African Church was not missionary in her spirit. She thought of herself, her own wants. She forgot the parting injunction of her Master to preach the Gospel. If England ever ceases to do her duty to her childrenthe subjects of her beloved Queen-and to all mankind, she may have her candlestick removed, as was that of Africa.

I note from your publication Our Work, which I receive with great regularity, that your needs are very great for your immediate work; yet you try to remember us throughout the world, and God bless you for it!

must ask my friend to reduce the number sent.'

Though there are few falling leaves around us to remind us of the season, we Londoners are perfectly aware that autumn is upon us, and with the fresh, almost keen, morning air comes a waft of rcollection of the pleasures of the country at this particular time. Not the sporting pleasures, not the making of large bags-we do not look so far afield as this; our tastes are and were much simpler and less destructive, and connected rather with baskets than bags. Not to make a mystery of the matter, we confess that blackberrying is and was to us one of the most delightful of pastimes. And as such we still feel it, though now mingled with the pleasure (could we enjoy it) would come a sense of serious business-a desire to carry as much spoil away with us as possible.

For be it known that blackberries furnish a very favourite article of fruit to our London 'orphans.' It is a very wholesome fruit, too, and either for puddings or preserves is exceedingly welcome as a change from the usual routine of the dietary.

Therefore at this time we beg all kindly country-folk and active girls and boys to give up a morning or two to the hedges, and after blackberrying' their very best to send us as many quarts of fruit as possible, either in baskets or hampers, or, if some untiring cook or house-mother so chooses it, made up into jam.

We can promise these good fruit-pickers that the very moment their baskets arrive they will be pounced upon with the greatest eagerness and immediately transformed into puddings, while the surplus beyond the day's needs will be preserved with just sufficient sugar to make it last good for another day's dinner. Of course a very large consignment is properly preserved and potted (if the gardeners will allow us that term). Let no one, then, think we can be overdone with blackberries. It is impossible. We even prefer them, we think, to garden fruit, though no sort comes amiss to our hungry little colony,

and the sooner the hampers begin to arrive the better, for we know that the berries are shining on the hedges at this very moment.

And now a few words concerning a matter which touches us very nearly.

We were called upon last year by many of our friends to show some good reason why they had not the privilege offered them. of purchasing a Christmas Number of Our Work.

In reply we set up a, perhaps, rather lame defence, but registered a private resolve that, if spared another twelve months, we would make a vigorous effort to wipe out this reproach against our Magazine.

of

And this project has not gone the way many other 'good resolutions.' It is even now being put into effect; for already we are engaged in preparing a handsome Christmas volume of one hundred pages. This will contain original tales, sketches, poetry, &c., by different authors, and will be embellished by sketches and etchings, taken from life, and illustrative of the work of the Society.

This will involve considerable expense, and yet we hope to be gainers rather than losers by the transaction. We rely on the good, generous feeling of our many friends. to bring about this desirable result.

If by their united action they can ensure the sale of a very large number of copies, the sum realised by the book will be a material help to us in the present exhausted condition of our exchequer.

The price of a single copy of the Christmas Number will be Is., but those who order beforehand will be charged only 9d.—or, by bespeaking any number above six, 8d.per copy. To this must be added 2d. for postage.

The wide circulation of such a publication cannot fail to benefit the cause we all have at heart in a very real manner, and therefore we earnestly press upon our readers to cheer and help us by their cordial co-operation-by prompt and liberal orders for our Christmas Number.

We can promise them that it will be both attractive in form and interesting in substance, and that it will be a very pleasing and enduring memento of the charitable work in which they take so active a part. Orders should be sent in at once to A. M. Thomas, 27 Kilburn Park Road, London, N.W.

6

Autumnal chills seem to have pressed even more closely than usual upon the steps of retreating summer, and ushered in the long season of short days and long evenings.' Here in smoky, foggy London, as well as in other large towns, the twilight hours are many, when the eyes can no longer see the fine tracery of embroidery or the small stitches of ordinary work-hours when the fire attracts us to a cosy seat near its cheerful warmth-and in pleasant company one is apt to chat the time away!

But why should the hands be quite idle while the tongues are so busy? The work we would propose for them would in no wise mar the enjoyment of these social gatherings, but, on the contrary, would serve to enliven them.

We trust that the time is not very far distant when our Convalescent Home will be finished and opened, and we shall want quilts for 200 beds when that happy time. arrives. Who will provide them?

Here are now between three and four months of cold, dark weather, and what might not be accomplished in that time by two hours daily given to this employment by the readers of this Magazine!

Many of our friends have visited the Orphanage of Mercy, and one and all have remarked upon and admired the bright, beautiful quilts covering the Orphans' beds.

Then it is not our Convalescent Home alone, but the new wing of the Orphanage, which will have beds that need covering. We hope it may be completed next year, and then another hundred quilts will be needed, to say nothing of old ones which will need replacing, for quilts do not last for ever when they are in such constant use as ours! The

size needed is two and a half yards long and two yards broad.

We do not think any apology will be expected for our petition this time. We are sure many kind-hearted ladies will thank us for the suggestion of how to beguile the gloomy hours and leisure moments of autumn and winter.

*

Another proof of friendship has come, in the adoption of one more Orphan. One friend writes During the many years I have been knocking about the world I have seen much of the misery and sin caused by the want of such a Home as yours for poor girls; and having had so many blessings myself, I should like to show my gratitude to GOD by helping one of His neglected destitute children. If the small sum of 127. per annum can give me some sort of sense that I am doing something in return for all His benefits to me, I shall feel happier.'

Our correspondent goes on to say that he thinks a thankoffering should be lasting, extending, if it may be, through a whole lifetime, and he feels that 127. paid annually will be as a renewal of his thanksgiving every time it is paid. A good suggestive thought, truly, for us all!

The adoption of an Orphan is one great means of strengthening our Institution, and we have many whom we would gladly see sharing this privilege, before we undertake. the maintenance of the one hundred little new-comers who are to be housed in the Wing now being erected for them.

The

The young friends who are so busily engaged in collecting for the 'Children's Gift' will be pleased to hear that more than a third of the sum has been raised. scheme is becoming widely known, and we have daily applications for more cards; others are returned filled up, accompanied with such words as these, which we received the other day from a mother: 'My two little ones bring me every penny they have given them and say "Mammy, may I put a stroke on the card?" I think one cannot teach

at

children too soon to spend their money on those who want it, instead of on sweets and toys for themselves.' Another letter says: My nieces send you 75. 3d. for the Children's Ward Broadstairs. The children all take great interest in being of some help, and I think it is an excellent thing to interest them when young in such deeds of love.' A little girl, writing herself, says: 'I have tried to get all the money I can, and I hope this 14s. 4d. will help some poor little child to get quite well. My little brothers and sisters have all given their pennies, and even baby has sent 3d.'

And we must record another pleasant offering, sent through a mother, who says: 'My little girl has been anxious that her birthday gift should be given in money, that she might have the pleasure of helping towards the Ward, and therefore I enclose a cheque for 27. 10s. I think it is nice that children can in this way be led to feel that they can help their suffering brethren.'

Three Sunday-school children collected 145., and a little boy came in great triumph to give 3d. which he had earned by gardening. One little girl, who had filled one card, contrived to send another by levying contributions from some of the numerous visitors to her neighbourhood on Bank Holiday.

Such efforts as these are not only valuable for the amount of money which they raise; but far more so as little actions of loving self-sacrifice, of labour and pains willingly undertaken for the sake of CHRIST'S little ones, which actions we know are precious in His sight.

We would still impress upon our young friends the call to exert themselves to the utmost in circulating and collecting for these Children's Cards. Many of them, perchance, will visit Broadstairs at some period of their lives; and though it may be in years to come, surely the memory of the threepences and sixpences collected in their childish days will not have faded from their minds, but as they turn their steps towards the Convalescent Home which they have assisted to build, such reminiscences will lead them to

inspect with deeper and more personal interest the beds and their tenants in the ward entitled 'The Children's Gift.'

Some one writes to us: 'I see your Convalescent Home is dedicated to St. Mary. What a nice thing it would be if all your well-wishers of that name would combine to build a "Mary Ward"! I will gladly give 57. towards this object, if you think the suggestion practicable, and if you think others will follow my example and send their contributions for the same object.'

Does not this seem a very happy suggestion? We think a great many Maries would give it their cordial approval, and endeavour to produce the 57. either from themselves or their friends. If this be so, we shall be delighted to open a subscription list for the bearers of this honoured name. Perhaps before our next issue we may receive a sufficient number of communications on the subject to warrant our fixing upon the size and probable cost of this Ward, and we shall be able to select a room accordingly from the plan in our August number.

Dotices.

To those of our readers who are interested in Home or Foreign Missions, we cordially recommend a small and unpretending magazine, named Monthly Gleanings. The cost is only 2s. 6d. yearly, including postage, but as the magazine is only privately printed, application for copies must be made to the Editor, The Frythe, Welwyn. The numbers. for this year contain some useful articles on ecclesiastical matters, and others which would be helpful to home workers.

The missions or works of charity at home or abroad which find a place in Monthly Gleanings are those which are either little known, or which are in special need of help at the time. The claims of each are carefully investigated before they are noticed in the magazine.

AFTER CARE LADIES' WORKING SOCIETY, IN AID OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE AFTER-CARE OF POOR AND FRIENDLESS FEMALE CONVALESCENTS ON LEAVING ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE.

OBJECT. The object of this society is to assist poor female convalescents, after leaving asylums for the insane, with gifts of clothing, according to the special requirements of each

case.

The rules of the society may be obtained from the Assistant Secretary, Miss HAWKINS, Chaplain's House, Colney Hatch, N.

We wish specially to call our readers' attention to the form for the Women's Petition to Parliament against the Deceased Wife's Sister's Bill, which we have been asked to enclose with Our Work, and urge them to do all in their power to make it known, so that a large number of signatures (not less than 200,000) may be obtained.

Extra forms may be obtained at id. each, or 6d. per dozen, from Mrs. PLOWS, Hon. Sec., Barnham, Thetford.

THE Hon. Librarian of the C. E. Library is giving up the house in which the volumes belonging to this Library have hitherto been kept. She is therefore anxious to hear of some member of the C. E. A. who would be willing to take charge of the books until some other depôt can be found for them. They will fill three good-sized bookcases, and it would be preferable if one person could undertake them.

Should anyone be able and willing to accede to this request, will they kindly communicate with Miss WALKER, Eton House, Horley, Surrey.

We have been asked to insert the following notice :

Theodore Dodd, Esq., has very kindly offered to allow any of the clergy to consult books on Canon and Ecclesiastical Law at his chambers, 3 Old Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, W.C., whenever they like to apply.

THE Rev. J. F. Homan, assistant curate of Tisbury, Salisbury, is about to open a Lending Library for the district of Newtown. -population about 550. At present the Library consists of only sixty-five volumes published by the S. P. C. K. A few more books are greatly needed containing definite Church teaching, such as would be likely to attract and benefit agricultural labourers and their families.

Some bound volumes of the Penny Post, Leisure Hour, &c., would also be acceptable.

We have again to announce our Annual Sale of Fancy Work, &c., which is to take place in the middle of December. There will be a large assortment of Children's Clothing, and all manner of warm and pretty articles suitable for Christmas gifts for both rich and poor.

It has been proposed that the proceeds should be devoted to the extension of the Orphanage, for the plea to receive destitute workhouse girls becomes ever more and more urgent.

So we must beseech our friends to set to work at once, that there may be a wellstocked saleroom, and also to enlist the assistance of all who may be induced to give their time and handiwork for so good an object.

We have often been much indebted to the industry of schoolgirls, both of the upper and lower classes, who for this purpose have . given up some of the hours otherwise devoted to play, and some of the pocketsweets and money otherwise lavished pastry. Will they give a ag hand again? There are so many artics which, without involving them in much expense, would win

a ready sale; such as muffatees and scarves, pinafores and aprons, stockings and petticoats, besides others which their own ingenuity will suggest. We shall confidently look for many of these, and trust we shall not be disappointed.

An amateur dramatic performance, in aid of the funds of the Convalescent Home at Broadstairs, will be given by the Philothespian Club, at St. George's Hall, Langham Place, W., in December next, particulars of which will be announced later. We would ask all those who are interested in this most deserving cause to exert themselves on its behalf, by mentioning the fact as widely as possible and by getting their friends to mention it, so that the sale of tickets may be extensive. We may add that this course will effect a considerable reduction in the usual expenses of such charitable efforts, by dispensing with the necessity of inserting advertisements in the public newspapers.

The above Club is considered one of the best of its kind, so that we can ensure a most enjoyable evening for all who will patronise it. We shall be very glad to hear from anyone who would be willing to sell tickets, and to help us to make the performance a great success by securing a full house.

A Retreat will be held at the Home of the Sisters of the Church by the Rev. Gilbert Moore, beginning October 10 and ending October 14. Those desirous of joining should apply to the Mother Superior, Home of the Sisters of the Church, Randolph Gardens, Kilburn, N.W.