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 5. 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 pocketmoney otherwise lavished sweets and pastry. Will they give a ag hand again? There are so many artic..s 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 Philo thespian 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.

No. 11.-VOL. V.

S. Mary's Convalescent Home, Broadstairs.

UR friends will rejoice to hear that S. Mary's Home is making satisfactory and rapid progress. It is only ten weeks since the foundation-stone was laid, now the third story is reached, and we are in good hope of roofing in during the winterat least part of that half of the Convalescent Home which is 'in hand;' for 'Slow and Sure' is our principle, and we only build according to the balance at our bankers.

We do not conceal the fact that we confidently anticipate beforehand the offerings. sent towards this great work, month by month. Some good people, we are aware, hold other opinions, and deem that we should. have all the money we require before we build. Surely not. Faith is one of the chief Christian virtues, and we should be wanting in the exercise of this virtue, if we did not believe that our LORD would put it into the hearts of men, to give of their gold and silver to complete this house for His suffering little

ones.

Shall the Church have less confidence than those without her fold? Shall Müller of Bristol build, establish, and maintain an Orphan Home, believing that God is not slack concerning His promise to find for

PRICE 2d.

those who seek, to give to those who ask; and we be less bold to dare for these little ones, signed with their Father's name?

We trust we do nothing rashly. We did not commence operations till the site was bought and there was 7,000l. at our disposal. Since then our hearts have been cheered with many goodly gifts. Three friends sent us 100%. each, another 200l., others have helped with sums varying from 50l. to 6d. Some have had sales of work, or collected for us such amounts as 40l. 3s. 6d.; 187., or 1s. 6d. The clergy, in answer to our appeals, have afforded the most generous and willing help. Many have devoted the offertory at the harvest thanksgiving to our cause, or given of their own private means if the parish was poor, or much weighted with local claims.

Such kind and encouraging support calls out much thankfulness in the past and in the present. For the future we will trust the good and gracious GOD who thus blesses 'the labours of our hands.' We appeal still in fullest confidence of success to those who have money to give, to those who have faith to pray, to those who have time and opportunity to work with us at Kilburn or Broadstairs, or in their own homes and neighbourhoods. Much may be done by outside help -in circulating papers, making our wants. known, by collecting-cards, by working parties, by gaining fresh subscribers to our magazines, &c., &c. It is the trifles which form the aggregate. Remember the old Duke of Wel

Μ

lington's apt remark as he gave a beggar a halfpenny on Waterloo Bridge :-'If every one who crossed this bridge did the same for you each day, you would be one of the richest men in England!'

Our New Wing.

O short a time ago as January 1879, we read in Our Work 'The walls of the new Home are beginning visibly to rise out of the ground.' Not three years have passed. Our children point to the wing now building, and call that the New Home, this the old.

Yes; the Orphanage for 160 children, which was opened June 1880, has not been found nearly large enough for the numbers of destitute little applicants whose sad claims are daily brought before us. So we rejoice that, through the kindness and generosity of friends, we have been enabled to commence a wing for the accommodation of 100 more 'waifs and strays.' Ay, more than commence -the building is fast progressing; the second story is begun; all that is done is paid for, and now we must plead for more money to finish our work.

Perhaps some may ask, 'Why should we give?' Let the little outcasts remain in the workhouses, or in the alleys and slums in which they were born. They are used to it; it is ridiculous to build a Home and institute a staff of workers to attend upon them.'

Let us look a little closer.

We may save these children now from lives of crime and sin, and so this is an argument which ought to affect our practical interestconsidering the vast expenditure entailed by the punishment of our criminal classes.

The words occur to us of a good man who, as he saw a felon on his way to the gallows, exclaimed, 'There goes John Bradford but for the grace of God.'

When we return thanks for creation and preservation,' do we ever make the words living words, by praising GOD that He has placed us amid happy surroundings, and preserved us from haunts of infamy and sin? But for the mercy of GOD, we might be as othersthieves, drunkards, murderers, and such like. Shall we whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high

not deem it a duty to deny ourselves some comfort or luxury in order that we may care for the bodies and the souls of those for whom CHRIST died? In this mysterious world we often cannot try to do good to the soul, unless we also try to better the body. Body and soul are united in a close and complex union. Clergy, Missioners, Sisters of Charity, may go to the dens of the very poor, up the narrow dark staircases, and preach to those who lie huddled together, some ten or sixteen in a room, but if they do nothing to help the poor suffering body, their words are indeed as sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.

Children are those to whom good can be most easily done; they can be trained in habits of discipline, brought up to earn their own livelihood; they are the true 'band of hope' of the English nation. We and others who work amongst the young say, 'Give us the children, and, by God's help, we will make our country better and happier!'

Again our critic is ready. There is some truth in all that you say, but what is one among so many? The 260 children you hope to have at Kilburn, the 100 convalescents you plead for at Broadstairs, and those in like institutions, are but as drops in the ocean.'

Quite true; therefore all the more need to collect drop by drop-to save souls one by one. If each Christian made it his object to save even one soul, what a different world this would be! There is too much tendency to view the poor perishing souls around us as a mass; we despair as we look at the thousands of ignorant and degraded ones who, in all their surroundings, seem like the beasts that perish.'

"

Do not generalise any longer, but go into

the slums of Westminster, or the low courts of Shoreditch, and there see the pale little ones who sit the whole day long in close, sunless dens, making up their tale of matchboxes, or clipping the fur from rabbit skins till their hands are covered with wounds. See the drunkenness, ill-usage, and blasphemy that goes on all around them, and then make a real effort to snatch one such child from its misery, and to have it brought up in a manner becoming the child of GOD and the heir of Heaven.

Do not despise the day of small things. Help one child, and, as you cannot take that child to your own home, help those who have established this true Home, to extend the blessings it has to offer, far and wide.

Let us never forget the dignity of almsgiving-of giving to Him who giveth ALL. How great is His mercy and loving-kindness in permitting us to make presents to Him! Oh, let us take advantage of His goodness while yet there is time!

Contributions gladly received byMiss HELEN WETHERELL, or, Miss A. M. THOMAS,

27 Kilburn Park Road, London, N.W.

Our Journal.

By the SECRETARY. EPTEMBER 11. -To-day we were cheered by receiving 40%. from an 'old subscriber' to Our Work-to be thus divided : Building-fund of Convalescent Home, 20%.; ditto, New Wing of Orphanage, Io; Mission at London Docks, 5; Free Breakfast Fund, 57.

An Offertory reaches us from over the sea and far away; it is from the congregation of St. Luke's Mission, Tomgoo, Burmah, and amounts to 37. We hear that the new Bishop

is most anxious to get really missionaryminded ladies (if Sisters cannot be had) to help him. Both in the Girls' School and the Orphanage there is a grand work to be done. Oh, how loud and urgent is the cry for more labourers in the vineyard, more devoted servants of GOD, to gather in the fruits of the Harvest !

A lady incloses a pair of cuffs, the first bit of handiwork done by her little girl Maude, which the dear child begged might be given to one of the Orphans.

Kind Words.-'I can't tell you the amount of pleasure it gives me to read your magazine, and I sincerely wish you "GOD speed" in all your useful undertakings. I think the Sisters are very much to be envied, in spite of their hard work.'

'I have great pleasure in sending you a cheque for 67. 6s. in aid of your General Fund. My prayers shall be offered daily for a blessing on your work' (from a priest).

'I inclose an order for 27. for your Orphanage Extension Fund. As I cannot do much towards it, I shall follow out your suggestion, and order several copies of Our Work monthly, to send among my acquaint

ances.'

'We should like to do a great deal for your work. Your card shall be filled and returned in a few days, and you shall have an offertory on Christmas Day. We feel deeply interested in children's work. I have for years been striving to rouse public attention to the subject of infant mortality.'

'I am sure you will be pleased to know that it is greatly owing to this publication. that so many ladies in this town are exerting themselves in mission work.'

'I shall be glad to become a member of the C. E. A. The rules are very easy, and I shall be glad to help both by my prayers and in every other way I can. I hope soon to adopt an orphan. I shall be in London shortly, and might then choose one.'

'I shall be glad to become a yearly subscriber of 17. Is. to your Orphanage. It is such an excellent institution, and appeals so strongly to one's sympathies. I was much