Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/453

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

bishop or his representative, and sent forth for work in the diocese. The Bishop of Southwark is president of the college; the Bishop of Kingston visitor ; and the Rev. Canon Hough, the Vicar of Lewisham, warden. The treasurer is Charles Stone, Esq, The lady head reads prayers morning and evening in the chapel, and there is midday prayer for those at home. The particular work of each lady is chosen by the warden, after careful consultation with the head of the college. Breakfast over, the Greyladies sally forth in pairs to their respective parishes and respec- tive work, and all that they undertake is done on lines which harmonise with the methods of the incumbent of the parish. Parish Work They do every kind of parish work, except sick nursing. Some do district visiting, others provident collecting, while others hold mothers' meetings, classes, and clubs. Bands of Hope, and Sunday-schools. Others act as school managers, or serve on C.O.S. committees ; some help to prepare the less instructed women and girls for confirmation and communion, and hold a Saturday Church Catechism school for the little ones. Others, again, give short addresses during the dinner-hour in some factory or woodyard where women are employed, or direct a school for mothers. Only those who are working near the college are able to return for the midday meal. Morning, afternoon, and evening bring their appointed work to a Greylady, but matters are so arranged that there is no undue strain upon any. A lady who has had a very full morn- ing would rest a little after lunch, and a lady who had a full a fternoon and even- ing before her would not un- dertake arduous work during the morn- ing. Every lady has a complete day every week en- tirely free from parish work, and at her own com- m a n d . She has thus an opportunity for visiting friends, attending a concert or a matinee, or taking a day in the country. The Gieyladies are encouraged to foster artistic 431 RKLIOION talents, and a v?.riety of paintings and sketches by members adorn the walls of the college. Some arc p;ood photographers. In summer the ladies have parish tea- parties twice a week at the college for girls and mothers, and attend to their guests themselves. Country excursions are also arranged by Greyladies for working girls. Mr. Emerson Bainbridge lends his bungak>w at Seaford to the college, and some of the ladies take a party of girb there and live with them for a week. These summer outings have an admirable effect on the girls, and are a source of great pleasure to the Greyladies themselves. Indoor entertainments are arranged in the various parishes for those in whom the Grey- ladies are interested, and these give scope for the exercise of every sort of talent, and many probationers are astonished to find unknown hidden talents when they begin tc try to interest others. A Bu5Y Hive The admission to this busy hive of religious and philanthropic industry for resident members is £^0 per annum in quarterly payments. Ladies who are at work for only part of the year pay one guinea a week. When one considers the advantages of living in such an establishment, with full board and a separate room, the fees seem almost nominal. The central idea of the college is to afford ladies of leisure an opportunity to work for the good of others on community principles. Affiliated members are non-resident ladies who desire to promote by their prayers and their benevolence the work of the college. Great efforts are being made to pay off the loans advanced for the building extension. The Grey- ladies'Col- k ge was started in 1893. in two small houses, by Bis h o p Veatman. who wab suffragan bishop to the pre- sent Arch- bishop of Canter-

)ur>'when

c was at Roches- ter. H i s sister. Miss Yeat- A group of Greyladies taken X Miss Wordsworth, the on an annual festival day lady head of the college man. w hose memory is greatly honoured by Greyladies, was the first lady head. The college was estabhshed in its present beautiful quarters in 1907.