Untitled - Electric Scotland

448 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xvi.
as was the direct work of the fund, its indirect results had
proved incomparably greater, in the intelligent sympathies
that were awakened, and the opportunity that was given
for their active exercise.
While the energies and sympathies of the laymen of
the diocese were thus enlisted, a totally new endeavour
was also made to organise, in a manner till then unheard
of, the scattered and disjointed work of such ladies as
should be willing to make themselves useful for a longer
or shorter period of the year in the poorer parishes of
London. The plan was Mrs. Tait s.
"
I remember -wrote the distinctly," Archbishop, fifteen years
afterwards, "her awakening me one night in our room in London
House, and unfolding the scheme of the Ladies Diocesan
Association, which had become impressed upon her mind ; and
she quickly set herself to work to have the scheme matured. I
must leave to others to describe the labour for which the matur
ing of her conception called. Her idea was that the great num
ber of ladies who, in London, are anxious to do distinct work for
Christ beyond
the limits of their own families in workhouse
visitation, and in hospitals, and in ministering to the wants of the
poor in their own houses might have their efforts better systema-
tised if they met together in one centre under their Diocesan."
The chaplains of hospitals, penitentiaries, and houses
of charity, and the clerks of Boards of Guardians were
communicated with and asked if ladies would be allowed
to visit their respective institutions. The movement was
at once successful. The special needs of particular
parishes in East London and elsewhere were by this
means brought to the notice of those able to give help,
and the ladies met for a religious service once a week in
London House, where the Bishop frequently addressed
them. 1 The Association, modified to suit new circum-
1 The first chaplain was the Rev. T. J. Rowsell, who was succeeded by
the Rev. W. D. Maclagan, now Bishop of Lichfield.