Home, Wymering. As a Government grant has been made towards enlarging this Military Hospital, it is proposed to train up at once a number of additional Nursing Sisters, both for Hospital and Village nursing, provided that a sufficient fund can be raised for that purpose. The Sisters hope to be able to extend their labours to other parts of England, and are very desirous of special funds to enable them to do so.

Ladies of Charity; or, Associates of the Sisterhood of St. Mary the Virgin.

The general object of this Association is the promotion of true piety amongst the upper classes in regard to works of charity, devotion, &c., and it is thought that such a body of Christian ladies living in society, and yet directly connected with a religious community, must tend to promote such an object.

Thus, amongst other results, the Circular states that (a) It would prove a bond of sympathy from which works of charity by God's grace would spring. (b) It would offer to ladies an opportunity for occasional retirement from the world for special meditation, examination of conscience, frequent prayer, and reception of the Blessed Sacrament. (c) It would enable them to realize the more devoted life of those who have given themselves to Christ, and lead them in some degree to imitate such devotion at home

But, besides the general object thus contemplated in the formation of such an Association, there is a special work to be done for the Church, which gives to the Association a distinctive character and aim. The Sisterhood of St. Mary the Virgin keeps prominently in view one of the great wants of the day-namely, the training up a body of Nursing Sisters for Hospital or Village work. To this object everything is made subservient in St. Mary's Home. Thus the orphans are not educated by the Sisters for domestic service, but trained by them for the life of a Nursing Sister, provided Hospital work is thought to be their vocation, rather than school teaching or other Church work.

The only obligations imposed on ladies who associate themselves with this work are as follows:-1. To promote, so far as they can, the improvement of hospitals, especially in regard to the establishment in them of an order of Nursing Sisters. 2. To use all just influence in advising guardians and relatives who have charge of orphans to send them to St. Mary's Home, Wymering, and to induce ladies to go through a course of training in hospitals. 3. To visit the Home, if possible, once a year, with a view to a religious retreat. 4. To offer up a short prayer daily in behalf of the Sisterhood, and especially its work in hospitals. 5. To help with their own alms and influence others to subscribe towards the funds of the community.

Mission to Navvies.

On behalf of the navvies engaged on the new fortifications for the defence of Portsmouth Harbour, the contractors have allowed a certain sum yearly towards payment of the stipend of a chaplain, while the Government allow the use of a casemated battery as a Fort-chapel at Hilsea. The Rev. E. L. Blenkinsopp has charge of this Mission under the vicar of Wymering. The contractors have also given a donation

towards enlarging the School-chapel at Cosham for the use of their workmen. The vicar of Wymering has opened a free reading-room for the workmen, where evening classes also are held.

The following Societies have been unavoidably omitted in their regular alphabetical position.

ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE UNITY OF CHRISTENDOM.

(Established 1857.)

This Association has been formed to unite in a bond of intercessory prayer members, both of the clergy and laity, of the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican Communions. It is hoped and believed that many, however widely separated at present in their religious convictionswho deplore the grievous scandal to unbelievers, and the hindrance to the promotion of truth and holiness among Christians, caused by the unhappy divisions amongst those who profess to have "one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism"-will recognize the consequent duty of joining their intercessions for the healing of the divisions of Christendom. The daily use of a short form of prayer, together with one "Our Father," for the intention of the Association, is the only obligation incurred by those who join it; to which is added, in the case of priests, the offering, at least once in three months, of the Holy Sacrifice for the same intention. The Association consists of about 5,400 members, and includes Patriarchs, Bishops, Papal Prelates, archdeacons, diocesan officials, members of religious orders and communities (both Greek, Roman, and Anglican), as well as priests, deacons, and lay people. The only means undertaken to attain Unity is prayer. A paper containing the daily prayer, and mode of subscription on joining and a list of referees, may be obtained of the Secretary, the Rev. F. G. Lee, Fountain Hall, near Aberdeen, N.B.

THE CHURCH INSTITUTION:

An Association of Clergy and Laity for Defensive and

General Purposes.

During the last thirty years various attempts, both secret and open, have been made to sap and destroy the union which from time immemorial has subsisted in this country between the Church and the State. These attempts have called into existence the Church Institution. In accordance with the fundamental rules of its constitution, it seeks to "combine," as far as possible, Churchmen "of every shade of political and religious opinion in the maintenance and support of the Established Church, and its rights and privileges in relation to the State, particularly as regards all questions affecting its welfare likely to become the subject of legislative action; and generally to encourage the co-operation of clergy and laity, in their several districts, for the promotion of measures conducive to the welfare of the Church;" while it

is expressly provided, "That no question touching doctrine shall be entertained at any meeting."

In order, then, to combine the clergy and the laity in the defence of the Church, the Church Institution has been formed, having an organization co-extensive with that of the whole Church. The movement to which it owes its origin has been gradually acquiring strength in every stage of its progress. The Institution itself dates from a meeting of Churchmen of various opinions, held on the 8th of July, 1859, when it was resolved to support the measures already in progress in various parts of the kingdom for the establishment of ruri-decanal and parochial associations of clergy and laity, in town and country; and a provisional committee was then appointed, which at once proceeded to take the most active steps in furtherance of the movement. On the 19th of December following, a meeting took place at the Freemason's Hall, which was numerously attended by the representatives of deaneries and by lay consultees, and at which an executive committee was appointed to prepare a code of rules for the government of the Institution, and generally to carry out its objects. This committee at once entered upon their duties. After mature consideration the rules were framed : and having received the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury and several of the Bishops, they were, upon the 9th of March, 1860, laid before a general meeting of the representatives and lay consultees. After due consideration, they were unanimously and very cordially adopted. The Church Institution, although so recently formed, has not been without fruit. They have taken decisive and effective action in opposition to the Bill for the Abolition of Church-rates, and to that of Mr. Dillwyn, now happily defeated, for altering the constitution of Endowed Schools.

In order to carry out the objects of the Institution, and to frustrate the designs of opponents, petitions in opposition to injurious measures, and in favour of those which may be beneficial to the Church, are extensively distributed. Correct information on Church topics is publicly disseminated through various channels, oral and printed. Legislative measures in any degree likely to affect the Church are closely watched; and for these and other purposes, an able, experienced, and vigilant staff is employed. Secretary-Mr. G. Howels Davies. Offices-4, Trafalgar-square.

CHURCH PENITENTIARY ASSOCIATION.

35, Lincoln's-in-Fields, W.C.

A Society was formed in 1851, now well known as the "Church Penitentiary Association." It originated in a proposal made to the late Bishop of London, who in consequence convened a meeting of some friends of the cause at London House in the summer of 1851, followed by other larger meetings under the Bishop's sanction. A comprehensive plan was sketched out to aid in establishing and supporting two kinds of Houses—(1) Refuges or Houses of Penitence, of the first instance, into which sinners from the very streets might be at once gathered; (2) Penitentiaries or Houses of Penitence, of the second instance, situated in the country, to which the more promising cases might, after a certain amount of testing, be transferred from the Refuges, to receive a

more complete training. The object of the Association is not to found or superintend, but by grants of money to assist in the formation and maintenance of Penitentiaries and Refuges, if formed according to certain principles, in all parts of the kingdom. It is auxiliary to all such works, and forms a central bond of union between the various Houses and the many friends of the cause scattered in different places. The Association holds an annual meeting in London in the spring, commencing with the celebration of the Holy Communion. The Association numbers about 450 members, including fifteen Bishops.

Among the fundamental rules of the Association it is provided(1) that all Penitentiaries in connection with it should be managed by "self-devoted" women,-i.e., women receiving no pay for their services; and (2) that they should work under the spiritual control of a clergyman of the Church of England, licensed by the Bishop of the diocese. These two principles in fact form the bases on which the new system rests. The former principle is not enforced in the case of Refuges, but always in that of Penitentiaries. Secretaries--Rev. T. Wodehouse, and E. L. Birkett, M.D.

THE ECCLESIOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

This Society has for its object the "promotion of the study of Christian Art and Antiquities, more especially in whatever relates to the architecture, arrangement, and decoration of churches; the recognition of correct principles and taste in the erection of new churches; and the restoration of ancient ecclesiastical remains." It was founded upon the Camden Society of Cambridge, and assumed its present form in the year 1839, and consists of President, Vice-Presidents, Honorary, and Ordinary Members, of whom there are about 400, including several Bishops of the Home and Colonial Church, and other persons who are interested in the cause of Art Progress, both profossional and amateurs. The Society publishes a periodical every two months, called the Ecclesiologist, which contains articles on the various subjects of Ecclesiastical Art. The Motett Choir was for some time united with this Society; but in the course of last year, by a mutual and amicable arrangement, a separation was effected. The Society holds an annual meeting in the South Kensington Museum, where they also have a collection of ecclesiastical antiquities and models. Fourteen Societies professing the same objects in the provinces have been admitted into union with the Ecclesiological Society. President-A. J. B. Beresford Hope, Esq. Hon. Secretary-Rev. B. Webb, St. Andrew's, Wells-street, W.

IPSWICH CHURCH INSTITUTION.

This Institution has been recently founded, under the conviction that "the only way really to deepen the hold of the Church upon the hearts of Englishmen is to increase her practical efficiency; to develope her inward life, not merely to claim for her the right to be the spiritual guide and mother of our people,-but to exhibit her as aiming actually to become so": also that "there is need of a larger mutual co-operation among Churchmen."

The Institution therefore aims at the practical developement of the efficacy of the Church; and promotes this object by the establishment of a Church-library and Reading-room, the circulation of suitable periodicals, and the formation of classes for conference, instruction, and recreation. Every member is a communicant, and is bound to engage in some Church work or other. The unity of the Institution is cemented by their daily intercession on behalf of the Church in general, and of their own particular work for her.

THE LONDON ANTI-PEW SOCIETY.

12, Bucklersbury, E.C.

This Society, which held its first meeting on the 18th of July, 1859, is established "to use every moral effort to procure the free and unappropriated use of parish and other Churches." The Society hopes by this means to mitigate the great evil, accruing to the Church, of allowing an invidious distinction between rich and poor, which exists in all Churches, of appropriated sittings. The Society has published several papers which have given rise to discussions, and have brought the important matter which the Society has in view more prominently before the public.

For the purpose of further carrying out their object, the Society has resolved, if possible, to establish a fund for the assistance of clergymen and others who have rendered their churches free and unappropriated; hoping by this means to have sufficient resources to allow them materially to assist those who are desirous of building churches to be free, as well as others who wish to render churches already erected, open and unappropriated. The effects of the working of this Society are already felt. Seven churches in London have abolished their pews and pew rents since the establishment of the Society, and ten new churches have been built on the same principle.

The Society numbers upwards of four hundred members, and holds its meetings every month.

Hon. Secretary-H. B. Ffarington, Esq.

MISSIONARY STUDENTSHIP ASSOCIATION

For the Diocese of London, 79, Pall Mall, S W. This Association was formed in the year 1859, for the purpose-1st, of seeking out duly qualified persons, from the diocese of London, desirous of being prepared for Missionary work in Foreign Parts; and, 2ndly, of providing funds for the maintenance, wholly or in part, of such as need assistance, during the required course at St. Augustine's College, Canterbury. The first student was sent in September 1860, and a second in January 1861, and a third in September 1862, and henceforward the Committee hoped to have three students always at College. The allowance for each student is 351. a-year, and it is hoped that the sum of 1057. a-year may be raised for such an important work as enabling the Church to avail itself of the zeal and energy of a class of young men who, a few years ago, would have found no opening for them as Priests in the Church in England. Hon. Secretary-Rev. B. Belcher.