The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-22
For the FAnHEn AND MECHANIC.
Guild Of the Holy Gross.

! mOUl0S ago IN the CITY OF 1itNS!at O.,
Ohio, by some good wemen OF that city.
| whose synpathies were drawn out to-
F, wards the large class Of sufferers who
are cut of by invalldlsm from the use
! tulness, companionship and pleasures of
an active life, and condemned to much
| loneliness, aud many privations aggra
vated too often by hard aud hopeless,
poverty. Many of these sufferers, whose
troubles have added poignancy because
ofthe continue. sense OF ofuselessness IN the
church, aud in the world, have abilities
that could be brought out and developed
If there was oply the means TO do SO.
Fingers lie idle perforce whose dainty
skill could enrich altar linen and vest
ments, or set many neat stitch in the
no less needed garments for the tiny IN
mates of Orphan Asylums, or engage
in many kinds of work that might be sold
and the proceeds furnish comforts for
the poor invalid, or go to swell the fund
of the association to be used for other
purposes of charity But in the one in
stance means are entirely lacking to get
materials for work and perhaps necessa-
ry instruction in the more delicate
branches and in the other. that of in
valids who have means, an intelligent
arousing and direction of their power
and desire to aid others.
The tender and thoughtful originators
of this Guild, filled with the pity for
these first, and believing that the second
would gladly listen to any plan by which
themselves and their means might be
utilized for the good of their fellow suf-
ferers, and for the church, from whose
work as from ber services, they seemed
to be cut off, organized this association
for the purpose of securing mutual
comfort and sympathy, and useful en-
ployment for invalids that they may not
feel themselves cut off from active work
IN the Church Militant, but may rather
use their leisure as given them of God
for the duty of InttrcesSion, and for the
benefit OF others Of His children who,
like themselves, are suffering bodily pain
audweariness. Obtaining the consent OF
that faithful servant OF God, the vener
able DIR. james A. Bolles, assistant
minister of Trinity church, Cleveland.
to act as Chaplain to the Guild. they
had small Manual of Devotions arrang
ed for the use of the members, and a
badge of mem bership was chosen, con
sisting of sGall but heavy silver cross,
having the monogram of the Guild en-
graved on one side. Upon the enroll
ment of each member, a Manual and a
badge is given free. The prayers and
irtercessions in the manual to be sid by
each one daily if pain anl illness per
nit The Cross TO be worn prtcdtely
and olsCays.
The meubers of this Guild we're to be
irvaEds only, and they are required to
''show mutual interest by Interchange
of books, patterns. and materials for
work. text books for study, pictures,
delicacies etc. Such exchange to be
effected chiefly through the Warden OF
the Guild.
The work of the Guild was also to
be directed by the Warden, under the
supervision Of the Chaplain, and to
whom the members were to ''communl
cate their several abilities and make re
quest ior such work as they desire, ''and
all mem bers who had strength and leis-
ure. might give their work to the object
selected by the Warden.
One OF the chiet features OF the asso
citation was to be Mtercessary Pray1:
Many member might, and probably
would have little to offer either OF
means, or Of skill, but none would be so
moor that they could not join their
voices in helping to swell the great or
can tone of Intercess,On that rolls cease
Iessly up to the throne of God from the
whole church.
'Intercession Papers were to be
sent monthly to the members, and they
would be expected to offer the interces-
siops contained therein as often as they
found to be convenient. The hope be
ing that each one, out of the depth OF
her own suffering would find sympathy
enough to prompt her to ctter them
daily. thus forming a chain Of tender,
sympathetic communion between each
mem ber of the Guild, ciasped with the
priceless jewel Of Gods promise given
u. through His son, the Great High
Priest, who offers our prayers unto His
Father when two OF you on earth
shall agree together as touching any
petition. it shall be granted of My Fa-
tber which is in Heaven"
! Although the members were to con-
si.t onlv of inva!ids, associates from
, among the able-bodied would be gladly
received for the duties of visiting the
members and helping the warden pro-
vide them with employment, and means
of entertainment.
The associates are not bound to use
the PRAYERS In the Manual save only The
Prnyer for tie Guiid, which must be
used daily. Neither do they wear the
. badge unless they especially desire to
, do SO. and then they must pay the cost
of the same. Persons belonging to
other churches may join the Guild If 90
desiring, being of course subject to the
rnles. and who that i. sick and sorrow
ful would not gladly enroll herself il
.uch an association if from no other
motive than to know that she is daily
nraved Tor, not generally as one of the
mvriads Of God s children. but speclt-
cally a. "a member Of the Guild OF the
Hoiv Cross by some of the hollest OF
His saints?
The Guild has 10 endowment. but i.
supported by the tree-will offerings OF
members, associates, and friends.
The founders Of the G. II. c. are deslr-
on. Of collecting Guild Library ''tol
the use of the members and associates, >
ard some friends Of the Guild have con
tr;hutod few books and pamphlets tC