The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-05

membership dlfmniSHeu OF JUS Aeau anu
devotion declined 1t is still in the full
career of its usefulness and good works,
and now embraces a large majority Of the
ladies of our congregation. After many
changes, we are glad to think with what
excellent officers our guild is now bless
ed. Mrs. Simmons is president, Mrs.
Andrews is vice-president, and Mrs. Pc
gram secretary and treasurer. More
able and efficient officers could not have
been found.
The guild has been at all times ready
to cooperate with the rector in any good
work which he desired, and has never
failed to give him a cordial support IT
has been always mindful of the poor, and
it's bounty has reached many who needed
help.
We have not time to enter into Il de-
tailed history of what it has done. Suf-
flee it to say that it has fully vindi-
Gated the wisdom and devotion Of those
who organized it. and has accomplished
results which entitle it to a continued
existence and to the favorable considera-
ton of our whole parish.
One Of these results | desire particu
larly to mention--it has not only beer
Gated and developed in many a talent
for such work of which they We're little
conscious, and has thereby made then
better women, better members of society
and better Christians. And this | com
mend to the special consideration Of those
who are inclined to sheer at ladies' Sc
cieties.
The church debt having now been paid
the ladies. never weary i'll well-doing
have determined to give their aid, az
far as possible to the erection o. the
new church building When the ques-
ton was under consideration whether
the work should be begun at nm early
day, their earnest opinion was that &c
time should be lost, and that the work
should be begun as soon as possible. This
opinion of the ladies and their
promised aid had strong influence on
the authorities of the church. and prob
ably had as much to do with the early
commencement of the work as any other
one cause.
TO make their offer of aid more definite
they have pledged themselves to pay for
the marble pillars in the new church.
For this they had already raised nearly
n thousand dollars, but out Of this fund
they contributed five hundred dollars TO
aid in the removal of the old building
and to prepare the church lot for the new
structure.
| was requested to write a history of
st. Mary's Guild, but | hope ! may be
allowed a short DEPRESSION to speak of a
similar association formed by the young
ladies of the congregation under the title
of 1.-The Young Ladies' Guild" This
seems to me a move in the right direc-
ton, and it gives me pleasure to speak of
their zeal and energy. We have no
doubt that they will at some future day
worthhy FILL in st. Mary's Guild, the
place of those who have gone before.
/ cannot conclude this sketch without a
reference to some of those who labored
with us so successfully and pleasantly,
who have now ceased from their labors
and whose works follow Them"
''Friends have been scattered like roses
in bloom.
Some at the bridal and some at the
tomb
l hope l shall be pardoned a short ref
erence to some Of these.
Among the first TO pass away in the
full flush of matronly beauty and the
central figure of a most affectionate
home circle was Mrs. Richard Battle,
who had been one of our presidents,
and who was always one of our most
active workers.
Another of our presidents was Mrs.
Peyton Hervey whose life of devotion
was closed by death which was spoken
of to me by one who witnessed it as
most triumphant"
Mrs Argo whose bright, genial and at
tractive manner and ready wit gave so
much pleasure to all who knew her, was
also one of our most devoted and useful
members from the beginning to the time
of her death.
Mrs. Rosa Ashe, who joined our guild
soon after it's formation, was, as long as
her health permitted, most useful and
active member
None knew her but to love her
Or named her but to praise"
She likewise has passed to her reward.
Miss Jane Hawkins, the latter part of
whose life was clolIded by much suf-
fering which she bore with true Chris
tian fortitude, but the cradle of whose
declining years was so gently and ten
derby rocked by those nearest and dear
est to her, is another loss which we have
recently had to deplore.
On the whole, on reviewing the history
of our guild the work which ii has done,
the results which it has accomplished,
and the kindly Christian spirit which 1t
has promoted, we are more than ever
with the wisdom shown in its
and management, and COM
mend such societies to the favorable con-
sideration of the parishes of our church.
0F THE WOMAN'S AUXT.