New-York tribune., 1901-02-20
IN THE LENTEN SEASON.
INCREASED ACTIVITY IN THE wOMEN's
SOCIETIES CONNECTED WITH
CHURCHES

Not many wears ago il was the fashion among
women 10 adopt some special form OF ''humilia-
tion" during Lent by way OF atonement for sins.
past and future That particular present, Of
course, to be occupied with good works
that Satan could find possible opening for mis-
chief while the pcntenual season lasted. The
OF a social leader. VINO every week Of Lent
some years ago, washed the altar steps Of her"
church, is in point. Attired IN the simplest OF
black serge gowns, she taken the church IN
her brougham. al an early hour. spotlessly new
pail, with water and soap awaited her the altar
steps. where. after laying aside her costly sable
wrap, she would drop her aristocratic knees and
humbly wash the dust from the cold marble
OF course, sexton and helpers sworn to
secrecy, and equally, OF course the incident leaked
out. to the deep SOY OF the penitent's friends.
That sort OF Leuten Observance is out OF date
now however and the fashionable sinners repent
them OF their sins in other ways.
The specially organized Lenten class is not so
popular in the churches formerly, but the estab-
hshed work always has decided increase in activ-
ity with the coming of Ash Wednesday. The
amount OF charitable effort put forth by the
churches is great ar all seasons but in Lent many
workers are added 10 the ranks who earlier IN the
season too much occupied with social engage
ments 20 give much time 20 the poor.
In the Church OF the Heavenly Rest, Fifth-ave.,
near Forty-fth-st there several societies that
viii profit by the increased leisure OF the church
members. The Dorcas and Employment Society
makes clothing Tor the children OF the chapel Sun
day school, and looks after the needy. II meets
in the Guild rooms every Friday morning.
The Domestic Missionary Society endeavors TO
supplement the inadequate salaries Of missiona
N the home field by gifts OF clothing and other
things necessary 70 comfort II meets for sewing
on Tuesdays the Guild rooms. Extra work is
always undertaken during Lent in order that a
large number OF boxes may be sent out for Easter.
ST. Bartholomew's. Madison-aVe and Forty
fourth-st among It's many societies for charitable
work, has several that VIII Increase largely in
activity after to-day. 81. Margaret's IS one OF
these II meets every Thursday morning al the
Parish House, no. 205 10 2l3 East Forty-secOnd-st.
70 for a variety Of home missionary objects
for special Easter boxes II Is composed OF young
women OF the parish. The Benevolent Society does
similar work for the poor OF the East Side. and
meets az the Parish House every Tuesday morning
This society makes a speciality OF maids aprons
which are sold at IS cents, and the members Of
the church get almost all their supplies OF that
article from this
81. Georges, Stuyvesant Square and Calvary,
FOurth-aVe. and Twenty -first-st. have similar
cleties. and many that call for other kinds OF SER
vice, such as teaching. reading and singing II
Is expected that this Lent will the usual access
~ volunteers IN every desired branch, well
N the sewing circles for city and domestic mis-
sons