THE GUILD OF THE BRAVE POOR THINGS OF BRISTOL, ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 86

THE GUILD OF THE BRAVE POOR THINGS OF BRISTOL, ENGLAND.

(Repeated from Otago Witness of April 26.) From time to time the- readers of this page have shown in a practical way their interest in the suffering and bereaved whose lives have come into contact with ouis. This week I am going to bring before the notice of all my readers a noble work, for which I am going to ask their help. A year or two ago a friend of mine travelling in England visited tjbe Churchill Holiday Home for Cripples, in connection with the Guild of the Bravo Poor Things of Bristol, in England. It seems a strange name to vou, nerhaps; it is taken from a book by Mrs E'wing, "The Story of a Short Life." The little hero of this book, Leonard', was himself a sufferer, and kept a record of, all . the other poor sufferers he knew, whom he called his "Brave Poor Things." This idea of his bore fruit, 14 years ago, when a guild, or union, as we might call it, was formed, not of all the people belonging to a certain church nor of all the people belonging to a certain trade, as wo know guilds and unions, but simply of those whose common bond was the bond of suffering. There were men and women., big children and little children, but all alike in this, that through being blind or crippled or maimed they were cut off from many kinds of work and pleasure that we can all take part in without ever thinking that we are fortunate. At first this guild began very modestly/ and simply held fortnightly meetings for • its members, at which they were able to enjoy some social intercourse with other afflicted people, and with friends who were anxious to give them pleasure. They had games and magazines, and a comfortable meeting room, and probably tea and cakes, although the report does not tell me' that. For many of them these fortnightly meetings were the brightest spots in their weary, pain-stricken lives. I should like to quote to you some of the grateful remarks that these poor cripples have made to Sister Ada, the lady in charge; perhaps on another occasion I may be able to publish one or two lettera from guild members, but to-day it will be enough if I give you a general idea of the work. The report goes on to tell how other developments have come from the small beginning 14 years ago. "Besides the guild gatherings lor social intercourse, for fellowship, and happy work, much else has grown out of that first small meeting long years ago. One thinks with a sinking" heart of our Country Holiday Home at Churchill; of the apprenticeship work for our crippled boys and girls; of the various handicrafts we have been able to teach some of our less helpless members. There are classes held on ' other days than guild days, all spelling help and hope, friendship and cheer; evening clubs for our boys and giirls at work; a basketmaking class for the blind; temperance meetings; a hand-bell-ringing class. "What is the sum of it all, do you ask? What has been actually done?_ \ Well, to have made a great many crippled boys and girls self-supporting who else would certainly have come on the rates —to have given to these the good joy of work and independence is surety no small matter. To have helped others, if not to be entirely self-supporting, yet to earn through, some handicraft something towards their own supports—this, too, is work greatly worth the doing. To have brought colour and cheer and hope into grey, sad lives, and the guild has done this again and again; to have helped little children to laugh, to be glad of life, as they have played for the first time in their lives in country places, around them fair growing things, singing birds, and blue skies; to have given to them and to older people too, throug'h the country holidays, new strength, a new chance in life—it is because the guild doe 3 these" things that we want you to help us all you possibly can and help, also, to interest others in cur work."

Now T know that this is only one of many deserving institutions, but it just happens that this particular one has been brought specially under my notice, with a request for help. Such' a call is one that I dare not disobey. Now what do yoai think that you and I, dear Little Folk, can dp to help? I think you will wish, like m>a. to do something for all these poor crippled suffering people- who are trying, in spite of their suffering, to live up to a noble Latin motto "Laetus sart'e mea" (Happy in my lot), and to be soldiers at heart through all the poverty and pain. Many of them _spoak in their letters of baing "laetus" ; they are so proud of their motto. And Jhcir device—that is, the little picture accompanying the motto —is a crutch and a sword, crossed—the crutoh to show suffering and the sword to show the soldier's courage. The friend who has brought the guild under my notice sent Home a hamper of Christmas presents last year, and a gift of money to accompany it. The hamper was just a box containing useful articles of olothing that she had made or collected from friends. She received most touching letters of thanks from the recipients, and a letter from Sister Ada expressing the warmest gratitude on behalf of them all. Now, the question for us is—How can wo help? At the end of her report Sister Adla says: "Miss Nora Cough and her pupils most generously gave the rruild a very joy-bririgfng dinner last Christmas

Day. Will somebody this Christmas repeat the kindness and offer to bo the Poor Tilings' host or hostess? And will many help us by sending' Christmas presents? New clothing for men, women, half-grown boys and girls, and littlo children. Also story-books, toys, and' games for the Christmas-tree. I am hoping to have many parcels sent to me, Severn House, Siieyd Park, not later than December 14." And j then Sister Ada goes on _to speak of the • great effort they are making to get a hall of their own for meeting. It will be a very costly undertaking in a big city like Bristol, but she hopes that some day they will have money enough collected, in big and small contributions, from friends to build a hall. They have been able, in the course of the 14 years, to buy the Convalescent Homo at Churchill, the farm where they send the Poor Things for a fortnight cr so of country life; and through owning this place they' have been able to bring untold joy into many sad lives. Now they are working to realise the still larger dream of building a Guild Hall in the city, which will be their own to use every day and night, and where the Brave Poor Things will be al>le to come at any hour. Now, that shows us two ways that we can help—(l) By a gift of clothing; (2) by a gift of money. During the winter months that are just coming for us, I think many a warm and useful article could be made | by girls who can sew or knit or crochet, and the bovs, perhaps, could buy the materials for their sisters to make, or send money to be spent by Sister Ada on Christmas presents, or to go to the Building Fund. For garments, I should suggest knitted jerseys, singlets, mufflers, petticoats, stockings, cuffs, and gloves, or crochet articles of the eame kind; flannel petticoats, singlets, shirts, nightshirts, and nightdresses, girls, dresses of any warm stuff, and jackets for invalids to wear in ,bed. I shall be very glad indeed to take charge of anything that is sent in, either in money or clothing, and shall let you know later on by what date all articles | must be in so that the parcel can be sent to reach Sister Ada. in . good time for Christmas. I should like to hear how many are willing.to make things, so that I shall get some idea of the response that this has, called forth; eo perhaps you will write quite soon and let me know' what you intend to do. I think it would also be a good thing if you set yourselves a certain time in which to get the work finished. For instance, a girl who can sew might; say, ''l am going to make a flannel pettiooat, and I shall send 1 it to you by the end of May." Or another, "I shall knit ! a pair of stockings for a boy of 12, and I shall send them by the end of July." And the boys who can make little carved wooden toys, or net or sacking hammocks could send me something of that sort; I know they would be very gladly received. Now, 1 leave the rest to ycii, Little Folk; no appeal has ever yet been made to you in vain, and this one, I am sure, will go straight to your hearts. DOT.