Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/452

 RELIGION 430 THE GREYLADIES' COLLEGE WOMEN WORliERS By SARAH A. TOOLEY Philanthropic Work of the Greyladies— How the College was Founded— The Private Chapel- Country Excursions and Entertainments IN these days when so many women of leisure devote their time to religious and philanthropic work, the Greyladies' College for Women Workers affords a use- ful centre for residence and mutual help and fellowship. There is nothing grey about it save the name. It is a delightful country house, once the mansion of Lord Dartmouth, and stands on the breezy heights of Blackheath, in the midst of its own beautiful grounds, and with far-stretching views over the sur- rounding country to the Crystal Palace. The lady head of the college is Miss Susan Wordsworth, a very earnest Churchwoman, daughter of the late Bishop Wordsworth, and sister of the present Bishop of Salisbury. A worker must have herself well in hand. She must be healthy-minded and sensible with regard to food, rest, and recreation, and un- faihngly hopeful. She must be content to work on quietly from day to day without looking for or expecting praise for what she does. She must not try to draw those amongst whom she works to herself personally, and it is deemed better that parish relief should be distributed by an almoner ap- pointed by a relief committee, and not by a Greylady. The great aim of the Greyladies' College is to bring together lonely women working in isolation without a definite plan, and also women who are possibly daughters in a large family and find it difficult to separate themselves from social distraction in order to follow religious and philanthropic work. It becomes a great happiness to such to be associated with people who are trying to make the world better. Many women emerge through such association from a life of narrowness and emptiness into one of breadth and satisfaction. The college is described as a society of ladies living together for the purpose of helping in the work of the Church of Eng- land under the incumbents of the diocese. The bishop of the diocese has ultimate control over all its affairs. The Greyladies work in twenty-two parishes in South London. There are three classes of members — resident members, non-resident members, and affiliated members. The resident and non-resident members wear the same dress, and are under the same authority. Three months' probation is re- quired before admission as a member of the college, during which time the proba- tioner works under the direction of a Grey- lady of experience. It may happen that a candidate proves unsuitable for community life, in which case she is advised accordingly, because her admission would interfere with the harmony of the college. It need be no disparagement to the lady personally if she is found unfit for the life of a Greylady. Each lady has her own room, and may, if she wishes, bring her own furniture. Many of the rooms are delightful little sanctums, most artistically arranged. There is nothing ascetic in the college, and every effort is made to make it as homelike and pleasant as possible. There is a large A Greylady in her room at the college drawing-room for general use, and a pleasant, comfortable dining-room. The flower gardens and conservatory afford interest to ladies who are fond of horticulture. The private chapel is a beautiful little sanctuary of which the Greyladies are justly proud. It is a part of the new wing added in- 1906. The three altar panels of the Resurrection were painted by one of the ladies. The lovely piece of old lace which decorates the altar table was picked up by another of the ladies in a market place in Normandy. The three windows above the altar represent Simeon and the Christ- child, with the Virgin and Anna on either side. The service of admission takes place | in the chapel after celebration of the Holy Communion. No vows are required of ai probationer, but she is asked four questions | as to obedience to authority and personal^ devotion before she is admitted as a member of the college, and after she has satisfactorily answered these questions she is blessed by the