Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/106

94 curiosity, just as I was coming out of church with my ragged regiment, much depressed to think how little good I could do them, quite unexpectedly struck up that beautiful and animating anthem, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.'"

Then followed Yatton, where the curate was hearty in his assistance, and "that phenomenon, a pious farmer," brought them seven fine boys, all able to say the Catechism. There were three more at home, but before many months were over, the mother died; and on the ladies' next visit, they met the father at church carrying a young infant, and followed by all the other ten.

Cheddar had reached a second stage, though the spinning plan did not flourish, in spite of three sorts having been tried, and Miss More having gone herself to almost every clothing town in the county. Knitting was preferred for the supply of the stocking-dealers at Axbridge. Wages being only six shillings a week, a women's clothing club at three half-pence per week was found an immense benefit. There was an annual feast at the distribution of the garments bought by the subscriptions, a service, a sermon, and a tea, when a kind of journal of the past year was read, mentioning attendance at church, and whether there was less or more fraud, bad language, scolding, or sabbath-breaking. The club served further for a sick fund, and