J'<\- ^5^ ^O 
 
 I OCT v^^ 
 
THE CHURCH SISTERHOOD, 
 
 TORONTO. 
 
 The Committee charged with the fuitherance of the 
 Chinch Sisterhood, desire to bring before the Members of 
 the Church at hirge, a brief record of its history for the 
 past — its prospects for tlie future— and woaUl gladly enlist 
 their sympathies and assistance on behalf of the much-needed 
 work to which this benevolent community devotes itself. 
 
 I. The Committee wish that it should be distinctly un- 
 dei'stood that the Sisterhood is not a Parochial Institution, 
 and (as the record hereunto attached, plainly shows,) extends 
 such good otiices as its Members can fultil to all who stand in 
 need of help, irrespective of creed, sex, circumstances, or lo- 
 cality. There is a not unnatural tendency to call the commu- 
 nity "The Holy Trinity Sisterhood," in consequence of its hav- 
 ing its houie in that Parish, and the Rector- Assistant there- 
 of being for the present its Warden and Chaplain. But the 
 hope is entertained that in course of time it may grow in 
 strength, numbers, and usefulness, until in future years it 
 may extend its labors of benevolence far and wide, not 
 through this Province oidy, but throughout the whole Do- 
 minion. It would manifestly be better to have one great 
 Sisterhood for the Church in Canada, than to found a num- 
 ber of small and feeble communities. A name therefore which 
 would in some measure indicate this widely extended and 
 non-parochial cha^ acter would be desirable. Now, certain 
 names have a national significance : as St. George for Eng- . 
 land, St. Patrick for Ireland, St. Andrew for Scotland, St. 
 Denis for France. Canada was discovered on the Festival of 
 
2 (HrRCH hilSTERHOOiJ. 
 
 8t. John tlie Baptist, and lienee his name haw in a nu-asure 
 become simihirly associated, not with any specifil locality, 
 l)ut with the country at large. Hence it has been suggested 
 that the community should be known as " The 8isteuii()0]> 
 OF St. John the Baptist." 
 
 II. This Sisterhooil having special duties to peiform, must 
 have a s}>eciai luiifonn by which both its Members and 
 others may )je kept mindful of their character and work. 
 Expeiience has shown that a grave distinctive di-ess is an 
 absolute necessity, in order to secure for the inmates of the 
 House that protection and respect which is needful in the 
 discharge of their work. While this dress is sufficiently 
 distinctive to secure these ends, it is not such as is likely to 
 give offence oi" uiuiecessarily to excite j)rejudice. 
 
 III. Although counnenced 1)V a lady from En<j;Iand, to 
 whom we shall always owe a debt of deep gratitude, the 
 communitv has now become and is intendeil to remain a 
 purely Canadian Institution. The diffei-ence in ecclesias- 
 tical, atmosphere, social customs, and conventional habits, 
 which has in course of time grown up between this and the 
 mother country, is noAV tcx) strongly marked to render the 
 employment of English Sisters desirable for anything beyond 
 the mere initiation of the work, even supposing their ser- 
 vices cmikl be obtained. 
 
 IV. The need of such works of mercv as the ^Members of 
 this community discharge, is very urgent, and the calls 
 made upon them have been too numerous for them to re- 
 spond to fully. The bi-ief notice of their work (heixnnito ap- 
 pended) for niiu; months of the past year, during a con- 
 siderable part of which there were but two ladies in the 
 Home, will show how much may be done by systematic and 
 devoted woik 
 
 V. A (.'anadian ladv, the daughti'r of a ( 'lergvman, well 
 
rHrR«n sisTnTJiioon. 
 
 known in this countiy, has consoute«l to tak*> chai-«4e of" the 
 Home and the work connected with it, aided by a valuaV)]e 
 jind earnest worker, who lias been with lis for nearly a yeai-. 
 There are other ladies who have l)ecome " Associates " of the 
 House, an<l who. though living in their own homes, give a 
 certain portion of their time to such works of the H>nininnity 
 ;»s they are com]ietent or disposed to undertake. 
 
 VI. The rules are of a simple character, always open to 
 moditication by a vote of the conmuinity, and involriiuj nn 
 o/digation of a pennnneid charficfer : though of course, should 
 hwlies wish to sever their comxection with the House, they 
 would be e.vpected to give such reasonable jiotice :is Mouhi 
 prevent inconvenience, or confusion in the work. 
 
 YII. As regards the future, it is ]>roj>osed to carry on 
 works similar to those referred to in the recoi-d heieunto at- 
 tached, as far as the strength, number, and means of the 
 community will permit. If those nunibers and means could 
 l)e increased, a Ward for cases re(piiring special Medical and 
 Surgical treatment would at once be opened ; for this their 
 is very urgent need. A case recently occulted niieiv u 
 valuable life was lost, after a successful surgical o])eration, 
 simply from the want of etficient conscientious nursing. It 
 is also hoj)ed that ere long " a Eefuge for Destitute Women," 
 aftbrding shelter till their circumstances could bt' properlv 
 investigated, will l>e added to the Institution, 
 
 VIII. Thr<mgh the liberality of a gentleman of tliis citv- 
 land has been given whereon a j»ermanent Home for the 
 Sisterhood (together with such other buildings as miidit be 
 requisite for the ctirrying on of their various works of 
 charity,) can be erected whenever (lod by His (lood Sj)irit 
 moves the hearts of His peoj)le to add to the small buildiiu; 
 fund which now exists, sufHciently to warrant the uuder- 
 takiuir. 
 
4 cm UC'II SISTERHOOD. 
 
 The Committee therefoi-e would earnestly appeal to their 
 fellow Members in the Cliurch thronghout the country, for 
 aid in s\ipport of this good work, either by contributions 
 towards its ]>resent maintenance or the erection of its per- 
 manent Home. Ladies who have any idea of devotins: 
 themselves to such a life, would, with proj)er introfluctions 
 be gladly received as pro))ationary visitors for a month or 
 so. They would thus see the working of the House, and ;;ii 
 parties coul<l judge more correctly regarding the leasil)il!ty 
 of entenng the community for a longer j)eriod, which, of 
 coui-se, must be done by mutual consent. Othere who may 
 be precluded from such a .'ueasuie of pei-sonal service, but 
 who are nevertheless anxious to assist those who are in dis- 
 tress, might become ^' Associates " of the House, and under 
 the direction of the Sister-Su])erioi' give such time as they 
 can j)roperly sj)are from othei duties to good works among 
 the })oor and suffering ; thus giving to their benevolent 
 eflbrts a unity and system which they would otherwise lack. 
 Others again might assist most materially in alleviating 
 misery in its miiltitudinous forms by placing in the hands of 
 those who devote their lives to its investigation and relief, 
 some measure of those pecuniary means Avliich from want of 
 knowledge are so often misa})plied, and therafore worse than 
 wasted. 
 
 It may be well to add, that the obligations a sumed by 
 *' Associates" of the House, are in the main, as follows : 
 
 1st. To use at their daily devotions, and when possible 
 at the Holy Communion (of which they are supposed to be 
 regular partakers), a short prayei* for the community and 
 its work. 
 
 2nd. To assist in carrying out that work in any neigh- 
 borhood where they may happen to reside, by devoting to it 
 such houi-s in the week, as can be properly spared from other 
 duties. If in Toronto, to do their work in connexion with 
 
(HnRfH SISTERHOOD. 5 
 
 the House, and under tlie direction of the SiHter-Su])erior ; 
 if not resident tliere, to avail themselves of such suggestions 
 as she m».y offer, concerning its details, as may oe found 
 applicable to the cir3umstauces and situation. (Note — Asso- 
 ciates of the, llonse are not required to visit cases of coiUagious 
 disease ; nor lO sit up at night, unless the latter is done as an 
 act of i^oluutart/ kiiulness.) 
 
 3rd. To endeavour by all lawful means, to interest others 
 in the woj-k, to make known its existence as widely as they 
 can, and to obtain from the members of the Church, when- 
 ever ])ossible, their jirayers, their personal assistance, and 
 their pecuniary offerings. 
 
 4th. Although no obligation of the kind can be laid uj)on 
 Associates, yet it is much to be desired, that when possible for 
 thctnsalve:?, and when convenient for the House, they should 
 pay a short visit for some such pario 1 as Advent or Lent — 
 Conforming to visitors' rules, and taking part in the regulai- 
 daily devotions and work. — See last page. 
 
 b\A\. Any lady >>ecomiug an " Associate " of the House 
 and afterward:} removing to another country, and thus pre- 
 vented by distance or other circumstances, from working for 
 this House, shall hi at liberty to carry on her work in coa- 
 nectiou with a.^y religious house in her neighborhood, wdiere 
 it mav be convenient or advisable for her to do so. 
 
 N O T K . 
 
 Memorandum of work done by the Church Sisterhoo;!, 
 Toronto, during the past nine mouths, condensed from the 
 House Record. 
 
 I. Upwards of twenty special cases of extreme sickness, 
 contagious and otherwise, atteiided till recovery or de:ith, 
 involving a large amount of toil, danger, and watching — 
 reaching in one case nineteen nights. (Details entered and 
 may be referred to in the House Record. 
 
U ( lit j;( II sisTKiinooi). 
 
 Til order tliiit [loople iii;iy form some idea of tlicse Ciisos. 
 the detiiils of a frw of them are suhjoiiuMl. 
 
 1. Mrs. — — ■, a i»()or dusorted friendless woman utterly worn out 
 M'ith niu>ing a sick child, dying <»f c!»ii.suini»tion. One of the (.'(im- 
 munity sat up with the chiLl, in order to give the mother rest, and 
 nursed it until its death, attended to the laying-out of the Ixtdy, and 
 accompanied the inotlier to tlij grave ; securing her m(»st grateful 
 tlianks for sympathy and aiil given at such a tiuu. Daring tiie ill- 
 ness of the child, food and medicine were provided from tlie House. 
 
 '2. A severe and prot. Ticted case of Tyjdioid Fever. Owing 
 
 to the fear of contagion, there was great difficulty in ol)taining helj> 
 in nursing. One of the (,'ommunity took charge of the case, and 
 nursed the jiatient until death, <il)taining the approval of the 
 medical attendant, and the warm acknowledgements of the family 
 of the sufferer, who ])elonge<l to the higher class of society. 
 
 li. Mrs. , a chronic case of a hopelessly inciirahle character. 
 
 ( 'oustantly visitetl for months, cared for and made as conifortalde as 
 circumstances would jtennit. It would he difficult to convey any 
 idea of the niiserj' which unavoidably marked this household. 'J'he 
 hushand liefore going to his labor, had to provide his own food, and 
 that for his helpless wife and young children ; after which the house 
 was left unavoidably to take care of itself, the mother lieing unable to 
 lift her hand. Dinner was sent fnmi the House, almost daily for 
 months, and much (h)ne by all the ladies to alleviate the wants of 
 the poor patient. The husbands w.irk having rendered necessary 
 their removal to a distant part oi the town, it is no longer possible 
 to aid them as in the past, and one of the Clergj' having since called 
 upon the sutierer, she expressed her deep sense of the great loss she 
 has sustained in no lon^jer having the ctmifort of " the dear Sisters," 
 on whose heads she invokes every blessing. 
 
 4. .Mrs. , a jxior worthy W(mian. trembling on the verge of 
 
 <leatli, and placed in cii'cumstances of most bitter trial, mental as 
 well as ))odily, was nursed l)y two members <if the Community, wlio 
 sat up, night after night, in a most miserable place, during the most 
 severe weather, of one of the severest winters we have had for years. 
 Food, medicine and comforts were sujiplied from the House. She 
 recovered, beyond expectation, and it is not saying too much, to 
 affirm that under (Jod, it was in no small measure due to the care 
 and kindness of the Sisters ; one of whom suffered severely in con- 
 setjuence of the labor and exposure involved. 
 
 ."). in a miserable yard, in tlie rear of street, a bad case of 
 
 complicated disease was found ; the man old and feel)le, the place 
 wretched and filthy to an extreme ; the wife of dimlitful steadiness, 
 and wholly unalde to care for the patient. One of the ladies, resi- 
 dent in the House, took charge ; did something to make the room 
 <lecent, sat up Mutli him at night, took him his meals and other com- 
 forts, ami finally liy great exertions got him into the ?Tos])ital, to 
 tile saviiiu; of his lift.'. 
 
( III KCII SlSTKKIIOoK. 4 
 
 6. A young man without friends ur relatives in tlii.>< country 
 
 aiul evidently lielonginj; to the ligher chist^es, met with a severe ac- 
 citlent when engaged in unaeeuscomed work. Ampntation of a limU 
 liecame necessary. Moititicati- a set in. Lockjaw Hn{»ervene.l, and 
 death followeil after nnich sutVering. ( hie of the inmates of the House; 
 spent the ten days of his illness in constant attendance upon him, 
 Hitting up at nigiit antl <h)ing all that Christian sympathy and atten- 
 tion could tlo to alleviate his sufierings, to promote his comfort and 
 to lessen the feeling of utter loneliness which oppressed him, as a 
 Htran"er <lying among strangers. The case was one of consitlerahle 
 interest, and the attention he received has been acknowleilged with 
 the deepest gr.titutle by his sorrowing friemls in Knghind. 
 
 7. Mrs.— , the wife of a laboring man. This was one of the 
 
 most trying cases which has come under the care of the community. 
 'i'he sufferer's malady was well nigh hoijele.'^s, ar.d re(|uireil a good deal 
 of nerve to manage. One of tlie communitj, who has done much goo«l 
 work in this wa\', undertook the cavse, and sat up altogether nineteen 
 nights while in attendance upon her. Though in a very distant 
 part of the town, the Sister continued her care of the patient until 
 her death, when she was compelletl to seek a few days t)f well earn- 
 ed and much needed rest. 
 
 8. Mrs. — , a bad case of typhoid fever. During a week of 
 
 very severe illness, one of the comnuinity sat u]> with her, getting 
 some one to take her place while sne got some needful rest. She was 
 with the patient when she die<l. The fear of infecticm was so great 
 that no one — not even her own relatives would touch the i. )dy. The 
 Sister in charge of the case ha<l to arrange matters as tlecently as 
 .she could, but from causes unnecessary to mention, she was physic- 
 ally unable to do all that she desired. 
 
 II. Niglit Schools, 4 nights in a Mt^ek. 
 Boys, '2 nights — Nos. 4() 
 
 (rirls, -2 uiifhts — Nos. 24 
 
 '»■ 
 
 Total, 70 
 
 1 1 J . JXuvas kSociotv — The ladies of the cono;regation met at 
 the Home and in addition to their work the inuuites collect- 
 ed mnch cast oft' clothing, and vere enabled to aid in thi.s 
 way ahout one hnndred persons. 
 
 I V . Between two and tliiee hundied diiniers have been 
 prepared and sent out from the Home to persons in sickness 
 and distress. 
 
 V. A large number of tickets for bread and meat have 
 been given to peisons in want, to whom other assistance 
 coidd not ])('- in manv cases — .safelv aiven. 
 
8 CHURCH SISTERHOOD. 
 
 VI. A large amount of medicine and medicul cumloits 
 luive been given, in ciuses of transient sickness. 
 
 VII. A. sewing-class for young girls luis met for some time 
 once a week, and is fairly attended. 
 
 VIII. An attempt has l>een made to organize a " Mother's 
 Meeting," tut the idea is not yet familiar to our jjeoj)le, an<l 
 it will require another season to secure any gi-eat 'rieasui-e 
 of success. 
 
 IX. Regular distiict visiting, collecting for the clothing 
 and fuel club, and generally, trying to influence the people 
 for good. 
 
 Among the poor, prejudice has died out, and its place is 
 taken by respect and gratitude. It is to be hoped that those 
 to wliom God has given more ample means, will come to our 
 aid in this good work. 
 
 VISITORS' RULES 
 
 will be forwarded on application. Additional copies of this Pamph- 
 let can be furnished to those who will kindly circulate them. 
 
 CONTRIBUTIONS IN MONEY, 
 
 either for the support of the House, the Building Fund, or the 
 Poor Fund, may be sent to the Sister Superior, 38 (ierrard Street 
 West, Toronto ; or the llev. W. Stewart Darling, Holy Trinity 
 Paraonage. 
 
 CONTRIBUTIONS IN KIND: 
 
 Cast-oflF clothing, old linen for wounds, or fancy articles to be sold 
 for the good of the work, will be gratefully received at the Home» 
 and will be acknowledged by the Sister Superior. 
 
 It is suggested that those Congregations who are not much 
 burthened with poor, might perhaps consent to make a small weekly 
 allowance from their offertory to the Poor Fund of the House, for 
 the benefit of the sick and suffering Any sum, from twenty-five 
 cents upwards, would be gladly received and carefully expended by 
 the ladies of the Home. 
 
 *' He that giveth to tlie Voov Icndeth to the Lord. 
 
 J?