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THE
FIRST FIVE YEARS
HOUSE OF MERCY, CLEWER
REV. T. T. CARTER, M.A.,
RECTOR OF CLEWER, BERKS.
^econU ^tJitfou.
LONDON :
JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET,
AND NEW BOND STREET.
MDCCCLVI.
LONDOX :
FEINTED BY JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO.,
ALDEESGATE STEEET.
THE
FIRST FIVE YEARS
OF THE
HOUSE OF MERCY, CLEWER.
Clewer is a suburban parish bordering upon Windsor, and em-
braces within its hinits one of those siu-stricken spots too often
found in the purlieus of our populous towns and the neighbourhood
of barracks. It has pleased God that within sight of this haunt
of vice our first Church Penitentiary should arise. It was com-
menced on the 19th of June, 1849, by Mrs. Tennant, the widow of
a Clergyman of the Church of England, then residing in the village
of Clewer, under circumstances which seemed, humanly speaking,
to be the merest chance. This lady had some months before taken
into her house, and was training to be a servant, a girl found living
in peculiarly grievous sin in the district above alluded to, but until
the day mentioned there had been no idea of receiving any other
such case. On that day I was in search of a temporary lodging for
a girl whom it was intended as soon as possible to send to the Mag-
dalen, when Mrs. Tennant, hearing of my inquiry, at once offered
to lodge her, and as many more as could be brought, in her own
home. This girl told us of another, a companion, living in the
same wretched house she had just left, who, she was sure, would
also gladly come away. With her assistance this second girl was
rescued that same evening. It was an instance of what we have
since not unfrequently found, that penitents become anxious for old
companions, urging us to endeavour to find them out and rescue
them. The day following four others made known their wish to
come, and were received. As the tidings of what was being done
B
spread, others begged for admittance. Two came from the town and
rang at the gate ; another came in from a neighbouring village ; some
were sent by friends from a distance. Within three months no less
than eighteen were admitted.
Our intention was only to house them for a while, till they could
be transferred to a London Penitentiary. But as the numbers in-
creased, and they became fondly attached to their benefactress, and
she urgently desired to devote herself to their care, the idea arose
of forming an institution, to be carried on in the same spirit in which
the work had been commenced, by women devoting themselves for
the love of God, as Mrs. Tennant had done.
It was an anxious question. We were entirely inexperienced in
Penitentiary work. No precedent in the Church of England was
known to us of a Penitentiary of the kind proposed. Strong po-
pular prejudices would certainly have to be met. The prospect of
finding persons able and ready to devote themselves was wholly un-
certain, and without such fellowhelpers the design was impracticable.
In the present day when the hearts of so many have been stirred to
such works, it is not easy to realise the doubts which then suggested
themselves as to the probability of such a spirit arising.^ More-
over, the mere cost of founding and maintaining such an institution
could not but be very great, and we had no fund to which we could
look to meet our expenses from day to day.
On the other hand there were many encouragements. A powerful
feeling had gradually spread that the old fashioned mode of dealing
with penitents, viz., by paid matrons, aided by visiting ladies, and
governed by committees, was inefficient. It was felt that their
restoration was a harder work than had been supposed, and needed
greater power of influence ; specially that penitents required minds
of a higher order to act constantly upon them, and that instead of
being a paid service, it should be carried on as a religious work for
Christ's sake. It was felt also that a more definite and fuller
teaching of the Church's system ought to be infused into such in-
stitutions.
These feelings had been aroused mainly by some admirable articles
written by the Rev. John Armstrong, now Bishop of Graham's
* It is not meant that Sisterhoods did not then exist. Miss Sellon had com-
menced her great work at Devonport. Another community had been formed at
Park Village, London. There were Sisters being trained at Wantage. But as yet
there was no instance of Sisters devoting themselves to Penitentiaries, and pre-
judices existed against it even among those otherwise favourable to Sisterhoods.
i-UWC'
Town, which appeared successively in the Quarterly, Christian Re-
membrancer, and English Review, and in the earlier part of the same
year in which the circumstances above detailed occurred at Clewer,
" An Appeal for a Church Penitentiary," by the same hand, had
excited a considerable sensation.
The system here advocated had, moreover, been successfully car-
ried out in other communions, though not as yet in our own. The
Roman Catholics had a large asylum, the Good Shepherd, contain-
ing eighty penitents, or more, at Hammersmith. Pastor Fliedner,
a Lutheran minister, had established a much smaller asylum, hold-
ing ten or twelve, also under the care of Sisters, at Kaiserswerth, on
the Rhine. If, then, such work was done by others, why might it
not also be done by us ? Why should the Church of England alone
be barren of such a service of love ?
But our chief ground of encouragement was the singular mani-
festation, as appeared to us, of the Hand of God in the circum-
stances which had occurred, ā so unlooked for, so entirely unsought.
Coupled with the fact that this very mode of reclaiming the fallen
had been the desire of many earnest hearts, the sudden springing
up of the work in this place seemed an answer to prayer ; and to
shrink back because of the difficulties of the task, an unworthy
want of trust in Him Who was thus purposing to save souls, whose
utter loss but for such help seemed sure.
We laid the whole matter before a large meeting, privately con-
vened, on the 5th of October of the same year, at Dr. Hawtrey's,
then Head Master of Eton College, when a warm and unanimous
feeling was expressed in favour of the design. All the Church au-
thorities connected with the neighbourhood, the Bishop, the Arch-
deacon, the Dean of Windsor, the Provost of Eton, as well as a
great body of the parochial Clergy, and many chief laymen, heartily
encouraged us to proceed. Thus supported, w^e resolved upon the
undertaking.
Meanwhile Mrs. Tennant laboured on with wonderful self-devotion.
Her house was converted into a Penitentiary ; her garden became
the recreation ground. For seven months this true servant of God
had no other helper but a sempstress, who at the time chanced to
be employed in the house, and who remained on indefinitely from
day to day, labouring most earnestly for about six months. One
or two neighbours would occasionally come in and give what aid
they covdd, as e.g., in housekeeping, or reading aloud to the penitents.
The only other assistance was such as myself and the Rev. C. Wel-
B 2
lingtoa Johnson, then my curate, could give. Mr. Johnson had
heen mainly instrumental in gathering in the first inmates, and was
indefatigable in his work at the house for about a year and a half,
when his health gave way.
It is scarcely possible to conceive the intense toil, mental and
bodily, which was undergone during this period, in reducing to order,
and combining together, so many inmates wholly undisciplined, and
so various in character and temper, when every rule had to be learnt
and tested by experience. Nothing had been prepared, nothing
planned. The work of a settled and organized community had to
be done, and that at a sudden call, almost by a single individual.
At first, even to retain the penitents in the house where they
were held, as it often seemed, by a single fragile thread, was
no ordinary task. To win and guide their changeful spirits ; to
check the frequent outbursts of temper ; to overcome continual
collisions ; to remedy overpowering fits of despondency ; to^watch
and correct every wrong expression ; to teach and encourage perse-
verance in industry ; tp direct the thoughts by reading or conversa-
tion ; to turn to religious improvement passing incidents ; to promote
cheerfulness ; to infuse right principles ; and all this at times of
recreation, as well as at work, was what Mrs. Tennant gave herself
to do with an unwearied assiduity. The necessary difficulties were
intensely aggravated by having such a number admitted at the same
time, and so suddenly. What soon became mere matters of course,
such as wearing an uniform dress, rising on a lady's entrance into
the room, were at first the subject of much contrivance and anxiety.
To carry on the class of needle-work, overlook those employed in
kitchen or household work, attend to the sick, set and hear lessons,
preside at all meals, watch even at night over the bed-rooms, was
the ordinary round of work that had to be done.
The house was very near the parish church, so that the penitents
were able to attend the Sunday Services, and the daily Morning Prayer.
This proximity to the church was from a casual circumstance pecu-
liarly impressive, for during this summer the cholera prevailed, and
the frequent funerals and tolling of the bell had a very solemn effect
upon the penitents.
Among minor difficulties one was concerning the house. That in
which the work commenced was lent by Mrs. Tennant's sister, and
at the time was for sale : within six months it was sold. We then
hired at the further end of the parish two contiguous houses, and,
connecting them by internal communications, fitted them for our
purpose. This move involved a considerable outlay, but it was
unavoidable. Unfortunately, these houses proved to be unhealthy,
from want of proper drainage, &c., and we anxiously looked about
for a settled home.
At this emergency an estate of fifteen acres, pasture ground, with
an old house, garden, &c., well fenced, and for such a neighbourhood
remarkably secluded, was offered for sale at ^62,400. Though
obliged to leave more than half this sum on mortgage, we purchased
the estate.
Here again, however, the house was inconvenient, and we had the
serious cost of adapting it to our use, with the certain prospect of
being obliged to replace it before long with new buildings ; but with
upwards of twenty penitents under our charge, we had no alternative
except to provide as we best could for every emergency.
After the first move, the Church services were celebrated within
the house. In the last case we converted an outbuilding, formerly
used as a harness room, into a temporary chapel ; and though it is
but a poor wooden tabernacle, yet with regret shall we see it re-
moved to make way for a more seemly structure, for it has been the
centre and shrine of many anxious prayers and deeply-moved affec-
tions. This estate was occupied in February, 1851.
In many respects we had been greatly prospered. The hearts of
many were drawn to us. Though at first dependent on chance gifts
from day to day, obliged to borrow or hire even necessary articles of
furniture, we had now a prospect of support from regular subscribers,
and a fund was growing for building a suitable house. Especially
we were encouraged by our Bishop, who entered into our plans with
his wonted energy and hearty co-operation, ā he became Visitor of
the House. We went upon the principle that the Bishop's sanction
and blessing are essential to the wellbeing of the design, and that
all spiritual matters should at once be placed under his sole super-
vision.
I must now go back a little in order to take up a yet more im-
portant part of our history. In February, 1850, the prospect of a
lady joining in the work first opened upon us. Two sisters living in
London, who had often talked together of such a scheme when it
was altogether ideal, happened to meet with our appeal, and, hailing
it as a realisation of their long-cherished dreams, they wrote, offer-
ing to give such aid as was in their power. They had an invalid mo-
ther, who needed one of them to be always with her, and the other
was engaged to work in a distant parish after the expiration of a
year, so that their help was but temporary. But one or other of
these sisters was constantly at the House till February, 1851. Their
assistance was valuable and cheering, not merely for its own sake,
but because it gave the first promise of the possibility of a Sister-
hood being formed. Two or three other ladies offered themselves
in the course of the year 1850, but none of them proved suitable,
and up to Easter, 1851, a year and three quarters from the com-
mencement, we had not heard of one both capable and willing to
devote herself.
Our difficulties at this period were very great, for Mrs. Tennant
now retired from the work. It may be readily imagined what an
arduous task it was to replace one who had been the origin and life
of the undertaking, and who, though often faihng in health, and
at times incapacitated, yet almost with her own sole exertions and
abilities had thus far carried it on. To her, though now living in
seclusion, the utmost respect and gratitude must be ever due from
all to whom the Church Penitentiary cause is dear.
Happily at this momentous crisis we found a lady, who, though
far advanced in years, gave herself to the anxious charge with un-
usual energy and devotedness. She bore the burden for about a
year and a half, when her strength failed.^ This is not the only
instance of what deserves to be noted, how the foundations of the
House of Mercy have been laid in broken health and bodily in-
firmities.
At the same period, also, came another lady, now the Superior of
the House ; and she was followed at short intervals by three others
all able to form more permanent engagements, looking to the House
of Mercy as their home, and to works of mercy as their vocation.
This is what had been so long and so ardently desired as absolutely
essential to our success ; and it is to be observed, with humble
thankfulness to Him Who inclines the hearts of His children at
His will, that at the very time when our difficulties were at their
height, our fondly cherished hopes began at length to be realised.
It should be remarked, that we had not planned the formation
of a Sisterhood, and then sought out a work for it ; but the work
came to us to be done, an^. a Sisterhood was the only practicable
instrument for carrying it on. Nor, on the other hand, was the
formation of a Sisterhood at this time any change of our original
' This lady after an interval of rest frequently went to assist in the work of
the House of Refuge, afterwards formed near S. Barnabas', and in the summer
of 1854, commenced the Church Penitentiary at Shipmeadow, near Beccles.
idea, but the legitimate and necessary development of Mrs. Ten-
nant's individual ministrj^ and had been delayed only from lack of
materials wherewith to form it.
As long as the work depended on individuals coming to and fro
from time to time, there could be no prospect of permanency. It
must have always remained a system of shifts, and a daily un-
certainty. Nor was this the only reason for a Sisterhood. A set-
tled religious tone and uniform course of training could never have
been established in the house, without an organized community
living together under fixed rule. It needs, not an individual, but a
corporate life, such as is found in collegiate institutions. Nor, in-
deed, could ladies bear the burden of such a work without the
loving sympathy and support of others like-minded, bound together
by a holy bond, and trained into harmony through means such as
are found in religious communities constituted under Church
authority.
As soon as the prospect of forming a Sisterhood opened upon us
we resolved upon the enlargement of the House ; though many of
our friends questioned the policy of such a step. They feared lest
the House should lose its domestic character. Experience, how-
ever, has shown to us that such a work never can be domestic.
Modes of discipline and control, very different from those of a
family, are requisite. It is impossible to train penitents in the ways
of an ordinary household. They must be dealt with in a body,
under special rule ; and what is this but an institution ? The only
choice is as to its size and number of inmates. One important reason
in favour of an enlarged institution, is the increased facility it gives for
classification. To associate constantly and closely together even a few
penitents in different stages of progress involves serious evils. The
lower in rate of progress tend to depress the general moral tone, and
draw down the more advanced, rather than the more advanced to
raise those less advanced. One new inmate may disorder the whole
set ; or perhaps intimacies are formed, or disagreements arise, mu-
tually injurious, so as to counteract all our endeavours, and separa-
tion is the only means of preventing ruin. Now, in order to sej)a-
rate and classify even a small number, an amount of space, appliances
and supervision, is necessary, which may readily be made available
for many.
Moreover, the pressure for admittance was overpowering. When
our work began, the only asyhiuis in connection with the Church of
England open to the whole of London were the Magdalen, and a
10
smaller institution in Lock Fields, Walworth: The Lock, a Church
of England institution, only receives cases from its own hospital.
In the diocese of Oxford, consisting of three counties, the only
Refuge was one in Oxford, capable of holding six inmates, and open
only to that city. The few asylums in the South and West of
England are confined to their respective counties.
The pressure of applications for admittance came on us chiefly
from London. More than half our inmates had always been Lon-
don cases. It occurred to us, therefore, to offer to form some con-
nection with London ; and this appeared to be the more practicable,
as the Bishop of London was known to be desirous of encouraging
such a House for the benefit of his diocese. Accordingly, a propo-
sal was made to the Bishop, in consequence of which he very kindly
convened a meeting of the chief friends of the cause at London
House early in the summer of 1851, which was followed by other
larger meetings elsewhere, under the Bishop's sanction.
A comprehensive plan was then sketched out, embracing two
kinds of Houses; (1.) Refuges, or Houses of Penitence, "of the
first instance," into which sinners from the very streets of the city
might at once be gathered ; (2.) Penitentiaries, or Houses of
Penitence, " of the second instance," situated in the country, to
which the more promising cases might be transferred from the Re-
fuges after due testing, and wherein a more complete training might
be given.
A London Committee was then ap})ointed, to assist in providing
means for the enlargement of the House of Mercy, that it might
co-operate with the proposed Refuges, and receive a larger number
of cases from London.^ In the course of the following autumn a
few friends met in London, and planned a Refuge in the Regent's
1 This Committee was composed of the following members : ā
Rev. J. Armstrong, now Lord Bishop of Graham's Town.
Rev. W. H. Burrows.
Hon. Mr. Justice Coleridge.
Rev. T. Dale.
Rev. C. B. Dalton.
William Ford, Esq.
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone.
Right Hon. Sidney Herbert.
Rev. J. Jackson, now Lord Bishop of Lincoln.
Hon. and Rev. R. Liddell.
Sir W. Page Wood.
Rev. J. H. Thomas, Hon. Sec.
11
Park district, which resulted in the establishment, in the following
year, of the house in Albert Street. Mr. Liddell, of S. Paul's,
Knightsbridge, made a separate move in his own district, and formed
about the same time another Refuge near S. Barnabas'.
Still more extensive effects resulted from this London movement
in 1852. A fresh and separate endeavour was then made, chiefly
by the Rev. Walter Blunt and the late Rev. J. G. Tupper, to com-
bine the personal exertions of all friends of the cause throughout
England in one common Association. The originators of this de-
sign coalesced with the leaders of the former scheme, and the Com-
mittee of 1851, formed under the Bishop of London's sanction,
became the basis of the enlarged movement. Thus arose the
" Church Penitentiary Association," the object of which is, not to
found or superintend, but by grants of money to assist in the
formation or maintenance of penitential institutions in all parts of
the kingdom. It is ancillary to those engaged in such works,
and forms a centre of communication and bond of union between all
such Houses and the many friends of the cause scattered in various
places. The Association numbered in March, 1854, 399 members,
including fifteen bishops. Most important is the sanction which
this Association gives to the course which has been pursued.
Church Penitentiaries, and Sisterhoods as the instruments of con-
ducting them, may now be fairly regarded as an integral portion of
our Church's system.
While these plans were being organized in London, we were
busily engaged in making preparations for the enlargement of the
House of Mercy ; but the difficulties which beset the undertaking
hindered its commencement till the spring of 1854. On the 27th of
June in that year, just one week beyond the close of our fifth year,
in the presence of a considerable number of our friends, who after-
wards together partook of the Holy Communion in our temporary
Chapel, the Bishop of Oxford laid the inaugural stone of our new
building. Thus a fresh impetus and an entirely new scope was given
to our work, and this event accordingly forms a natural close to my
present account.
I cannot, however, conclude without recording our deeply grateful
sense of the many tokens of Divine blessing which, in the progress
of our work, have been vouchsafed to us ; how at times, when all our
labour seemed well nigh shipwrecked, fresh hope arose, even more
brightly than before ; how aid of various kinds came from un-
expected quarters just at the hour of need ; how sore trials and
\2
anxious forebodings have been the harbingers of richest blessings ;
how what seemed to be withheld from us too long came at last, and,
as it then seemed, at the fittest time.
The generous spirit in which personal aid has been proffered, as
though emulating the devotion of the Sisters, is one of the most
remarkable witnesses of the good Hand of God upon us. At the
commencement, a medical gentleman of Windsor immediately pro-
mised his own services and medicine gratuitously ; and they who
know how large a proportion of the inmates of Penitentiaries are
objects of medical care will be able to appreciate the value of such aid.
Again, at the very time when we most needed a clergyman's help, one
freely offered himself, giving the most valuable assistance for four
years. In the same noble spirit all other kinds of professional service
that we needed have been given. It would be a gratification to mention
the names of our architect and legal adviser ; but it would, I know,
be strongly against their own wish. Even in the humblest posts of
service the same spirit has been manifested. In only two instances,
and for a few months, have we paid wages to any one in the House.
Two points remain upon which, in consequence of the many inquiries
made concerning them, I would add some explanation. First, with
regard to the employment and prospects of the penitents. Certain
portions of every day are set apart for devotion and instruction.
They are taught both in class and individually. But the greater
part of the day is occupied in manual labour. They do all the
work of the House ; some are in the kitchen, cooking, baking, &c. ;
some in the dairy ; some in the laundry ; others at needlework ;
others are employed as housemaids. There are always some in-
valided ; though we take all possible precaution to prevent their
being admitted when out of health. Our object is to make their
labour in the House remunerative, as well as to render them as use-
ful as possible in some place of service. Their time of remaining
varies. We make no conditions or fixed rule. Some remain two
years, some one; the average is about a year and a half: some re-
main even beyond two years. We are never satisfied to let them
go till they become settled communicants, and, as far as we can
judge, stedfastly disposed to persevere. The kindest assistance in
providing places of service has been offered to us. We have seldom
had a penitent whom we wished to recommend but before long a
situation has been found. Moreover, we lead the penitents to look
to the House of Mercy as their home, even after they have been
restored to the world ; not that we encourage their return, but be-
13
cause the feeling that they have a place of safety and lasting friends
in any special need, as, e. g., during intervals of service, is very
helpful to persons so friendless, and whose natural homes, if they
have any, are generally the worst places for them.^
The second point is the condition and work of the Sisters. The
Sisters are ladies of the Church of England, serving as the Sceurs
de la Charite abroad. It is a life of very active service. One or
more of the Sisters are with the Penitents in all their occupations ;
at their meals, and during their recreation. They overlook and
direct them from morning till night. They watch over them, also,
in their dormitories. It is a rule that the Penitents should never be
left without a Sister being present. The Sisters teach under the
direction of the Clergy ; but their more constant work consists iu
practically infusing right principles, controlling temper, checking
irregularities, stimulating to industry, winning and guiding them
through all changes and trials, and thus gradually, through the grace
of God, forming character in the hourly routine of life. It is im-
portant to note, that it is a rule strictly enforced, that the Penitents
should never speak of their past sins, either to the Sisters, or to one
another.
The Sisters' work and usefulness is not limited to the House.
Those who are able also visit the poor, and teach in the schools of
the parish. While the main part of the Sisters' life is thus passed
in active employment, their rule provides opportunities each day for
their private studies and recreation.
Connected with the Sisters of the Community, and aiding them
from without, are Associates, i.e.. Christian women, living in their
own homes in the world, and giving such assistance as their circum-
stances may permit. They are admitted on undertaking to offer up
prayer in behalf of the House of Mercy, and to do some definite
work for its benefit, as e.g., to collect alms, provide employment for
the Penitents, assist in the sale of their work, or find means of
livelihood for those who may be recommended. The Associates are
remembered in the prayers of the Community, and are connected
with it by ties of mutual fellowship and love.
Results of the first Five Tears.
It should be observed in reference to Penitentiary reports, that the
progress of the soul out of the depths of sin and darkness must ever
' The Rules regarding the Inmates are given at the end.
14
be gradual, and often uncertain ; that though a work of rejoidng,
we rejoice always with trembling.
Even of those who are now doing well in the world, it would be
rash to speak with confidence, though as years pass and they are
still found steadfast, a calmer and more settled hope grows. "We
have had, however, cases of the greatest encouragement on which
death has set its seal, of which we may more freely speak. One of
the earliest cases was of this kind. She was a poor orphan from
our own neighbourhood without a single known relative living. She
became permanently invalided and quite deaf. Her sufferings were
very great. Though generally confined to her bed, she was often
enabled to sit in the class-room. From her exceedingly patient,
docile, and gentle spirit, her sufferings and friendless state, she
became the object of peculiar care and affection. At times, when
she was thought to be dying, the Penitents would gather around her
bed in tears, and it was most striking to hear her then speak to them,
as it seemed for the last time, the most earnest words, beseeching
them to remain steadfast, and warning them of the judgment to
come, and saying how she felt on the brink of the eternity into which,
we all thought, she was instantly about to enter. She was at last
removed to Guy's Hospital, where she died. The Matron of the
Hospital gave us the most comfortable assurance of her belief of the
true repentance in which her spirit passed away.
Another such case was that of a young girl, ā she was with us
about a year and a half ā who was marked, among other infirmities,
by an exceeding violence of temper. I remember well the anxiety
with which we admitted her to her first communion, but she had
for some time shown, and after that event she showed more and more
decidedly a really earnest power of self-restraint. I have often
watched with surprise, by the movements of her countenance, the
strong efforts she was evidently making within to subdue passion.
She had always a very touching remembrance of her mother, who
was a widow ; when allusion was made to her she could seldom
refrain from tears. We sent this girl forth to a place of service in a
quiet village ; her mistress kindly taking her with all her imperfec-
tions. Her health we knew to be weak ; she was subject to convul-
sions ; but the tidings came with a shock, though full of cause for
truest thankfulness, of her sudden passage to another world. "You
will doubtless be startled," wrote the pastor of the parish, one well
known and dear to me, " at the announcement that S. M. is no
more, having breathed her last early this morning ; and yet I know
15
not when I have joined more heartily than I did with her kind mis-
tress, in the thanksgiving to Almighty God, that it hath pleased
Him to deliver our sister out of the miseries of this sinful world. I
cannot doubt that the House of Mercy has indeed proved to this
poor soul, an ark of everlasting refuge. Ever since her arrival, we
have wondered that temper should have been her besetting infirmity ;
.... certainly her uniformly mild and gentle countenance seemed
to speak of calm and peace within. Her devout attention to her
religious duties was most striking, and she had a truly kind and
respectful manner towards all. From my very heart I believe her
to have been a real penitent." Her death took place at night.
Soon after she had removed to her room, one of her mistresses hap-
pened to look in and found her convulsed. " They watched over
her that night, hoping she would recover, but God willed it other-
wise. I was called up, but before I reached her she was a corpse."
She was buried in the churchyard of that quiet village, with no other
record but this brief inscription on her coflin-lid, " S. A. M., aged
21." Her kind mistress died within a year, and they two now lie
within a few paces of each other, together watching for the morning
of the Resurrection.
For many reasons which may readily be supposed, we refrain
from publishing details of penitents now living ; but the following
facts, though briefly stated, may serve to show something of the
results of our endeavours, and the grounds of our hope. I select
a few of the cases that came to us within the first five years, who
are now doing well, and with whom, more or less, we have been
enabled to keep up communication, or at least whose subsequent
course after leaving the House we have been enabled to trace.
Five have " fallen asleep," and, as I believe, with good hope.
Eleven have married respectably.
The first six of the following cases have left the House full five
years : ā
1. An entirely friendless girl, none of whose relatives can be
found, continuing in service as cook or housemaid, in good families.
2. The daughter of a poor country labourer, for a while living at
home, afterwards fell back, but now again doing well, and in re-
spectable service.
3. The daughter of a London mechanic, for some time assisting at
home, afterwards emigrated, as nurse in a clergyman's family.
4. A country girl, who, after being in service for some time,
was sent out as an emigrant.
5. A country girl, in service, as housemaid.
16
6. A London girl, in service as cook, successively in different
families.
7. An orphan, from London, now in her third place, with a family
of superior class ; has continued to do well four years.
8. A country girl, physically incapable of service, has been living
at home three years and a half, with a good report from the clergy-
man of her parish.
9. Another country girl, in service, and known to be doing well
two years after she left.
10. An orphan, who has remained in the same place, a clergy-
man's family, upwards of three years.
11. 12. Two others in service, as housemaids, two years and a half.
13. A middle-aged woman, from London, has been nurse in the
same, a clergyman's family, three years and three-quarters.
14. A young girl, from London, now in her second place ; has
been doing well two years and a half.
15. A London girl, two years in service, and now in her second
place, as maid of all work.
16. A middle-aged woman, who has been upwards of a year and
a half in a place of trust in a Penitentiary.
We calculate upon the whole, that of sixty-seven admitted into
the House, and sent forth into the world during the five years, forty-
four in all have, more or less, done well.
Receipts and Expenditure.
During the five years over which the foregoing account extends,
we have had to maintain a household varying from twenty to thirty
persons, including clothing, outfits, and traveUing expenses, &c., of
Penitents. We have been enabled to do so without leaving any
debts.
In addition to this annual expenditure, of permanent outlay, and
money in hand at the close of the five years, the following is a
general summary : ā
Fittiaw and repairing two houses, rent, furniture, &c., about . ^1,200
Purchase of estate, including interest on mortgage . . . 2,480
Building a wall around the field, intended fertile recreation ground.
Farm buildings, &c. about ....... 300
Contract for buildings now in progress, including sundries, neces-
sarily involved, about ........ 6,100
In hand towards the Chapel and Infirmary, which are connected
together 874
.Ā£10,954
Of the money thus raised, ^500 was granted by the Church Peni-
tentiary Association, besides a previous grant of ^200 for mainte-
nance. Tlie remainder was the offering of many benefactors, in
sums varying from Is. to sSlOO, and in one case iā¬1000.
Extracts from the Statutes.
A few extracts are added from the Statutes, in order to show on
what principles the House has been constituted, what ties bind it to
the Cathohc Church of this land, what safeguards surround it, and
what hope of its permanence and faithful adherence to its principles
may be cherished by its friends, who long to offer to God what may
not merely be a blessing in their own day, but endure to the
honour of His Name, and the saving of souls, for generations yet to
come.
" In the Name of the Holy and undivided Trinity, and for the well-
being of Christ's Holy Catholic Church established in this land, the
several persons whose names and seals are hereunto subscribed and affixed,
[ ] have agreed upon and adopted certain statutes for
the due order and government of the said House of Mercy, which has
been established for the reception and reformation of females who have
sinned against the Divine law of chastity ; and these statutes they have
adopted with the desire and intent that, through the blessing of God, the
principles on which the said House of Mercy has been founded, may be
always preserved unchanged and inviolate, and that it may ever be con-
ducted and carried on in accordance with the true Christian faith, as it is
set forth in the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, to the
glory of Almighty God, and the eternal salvation of souls, for whom, as
for themselves, Christ died.
"The Institution shall consist of a Visitor, a Warden, a Superior,
Sisters, a Council, Trustees, and two Treasurers.
" Visitor. The Bishop of the Diocese within which the said Institution
is situated, shall be the Visitor, if he will accept the office ; but, if he
shall refuse, then the Council shall elect such person as they shall think
fit, until there shall be a new Bishop of the said Diocese, when the office
shall be offered to such new Bishop ; and so from time to time such
Bishop, or in case of his refusal, the person so elected by the Council,
shall be the Visitor for the time being. , . . . . The Visitor shall have
authority as well upon his own mere motion, as upon appeal lodged, to do
and order all those things which appertain by law to the office of Visitor,
or which shall be specially provided.
18
" Warden. The Warden shall be a Clergyman of the Church of England
in Priest's orders. He shall be appointed by the Council ; but if on the
occasion of any vacancy, the Council shall not appoint a new Warden
before the expiration of six months, then the appointment shall lapse
to the Visitor. The Warden shall perform, or be responsible for the
performance of the religious services, and superintend the teaching and
spiritual discipline of the inmates. He shall have power, with the ap-
proval of the Council, to appoint a sub-Warden, to assist him in his duties.
The Warden and Sub-Warden, to qualify them for their offices, must
obtain the licence of the Bishop of the Diocese, and be subject to his
authority, as other Clergymen officiating under his licence.
" Superior and Sisters. The Superior shall be a fully-admitted Sister,
and shall have the government of the Sisters and other inmates of the
Institution, subject to the superintendence of the Warden.
"The Sisters shall consist of two classes; sisters fully admitted after
probation, and Sisters probationary. No person shall be aduiitted as
Sister probationary unless a member of the Church of England, nor
without the written consent of her parents, if under the age of thirty
years. Every Sister shall have full and uncontrolled liberty, whenever
she shall think fit, to leave the Institution. The Warden and the Superior
may, with the consent of the majority of the fully admitted Sisters, make
and vary such regulations for the internal management and discipline of
the Sisters, as shall be consistent with the statutes of the Institution, and
be approved by the Visitor, and such regulations shall be accessible to all
members of the Council. The ordinary period of probation for Sisters is
two years.
" Council. The Council shall consist of nine Clergymen and nine lay-
men, in full communion with the Church of England, together with the
Warden, Sub-Warden, if any, and Treasurers. The expenditure of the
Institution shall be under the entire control and management of the
Council.' Neither the Council, nor any member thereof, simply as such,
shall have any power to interfere in the internal management, regulations,
or discipline of the House. But if at any time, it shall appear to any
member that any proceedings in the House, or of any inmate thereof,
ought to be inquired into, he may, by a requisition in writing, signed by
himself and two other members of the Council, and stating the matter to
be inquired into, require the Secretary to call a special meeting of the
Council to take such matter into consideration. And if it shall appear to
a majority of the members assembled at such meeting, that the matter
requires farther investigation, their resolution shall be communicated to
' The Community fund, i.e., money contributed by the Sisters for their own
support, is managed by themselves according to regulations approved by the
Council.
19
the Visitor, who shall be requested to inquire into the matter, and to
communicate his judgment thereon in writing to the Council."^
Rules regarding the Inmates.
I. For the admission of a Penitent is required : ā
1. A certificate of good health and soundness of mind.
2. An assurance (if thought necessary,) from some Clergyman that
the applicant is quietly disposed and wiUing to submit to rule, and shows
a real disposition for repentance.
3. An engagement (if thought needful) that the person sending her
will bear the expense of her removal, if it be found necessary to dismiss
her for ill conduct, or she herself desire to go away, before her period of
training has expired.
4. A payment of Ā£2 except under special circumstances, as e.g., when
the Penitent is sent by a benefactor to the House.
II. After a sufficient period of probation, the Penitent may, if ap-
proved by the Warden and Superior, and if she desire it, be received as
an accepted Penitent, according to a form of prayer, sanctioned by the
Visitor, after which reception she may, during good conduct, regard the
House of Mercy as her home, wherein even after having been sent forth
^ The members of the Council at the close of the five years were : ā
Rev. F. Anson, Canon of Windsor.
Rev. Edward Coleridge, Eton College.
Rev. R. J. Gould, Windsor.
Rev. J. E. Hall, London.
Rev. Dr. Hawtrey, Provost of Eton College.
Rev. C. W. Johnson.
Rev. J. E. Austen Leigh, Vicar of Bray.
Rev. J. Shaw, Vicar of Stoke.
Rev. John Wilder, Fellow of Eton College.
Rev. T. T. Carter, Warden.
Hon. and Rev. C. A. Harris, Sub-Warden.
Charles G. Barnett, Esq., Englefield Green.
Charles Blandy, Esq., Reading.
John Bent, Esq., Wexham Lodge.
Harry Chester, Esq., London.
Hon. Mr. Justice Coleridge, London.
Charles Clowes, Esq., Iver.
William Ford, Esq., London.
Brownlow E. Layard, Esq., Windsor.
Robert Palmer, Esq., M.P., Holme Park, Sunning.
Charles Parker, Esq., Binfield. J
J. William West, Esq., Datchet. / Treasurers.
20
into the world, she may, in time of distress or difficulty, find a refuge and
support.
III. No exact period is fixed for a Penitent remaining in the House ;
as each case must depend on its own peculiar circumstances, but ordi-
narily the time shall be from a year and a half to two years.
IV. Any Penitent may on account of broken health, or any other
sufficient cause, be permanently retained in the House, and be employed
in any office for which she is deemed fit.
FORM OF BEQUEST TO THE HOUSE OF MERCY.
/ give and bequeath unto the Treasurers for the time being, of the
Institution called the Clewer House of Mercy, situate at Clewer, in the
county of Berks, the sum of Ā£, ,to be paid out of my pure personal
estate, to the said Treasurers, for the general purposes of the said Institu-
tion. And I direct that the receipt or receipts of the Treasurers for the
time being of the said Institution, or either of them, shall be a good and
sufficient discharge to my said Executors for the said sum of Ā£ , and
that they, my said Executors, shall not in any wise be answerable or
accountable for, or be obliged to see to the application thereof.
N.B. Any communications regarding the House of Mercy!'are requested
to be made to the Superior of the House, or to the writer of this account,
by either of whom pecuniary aid for the buildings yet to be completed, or
for annual maintenance, will be gratefully received. The average cost of
maintaining a single Penitent per annum, including all contingent expenses,
is calculated at about ^20. It would be a valuable aid, if any contributed
towards the maintenance of a Penitent for one or more years.
JOSEPH SUSTEKS AND CO., PKINTERS, ALDERSttATE STREET, LONDOIT.
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