‘Dim visions float before my mind of an Union of Women which should embrace and work with the existing organisations, such as the Girls’ Friendly, the Metropolitan Association, and the Christian Young Women,—which should welcome help from all; for what are sectarian distinctions in the presence of such evils? “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ” join—and those too who, not naming His name, live according to His life.... ‘Women band themselves together to go out to nurse in the armies—once that was thought impossible.... _Perhaps_ I am talking of what is impracticable. It is hard to keep calm enough to see clearly, when such visions hover before one. It is so important to keep calm, that one may neither be paralysed, nor make fantastic strokes instead of striking truly; and therefore I want you to think and guide. ‘I am sure we teachers must not let ourselves be diverted from _our_ proper work, of inspiring and setting others to work—indirectly, not directly, can we act. I often have to stop earnest teachers, who would break themselves down, and say—“If you want a thing done, don’t do it yourself.” But we do need more and more not to think of the mere giving of knowledge, but of lifting through education the girls’ characters; giving them proper ideas of marriage and what it ought to be: we should abolish all the frivolities of the marriage ceremonial. Would we had more weddings like that I attended yesterday of one of our teachers. I had never before been present at one which had really satisfied me, and there were crowds of poor people belonging to the “unwashed” amongst whom she had laboured, who behaved as fashionable congregations do not, and who must have gone away with a deeper sense of the meaning of a true marriage. We need, I think, a marriage reform association as much as a funeral reform. I am afraid my letter is a little incoherent. I am in bed with headache, after a somewhat exhausting week. We have had a teachers’ meeting again this year, beginning with some Quiet Days, and addresses to teachers by Canon Mason, whom the Archbishop of Canterbury kindly asked. I think we all thoroughly enjoyed these and our after meetings, and our country excursions and social gatherings. ‘Miss Helen Gladstone was with us, and Ramabai, with teachers from all parts. ‘Give my love to dear Miss Shireff. I don’t know what she will say to my urging work on you.’