rations.

(d) Yet another effect was that the fountains of compassion broke
out in the hearts of large numbers of individuals, and led them to
make similar efforts. Everywhere the call was sounded to labour for
these poor lost people, and instances were adduced which showed
that their humble toil was productive of very striking results.

But until now nothing, or next to nothing, had been done to stop
this rolling river, or deliver those perishing in its waters,
because everybody had felt helpless in the presence of the enormous
evil.

But here, now, were results of sufficient magnitude to convince
those who became interested in the matter that, by the employment
of the methods set forth in "In Darkest England and the Way Out,"
something permanently effective might be accomplished.

On the other hand, others, as might have been expected, who had
never manifested any particular interest before, either for or
against, now came out openly as our enemies, and a stiff fight
followed, out of which the Social Operations, although in their
infancy, may be said to have emerged victorious.

One of the results of this conflict of opinion was the "Darkest
England" Inquiry.

The preparation of "In Darkest England" will for ever remain
remarkable in my own memory, as it was mostly written and
corrected in the adjoining chamber to that in which my dear wife
was suffering those awful agonies associated with the disease which
finally carried her away.

The spirit which originated and controlled the Social Work had
been, pre-eminently, the spirit of her religion. She certainly was
the most practical exponent of the Christianity of which I have
been speaking that it was ever my lot to meet. It was her religion;
she preached it with natural eloquence and remarkable skill; and,
in life and death, she exemplified it.

From that day to this the history of the Social Work has been one
of steady progress and of surpassing interest, and I have sometimes
wondered whether any movement, based so solidly upon principles of
permanence, and so calculated to bless the classes for whose
benefit it was, by the Providence of God, called into being, has
ever existed within the memory of men.

Now what has come out of this beginning?

1. Here is a list o