MOTHERS’ MEETINGS.
Weary, hardworked women thoroughly enjoy a bit of interesting reading, whether pathetic or droll. Foreign tales or those of adventure do not, as a rule, interest them, and the old-fashioned book, where a preternaturally wise dame instructs her neighbours is too much a lecture in disguise. By all means, let there be some religious reading, then if possible some on sanitary habits, domestic economy and management of children, but not under the disguise of a story. A good, genuine fiction gives them a real interest and something to talk of. It should not appear to be a child’s book or they will feel insulted, but they like nothing better than when the joys or sorrows turn on an infant; and there is no better mode of conveying indirect lessons—to some persons, that is to say, for there are others who have no notion of applying what they hear to real life. Still, wholesome amusement is a thing of which they get all too little, and the pleasure of being read to is one they thoroughly appreciate. Of course these books are specially fitted for lending to old or young. They are only classed under the category of books for Mothers’ Meetings because eminently fitted for that purpose as well as for Lending Library shelves.
FICTION.
590. A Dog’s Mission. By Mrs. Beecher Stowe. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.
A family reconciliation.
591. The Story of the Lost Emerald. By Emma Marshall. (Nelson) 1s.
The loss of an old maid’s much-valued jewel at a fire rouses her to think of higher things.
592. Pamela’s Bequest. By Mrs. Sandford. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.
The bequest is a delicate child, left by a dying mother to a kindly little formal dressmaker while the father is at sea. The complications on his return are most effective. When he makes a blundering offer and gets refused, a listening woman has been known to rap the table in an ecstasy of enjoyment.
593. Afloat. By Mrs. Stanley Leathes. (John F. Shaw) 3s. 6d.
A family bereaved for a time of a little girl sent adrift in a boat by an idiot. It excites great interest.
594. Burnt Out. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.
On the demoralising effects of going about with a petition.
595. Aunt Kezia’s Will. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
A family quarrel pacified through the love and interest excited by a blind child.
596. Laddie. (Walter Smith) 1s.
A most touching story of an old peasant woman’s journey to London to see her son, who has risen to eminence as a doctor.
597. Short Stories for Mothers’ Meetings. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 2s.
Well-written stories, especially fitted for those meetings where the attendance is too irregular for continuous reading to be advisable.
598. Tales for Mission Rooms. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
The first of these is a capital lesson on gossip; the second has a very touching portrait in it.
599. Meg’s Mistake. By Mrs. O’Reilly. (Strahan)
Originally published as ‘Sussex Stories.’ Very lifelike, and two at least can be read with admirable effect—namely, ‘Fairy Gold’ and another bringing in the accident to the London steamboat ‘Princess Alice.’ The others have been tried, but do not seem as well liked. Perhaps they are too wordy.
600. Pictures of Cottage Life. By M. Poole. (Macmillan) 3s. 6d.
These are thoroughly delightful. There is an old woman with what she thinks is a skeleton warning in her eye, also a deserted wife and an adopted child, who all are completely real and as touching as they are quaint.
601. The Cottage Next Door. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
The taming of a rough lad through the helplessness of the pretty little silly wife and babies whom his brute of a brother abandons for a while.
602. True Gold. (Church Extension Society) 2s.
A family at the gold-diggings, where the wife realises more at last by making ginger-beer than the husband by all his find of nuggets, and her faithful uprightness and industry are the saving of all.
603. Harry’s Discipline. By Laura Lane. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
A good-natured careless young railway porter neglects his mother till she is almost starved. The lesson is chiefly meant for the sons, but it deeply affects the mothers, and is a warning to them not to spoil their boys.
604. The Lion Battalion. Story 2. (See [No. 21].)
605. Little Meg’s Children. (See [No. 49].)
606. Scenes in a Children’s Hospital. By L. Burke. (R.T.S.) 1s.
Interests the mothers greatly.
607. Wee Willie Winkie. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.
The beginning, being an old fisherman’s difficulties with a baby rescued from a wreck, is much enjoyed. The latter part is neither so natural nor so effective.
608. What a Man Soweth. By G. Stebbing. (Nisbet) 3s. 6d.
A boy perverted by his mother laughing at small pilferings. The conclusion is improbably happy, but the tale is excellent.
609. The Storm of Life. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.
A painful but very effective story of a poor woman just out of prison striving to redeem her character and save her little girl from her wicked husband. The only flaw in the book is the disregard of baptism for a babe only born to die.
610. An Innocent. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
Here a little half-witted girl is the good angel of her rough, careless parents. The people are very naturally drawn.
611. The Watchers on the Longships. By J. F. Cobb. (Wells Gardner, Darton, & Co.) 3s. 6d.
A lighthouse story. Very welcome on the coast, where a woman has been known to lie awake thinking of it.
612. My Little Patient. (Masters) 6d.
Supposed to be told by a doctor. Full of pathos, which touches mothers more than it does children.
613. Copsley Annals. By Miss Elliot. (Seeley) 5s.
A delightful book for all ages. Perhaps the best for mothers is the tale that has been published separately under the title of
614. Mrs. Blackett’s Story. 1s.
615. Tried and True. By Florence Wilford. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
The faithfulness of a fly driver, who wins his wife back from habits of intoxication.
616. Bearing the Yoke. By Helen Shipton. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
A young farmer weighed down by a liability incurred by his father.
617. Young Sixfoot. By Mrs. Garnett. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.
A navvy story, but likely to be highly appreciated by women.
618. Tales of the Bush. By Mrs. Vidal. (Masters) 3s. 6d.
Australian life, but good for all, especially one on Sunday trading.
619. Daddy Dick. By Mrs. Bromfield. 3s. 6d.
The civilisation of a rude lad through a little waif. It appeals to the maternal sympathy.
620. An Empty House. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 6d.
A story of much power and beauty, turning on a crime committed by an intoxicated man.
621. Bede’s Charity. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 3s. 6d.
A beautiful and striking tale. No one can better strike the chords of homely pathos than Hesba Stretton, but all her tales are not equal, and some are written for special purposes.
622. Friends till Death. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.
The very touching affection of an old shepherd for his helpless friend.
623. Homes Made and Marred. (R.T.S.) 2s. 6d.
Sensible and useful.
624. Two Christmas Stories. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 6d.
The last is specially excellent when a short effective tale is wanted.
625. Seeketh Not Her Own. (See [No. 500].)
626. The Heroine of a Basket Van. By Mary Bramston. (National Society) 2s. 6d.
Excellent for mothers as well as children.
627. High and Lowly. By Ellen Davis. (Nisbet) 2s.
Well-told migrations of a retired servant in search of a home. A Blue Ribbon conquest at the end.
628. For Half-a-Crown. (See [No. 114].)
629. A Railway Garden. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
A bright wife and a nagging wife, also a lesson against being hard on a sinner.
630. Gran. (Nisbet) 2s. 6d.
A drinking husband suddenly reformed by his child’s death.
631. Five Thousand Pounds. By Agnes Giberne. (Nisbet) 2s.
A sad story of a legacy proving the ruin of a family.
632. The Black Coppice. By Mrs. Lawson. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
A very excellent narrative of the trials of a poacher’s good wife, entering more than do many such books into real difficulties in Church-going.
633. Two Poor Old Women. By Mrs. Lawson. (S.P.C.K.) 12s. per 100.
A spirited tract on content and discontent.
COUNSEL.
When the clergyman will open mothers’ meetings, and give a little instruction, this is all that is requisite to convey the religious tone. If he be not there, it may be well to begin with something serious. Some ladies can explain a chapter of the Bible, but in most cases a reading will be most convenient for the purpose. Here are a few suggested:—
634. Letters from an Unknown Friend. By the Author of ‘Charles Lowder.’ (Kegan Paul) 1s. (See [No. 280].)
Short explanations of the claims of the Church, which may be useful as guarding against Dissent.
635. An Address to Women. By the Bishop of Carlisle. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.
This is a most admirable, practical address given at the time of the Carlisle Church Congress. It goes into the ordinary trials of woman’s life with great force, and at the same time gives all encouragement.
636. An Earnest Appeal to Mothers. By Mrs. G. Sumner. (Nisbet) 3d.
Strong and touching appeals to mothers on guarding the purity of their children from the first.
637. A Few Words to Mothers of Little Children. (Hatchards) 2d. each or 50 at half-price.
Teaching the same lesson of preserving modesty. These three little books may be given broadcast, but they will be more effective if first read.
638. Half-hours at Mothers’ Meetings. 2s.
Some of the little discourses here are very useful. One entitled ‘The Hour of Temper’ merits especial praise.
639. The Chimney Corner. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.
640. Short Words for Long Evenings. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.
641. Work-a-Day World. By E. Wordsworth. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.
All the above three are deeply thoughtful, often poetical, yet simple moralisings on common things.
642. Plain Words. By the Bishop of Bedford. One series 2s., or in separate tracts in 3 packets, 1s. each.
The force and beauty of these need no praise here, and they have the further merit of being just the right length.
643. The Scripture Half-hour at Mothers’ Meetings. (R.T.S.) 2s.
There are some admirable bits here, especially in the way of true anecdote and application, but some selection may be needful.
644. Bits of Talk on Home Matters. (Sampson Low) 2s.
There are most admirable chapters in this little book; to be valued by mothers of all degrees. ‘A polite mother’ is an admirable lesson.
The above are serious. Those that follow are domestic and secular.
645. Ways and Means in a Devonshire Village. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
Conversations on household management and cookery, done with spirit, and eliciting remarks and comparisons.
646. Lectures on Health. By Mrs. Hallett. (Hatchards) 1s. 6d.
Very useful explanations of sanitary measures in plain language.
647. How to be Well. By Mrs. Hallett. (Walter Smith) 1s.
Good advice on clothing, food, and regulation.
648. Till the Doctor Comes. By Dr. Hope. (R.T.S.) 6d., in cloth 9d.
649. The Making of the Home. By Mrs. C. Barnett. (Cassell) 1s. 6d.
Very good hints on house, health, and clothes.
650. Social Economy Reading Book. (National Society) 2s.
Even better adapted for reading to mothers than by children.
EXTRACTS.
A few passages are here mentioned as serving well to read aloud at Mothers’ Meetings, though the whole book might not serve equally well.
651. The Way of the Cross. By Emily S. Holt. (Shaw) 1s. 6d.
The ‘Web Ismene Wove,’ the third tale in this book, is exceedingly beautiful, and is an excellent reading near Passiontide. It is the story of a Greek girl at Jerusalem, who longs to make something to be used in the service of the God of Israel. The white web she weaves comes to be sold in haste to Joseph of Arimathæa, and thus her longing is fulfilled. The second tale is harmless, being of the mother of Ahaz, and how she spoilt her son; but the first would hardly be given or read aloud by those who would shrink from the strong assertion that SS. James, Jude, and Joses were sons of the Blessed Virgin.
652. The Man on the Top of the Ark, and other Gospel Parables. By Alexander MacLeod Symington. (Nisbet) 1s.
If at the end of the first parable the reader inserts the text, ‘The like figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us,’ the teaching is complete. The application of the Brazen Serpent and the City of Refuge is also excellent. They are the Biblical history dramatised, as it were. (See [No. 353].)
653. Catharine and Crawfurd Tait. (Macmillan) 2s. 6d. and 6s.
If the reader can command her voice to get through it, the history of Mrs. Tait’s successive bereavements will be listened to with intense interest.
654. Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales. In 7 vols. (Smith, Elder, & Co.) 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. each.
655. Libbie Marsh’s Three Eras.
St. Valentine’s day. Story of a factory girl and a cripple.
656. The Sexton’s Story.
An heroic act of self-sacrifice.
657. Christmas Storms and Sunshine.
A quarrel made up over a baby.
These three admirable stories are bound up with others less useful in collected editions of Mrs. Gaskell’s Tales, and are not to be had separately.
658. In Mary Barton, by Mrs. Gaskell (Smith, Elder, & Co.) (see [No. 551]),
Job’s description of the two old men’s journey by the coach with the baby cannot fail to enchant the women.
