Chapter I: Preface

To those who know the work of the Winchester College Mission I need offer no explanation why this little book is written, and no apology for the scrappy and imperfect manner of the writing. But if it falls into the hands of those who do not know us, I would plead as an excuse for its many imperfections, that it was written in the odd moments seized out of a very busy Lent, in which I was preaching ten courses of sermons a week, striving to collect money to pay off the debt of £3090, incurred on the Mission, for which I am responsible. I pray that these readers will discover that Mission work like ours, for which so many great cities in England are crying out, is not only the easiest of all religious work to do, but is far the most satisfying in the doing; and I desire to create a great sympathy for the poor folk at S. Agatha’s who were compelled, as they were crossing the stream from an old church into a new one--the most critical moment of their parochial existence--to swop horses, because a new commander discovered that the methods of their old one were not quite orthodox.

R. R. DOLLING.

48, WETHERBY MANSIONS,
EARL’S COURT, S.W.
_Easter Day, 1896._

NOTE

People have been so very kind in buying my books since I came to America that I have been tempted to publish the fourth edition, as I have sold out all the copies I brought with me. The selling of these, and the great hospitality I have met, have made it quite easy for me to see a considerable part of this side of the States, and I have preached in many places between Philadelphia and Boston. I hope to be asked to preach at some of the summer resorts, returning to New York in September, and spending the winter in giving missions and preaching, if I get invitations. In the fifteen months after I left St. Agatha I was without any regular work, and as nothing seems likely to be offered to me I thought it a very good opportunity of seeing the States, and I can hardly say how glad I am that I made the experiment. In every town that I have visited I have met many old friends, the majority of them the fruit of St. Agatha’s work, as they were emigrated from the mission.

Almost the first day I arrived in Philadelphia a great big man came running into the room, and was quite offended because I did not remember him. I had emigrated him from the North of Ireland twenty-six years ago. I was delighted to spend an afternoon in his house, which he had paid over $8,000 for. He said: “I had not a boot to my foot, except the one you gave me when I left home.” In Philadelphia alone I found twenty people whom I had emigrated, and I hope to see them all when I go there in the “fall.”

I hope, by means of preaching, to collect money for the Infants’ School of St. Agatha, for if it is not rebuilt now it will very likely cause the government grant to be withdrawn, and bring great injury upon the boys’ and girls’ school. These were built up at the cost of so much prayer and labor that it would be a blow that I could hardly bear if they had to be closed. There are also individual cases of boys and girls, sent from gaol and the streets, who have not quite yet reached the point of keeping themselves, and for whom I am still laboring; and so, while I am enjoying the great pleasure and experience of this most delightful tour, I hope to be able to do something for my own work.

There seems to be a little misunderstanding about my leaving England, and therefore I print three letters which will show that I left on the best terms with the authorities both at Winchester and in the Church. It is not always easy for bishops or patrons, however desirous, to find a living suited for such an irregular person as myself, and therefore I don’t feel the least hurt that I was not offered permanent work before I left. And yet I can hardly say how glad I am that I have had this opportunity of enjoying an almost perfect holiday, which, of course, would have been impossible if work had been offered me at once, after leaving Portsmouth.

Yours very faithfully,
R. RADCLIFFE DOLLING.

231 EAST 17TH STREET, NEW YORK.

FARNHAM CASTLE, SURREY.

The Rev. R. R. Dolling is a Priest of irreproachable moral
character and of remarkable earnestness, devotion and capacity.
As a preacher he has succeeded in awakening, among many who
are usually indifferent, an interest in the Church’s work for
the poor and the forlorn. I gladly testify to my profound
respect for the devoted work he has done in this Diocese, and I
entertain for Mr. Dolling personally a very sincere regard.

(Signed) RANDALL WINTON,
_Bishop of Winchester_.

_May 29, 1897._

BISHOP’S HOUSE, KENNINGTON PARK, S. E.

I have great pleasure in writing a few words of recommendation
for the Rev. R. Radcliffe Dolling. Mr. Dolling’s work is well
known in the Church; it has been an example in her midst of what
profound desire to witness and convey God’s love to the poorest
of His people may accomplish, when expressed by a life of entire
self-sacrifice in the spirit of brotherly fellowship with every
sort and condition of man, and in the full use of the means of
Grace.

Mr. Dolling would naturally bring a letter from his Diocesan,
the Bishop of Winchester, but the Bishop, who is now in Egypt,
will not return till some days after Mr. Dolling’s departure.
And I write with the more boldness in his place, because when
I recently had in view the offer of work in my own Diocese to
Mr. Dolling, the Bishop (who was my predecessor in this See)
offered to write me a line expressive of his hearty good-will
to Mr. Dolling, and of the pleasure with which he should hear
of his finding work amongst us, in spite of the rather grave
differences (since become public) which had occurred between
Mr. Dolling and himself, and which had, to the Bishop’s great
regret, led to the separation of Mr. Dolling from the great work
which he was then doing.

I venture to bespeak a most friendly and Fatherly reception for
Mr. Dolling from any of my brethren of the American Episcopate
to whom he may tender this letter.

(Signed) EDW. ROFFEN,
_Bishop of Rochester_.

_May 15, 1897._

THE COLLEGE, WINCHESTER.

MY DEAR DOLLING:--I cannot let you leave England
without expressing to you once more the deep gratitude of the
College for the great work you did for us during more than ten
years among the poor at Portsmouth. I wish very much that we
were keeping you in England. Our experience of your remarkable
success in winning the hearts not only of the Portsmouth poor,
but also of the Winchester boys, makes us deeply regret that
your services should be lost to the English Church. I hardly
dare speak of the affection and respect you have inspired in
those here who have known you and your work. I can only say that
your effectiveness in the pulpit and on the platform, and your
versatility of resource, combined as they are with large-hearted
sympathy, and absolute devotion to the cause of Christ, must
enable you to do exceptional service wherever you may be called
to render it. I trust you may find some sphere worthy of your
powers and that you may have large blessings in your work.

Most gratefully and sincerely,

(Signed) L. A. FEARON,
_Headmaster of Winchester College_.

_May 17, 1897._

P.S.--I fear you may think two dollars a very extravagant sum to
ask for this little book. But as I have now no income, selling
it is of great importance to me. Please therefore get your
friends to order from me at 231 East 17th Street, New York.

CONTENTS

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