| Description | Mary Taylor wrote this letter in response to a request from Elizabeth Taylor who had written to her mother asking for permission to become involved in some unspecified philanthropic work. Although the work is not described in detail in this letter, Mary Taylor's remarks suggest that it would require much 'bodily' and mental labour from those involved. A reference to the social purity campaigner Ellice Hopkins indicates that the work referred to may have been associated with the reform of sexual morality, perhaps through the Ladies Association for the Care of Friendless Girls.
In her letter Mary Taylor advises her daughter not to get involved in the work writing 'Altho' I have never worked in like way nor in such places as Ellice Hopkins, yet I consider myself able to judge as well as she'. She continues commenting that there was 'a question' surrounding the work which God was calling people to do, adding 'many good people make a mistake in acting as though they believed He forgets we are but dust and that though "the spirit is willing the flesh is weak"'. Mary Taylor explains that God understood that people would be unable to 'come near the ideal the spirit within aspires after' in their mortal life.
Mary Taylor commends her daughter's work at the Peckham Friends' First Day School, remarking 'it needs freshness of mind to meet these young restless boys thou teaches'. She warns Elizabeth not to risk her health which was 'a gift from God', commenting 'it is often seen to be a failing in earnest Christians that they risk this health' through their belief that 'they must do some great thing'.
Mary Taylor continues her letter with comments relating to news which she had received from Elizabeth in recent letters referring to her daughter's 'interest' in the education of her younger brothers and sisters. She concludes her letter with details of forthcoming plans for Elizabeth's elder sister Margaret (Pearlie) to take the girls' younger sisters to Southport.
At the end of this letter Mary Taylor sends her best wishes to Elizabeth writing 'God speed to thee in thy busy way and in the many useful admirable ways thou tries to shine forth Praise'. However, she adds 'Be watchful, be vigilant danger may be at an hour when all seemeth securest to thee'.
Please note that this letter features crossed writing and is difficult to read in places. |
| AdminHistory | This letter includes references to the social purity campaigner Ellice Hopkins (1836-1904). Described as a 'religious and political organizer', Morgan writes that Hopkins's 'urban philanthropy' was centred on 'endeavours against the sexual degradation of young women'. Morgan suggests that Hopkins interpreted moral virtue as fundamental to Britain's 'imperial advance', with sexual morality directly linked to increasing calls for social reform towards the end of the nineteenth century.
Hopkins was involved in canvassing support for the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 which incorporated legislation to prevent the sexual exploitation of young women. Significantly, later in her life Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury canvassed public support for the Criminal Law Amendment (White Slave Traffic) Bill which was passed in 1911. This Bill amended the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 and the Vagrancy Act of 1898 to protect women and girls from human trafficking. |