He proposed to them to form a society

In response to a call of the Rector of St. James’s Parish, Rev. Mr. Bush, eight ladies, including one visitor, assembled with him in the Vestry Room. He proposed to them to form a society, which should be a part of the Diocesan Branch of the Woman’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions. This was agreed to by all present & they proceeded to organize with eight members and Miss L. L. Norwood was made Secretary. On acct. of the smallness of the society, it was suggested that it would probably be best to work in connection with some other society – and the Sec. was directed to correspond with Mrs. Wilkes of Charlotte on the best manner of proceeding. It was agreed that meetings should be held every three months. This much was done after earnest prayers in the church, by the Rector.

(Source: “Minutes of the Ladies Church Aid Society, St. James’s Church, Lenoir, NC, 1882,” in St. James’ Episcopal Church: An Historical Scrapbook, 1849-1979, Elizabeth McConnell Jarratt, 1979, 257)