Here also, your Committee would beg leave to direct your attention to those benevolent associations of females which exist in all our larger Congregations, and which, by their silent but efficient course, are yearly fertilizing this portion of the garden of the Lord. Were it practicable to calculate the amount of good derived both to these individuals themselves, and to the objects of their pious labours, it would doubtless be found, that much of our present happy condition as a Diocese, is the immediate effect of the Divine blessing on the work of their hands, and the prayers of their hearts. May they not be “weary in well doing;” – and may the abundant blessing of Almighty God prosper their handy-work!

(Source: Report of the Committee on the State of the Church, 1831 Diocesan Journal, 13)