While Victorian women (and men) were urged to take on charitable causes and activities, it was generally recognized that mission work required a more significant calling. To become a missionary, a woman frequently had to choose to give up any thoughts of becoming a traditional wife and mother (unless, of course, she was the wife of a missionary). While this wasn't quite the same as choosing a career over marriage, it involved similar sacrifices. While other types of charitable activities called on women to contribute their time and skills, missions generally involved contributions of money. This section looks at some of the Victorian mission efforts both at home and overseas.

Mission Work at Home

Thames Church Mission, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1882, 1883)

A look inside a mission service for sailors and fishermen.

Young Men's Christian Associations (Harper's Monthly, 1882A)

"Called to the Bar", by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

Outreach efforts of the YWCA (primarily temperance) in the refreshment "bars" serving railway stations.

St. Bernards of Brighton (Girl's Own Paper, 1890)

An account of the Sunday services held at the Invalid Gentlewoman's Home in Brighton.

How to Manage a Band of Hope, by Linda Gardiner (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

A "Band of Hope" is designed to teach children about temperance.

How to Manage a Band of Mercy, by Linda Gardiner (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

A "Band of Mercy" is designed to teach children about kindness to animals.

The Floating Church, by L.S. Lewis (The Strand, 1987B)

A canal boat used to serve the congregations of the Fens.

What It Means to Be a "Sister," by Flora Klickmann (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

The work of Church of England sisters and "dissenting" sisters.

• See also The Temperance Movement

Missions Abroad

Christian Missions (Harper's Monthly, 1875A)

A look at missionary work around the world.

Girls' Work in the Mission Field, by Mary Selwood (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

A look at life in India and China, and "how we favoured Englishwomen can help these poor unhappy sisters of ours" in each country.

A Farewell, by Anne Beale (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

Account of the departure of missionaries to Syria.

Girls' Work in the Mission Field: Europe, by Mary Selwood (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

An interesting look at the status of Christianity in Europe during Victorian times.

Medical Women for India, by Frances Hoggan, MD (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

On the need for female doctors, and training for women in medicine, in India, where most women were precluded from visiting male doctors. Interesting sidelight on the evolution of medical training for women in general.

In India with Medical Missionaries, by the Hon. Emily Kinnaird (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

A Missionary Album, by Eliza Brightwen (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

How to save and organize pictures from a mission trip.

White Versus Black: The Congo Training Institute for Native African Missionaries, Colwyn Bay, North Wales (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Girl Volunteers for South Africa (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

"Over three thousand British girls have volunteered to go out to South Africa to teach the little Boer children how to read, write, and spell and do their sums, and sing." Actually only 100 girls were requested, and this article spells out what they could expect in terms of working and living conditions.