years she was a member of the Council of the National Unitarian Conference. She is a life member of the American Unitarian Association.
In 1887, through the eloquent appeals, and later the personal friendship, of Pundita Ramabai Mrs. Andrews became deeply interested in the condition of the high-caste child widows of India. In 1888 she was largely instrumental in the formation of the Ramabai Association, pledged for ten years to support Ramabai in her work for the redemption of her sisters and the uplifting of her people. To the Executive Committee, of which Mrs. Andrews was made chairman, was entrusted the official correspondence concerning the management of the Sharada Sadan (Home of Wisdom) at Poona, also the settlement of many delicate questions arising from a work so opposed to the customs of India. In 1894, as an officer of the association, Mrs. Andrews visited India, and passed nearly eight months at the Sharada Sadan, in daily intercourse with Ramabai and her pupils, becoming acquainted with the details of the home and school, learning the sad histories of the child widows, and studying their charac- teristics and capabilities. She visited some of the most important cities of India with Ra- mabai as "guide, philosopher, and friend,^' thus gaining an insight into the social customs and evils of the country such as she could have obtained in no other way. All of this experience enabled her to return to America with accurate knowledge and increased power to plead Ramabai's cause and to emphasize the purpose, the needs, and the wonderful success of the work. In 1898 the term of the original Ramabai Association expired; and the American Ramabai Association was then formed, to continue the work on nearly the same lines, which lines were strictly undenominational. At this organizatton Ramabai was present. Mrs. Andrews was again made chairman of the Executive Committee, and still holds the position. During the fifteen years' existence of the Ramabai Association it has had but three presidents, the Rev. Dr. Edward E. Hale, the Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott, the Rev. Dr. E. Winchester Donald. Among its officers have been some of the most prominent professional and business men and philanthropic and generous women of Boston. The reputation of this work and the interest in it are world-wide.
CHARLOTTE J. THOMAS may here be introduced as one who showed at an early age that she dared stand alone. From the time she became mistress of speech she has talked with decision and originality, neither quoting nor leaning upon the opinions of others. She has framed thought and utterance for herself with extraordinary spirit and vigor.
Miss Thomas's mother was a woman possessing much force of character and a disposition of great sweetness. She impressed upon her children's minds, while they were very young, that this "earth's unfortunates had a human claim upon them." She was connected with "the underground railway of the old slavery days," and many a fugitive from the South has had reason to bless her name. The daughter early became her mother's assistant and confidante, and all her life has aided the sick and suffering, the ambitious and the poor. Though her name has been associated with various organizations, the greater amount of her charitable work has been individual and unmentioned. The home of Miss Thomas is a noted one in Portland. "The Social Corner," as one of the family friends named it with so much truth, has become a familiar word, and stands for hospitality, music, originality, and good cheer. Guests of all classes are made welcome in this home with the fine courtesy which brings instant comfort. Entertainment is never offered in stereotyped form, but freedom of speech, quaint stories, and suddenly suggested plans give all the happy hours a tinge of surprise and novelty. It has been said of the historic Thomas mansion: "Notable people go there, but many others are invited. Not rank, but true manhood, true womanhood, the trying to do good in the spirit of brotherhood, is the passport to that house." In Old Home Week during the summer of 1900 Miss Thomas had her house decorated with flags and pictures, and inscribed with the word "Welcome" and the year in which it was built, 1800. Late
