Many philanthropic and charitable societies in the town claimed her attention, and few appeals were made to her in vain. Mrs. Slade remembered vividly the great political events of the thirties, and she took an active part in Leeds in supporting the movement for the abolition of slavery and the Catholic Emancipation Act. The Reform Bill also claimed her interest, as well as other social measures during the great epoch making political events the forties. She could distinctly recall that when quite a child, she spent an evening in the company of Charlotte Bronte at the house of a mutual friend in Yorkshire and also remembered on invitation which she accepted to breakfast at the house of a prominent Leeds citizen, to meet Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the authoress of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," who was visiting England during the course of the antislavery campaign.
A gentle and charming woman herself, Mrs. Slade's whole life was devoted to helping and teaching others in less fortunate circumstances. Throughout her life she felt the great impression made upon her when, as a young girl, she was taken to one of the chapels where certain of her ancestors on her mother's side worshipped about the year 1665. There she was shown a secret chamber concealed behind the old-fashioned wainscotted walls, where the Nonconformist ministers of that day had to hide themselves in order to escape the rigours of the "Conventicle Act" and the "Five Mile Act" which were then in force. A vigorous supporter of the anti-vivisection movement, Mrs. Slade declared that “vivisection without anaesthetics was un-Christian, unmanly and barbarously cruel."
Liberals in Hastings owed to this wonderful old lady a deep debt of gratitude for the work which she did well for the cause in the 'nineties. The formation of the Women's Liberal Association was to some extent due to her efforts, and she was appointed its first President. At that time the idea of women taking part in politics was scouted and many local leaders viewed the Women's Liberal Association with dismay. Mrs. Slade, however never did anything except she did it well, and she gave all her energies to the work. A capable public speaker, she presented a striking appearance on the platform with her Quaker-like bonnet, and gentle features lined with years of labour for others.
Perhaps the branch of work most deeply rooted in her heart was the Bourne-street Mission, which she founded. The Mission began classes for mutual improvement in reading, writing and arithmetic amongst the fisher-folk of the Old Town. Every Sunday evening year in and year out Mrs. Slade was at the Mission Room teaching and helping all who attended there; whilst almost every evening during the week there were classes for mothers and young girls conducted by the indefatigable founder.
On Sunday mornings she taught at what was then known as the New Hall. Priory-street, and, of course, her interest in the work of the Congregation Church in Robertson-street was unflagging. Mrs. Slade was blessed with a happy family life. was married to Mr. William Slade, bookseller, of Leeds, on February 11th, 1850. and it was in consequence of his failing health that he and Mrs. Slade came to Hastings. Their golden wedding, celebrated in 1909, was an occasion of great rejoicing amongst their host of friends. Presentations were then made to Mrs. by the members of the Bourne-, street Mission and the Hastings Women's Liberal Association. A special medal was struck in commemoration of the event. Mrs. Slade's husband predeceased her 22 years ago. There are three sons. Mr. William, Mr. R. E. Slade. who resides at Harrogate. and Mr. Edward Slade, and two daughters, Mrs. Strickland, a well-known social worker and supporter of the local Labour Party, and Mrs. Thorpe, widow of the former Borough Accountant, the late Mr. F. H. Thorpe.
It is interesting to recall that one of the late Mr. Slade's relatives was Mr. Felix Slade. whose bequests of valuable glass, as well as rare books and engravings, formed a munificent gift to the British Museum. Mr. Felix Slade was Proctor-at-lnn, but will best remembered for his benefaction for foundation of the Professorship of Fine Arts and Scholarship in Oxford. Cambridge, and London Universities. He also founded and endowed the School, referred to recently in "The Times" as "probably the best school of drawing in Europe."
Amongst many others, Muriel Matters-Porter was present at the service, which opened with prayer, after which the hymn, " God, our help in ages past," was sung. The minister made fitting reference to Mrs. Slade's long life. Their feelings that day, he said, were those of unbounded thanksgiving for the life of their sister, to whose memory they were paying their tribute of regard and real affection. He felt that it was not he himself speaking that afternoon, but that Mrs. Slade was speaking—speaking as she spoke all through her life. She was saying, "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." No one knew of words in literature more completely expressing the life than Mrs. Slade. She was steadfast, a woman of strong conviction all through her life. She had her convictions and she was not afraid or ashamed to fight for them. They led to controversy, but on her side it was always controversy carried on with truth and dignity. With her steadfastness she was unmovable.
He recalled the first occasion when he met Mrs. Slade. It was in October, 1912, and she was nearly ninety years of age. He met her in the Priory-street Institute conducting her Bible Class. It was only the remnant of the magnificent work she carried on with other zealous workers she had gathered round her at the Bourne. Her steadfastness, she carried on her Bible Class on until practically all her old friends who had attended the classes had gone. He had said something in his Sunday morning sermon, but in her ear she had grasped the one point and she did not agree with him. Further, she told him so, but he would not mind if people told him they did not agree with him if it was told in the same spirit as Mrs. Slade had done. She was steadfast and unmovahle, and she was not afraid to say so. They all knew how abounding in every good work she was.
The work she did in Hastings, the causes she stood for, were sometimes very unpopular. It made no difference to her, they were the causes in which she believed with all her might and soul. In the Old Town and in the Bourne she carried on work which, however difficult, she felt was work which God Himself had called her to do. She worked for those whom they sometimes called the "under-dog," and those whom she had worked for and helped were there that day in gratitude. Only the other day a man working on road work at Red Lake stopped Mrs. Strickland and asked about her mother. That man had had associations with Mrs. Slade in the work she carried on in the Old Town years ago. She had been laid aside for a number of years, but herl memory was green to many men and women who knew her years ago. They could be perfectly sure that " the peace which passeth all understanding " was hers for ever. At the graveside a small band of mourners! and friends gathered to pay their final tributes.
