Untitled - Electric Scotland

LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [en. xvi.
took place in the Institution which our Church condemns. I
felt that if ladies, members of our Church, desire to live together
and cultivate good works for Christ s sake under rules which
separate them outwardly from worldly people, they will be
enabled to do this most safely if they subject themselves to such
restraints as the Visitorship of the Bishop of the diocese implies.
It would be a great mistake to suppose that I myself personally
think the mode of serving God which these ladies have chosen
the best or the most accordant with the simple spirit of the
Gospel ; but I conceive it to be my duty in my position to be
ready to guide and, so far as I can, to save from error many who
are working heartily for God, though not in the way which I my
self think the best. . . . One point I was most strongly impressed
with the importance of, and endeavoured to incorporate distinctly
in the rules of the Institution : that no lady was to join it with
out the full consent of those who had a right to guide her actions
in domestic life ; and that every one who joined it should be
made to feel that she is perfectly free to leave it when she pleases,
and also that there would be no sin in her doing so if at any time
she conscientiously thought she would serve God better, and
better fulfil her duties in life, elsewhere.
"
Of course there is always danger lest persons (especially
females) of strong imagination may persuade
themselves that
there is some peculiar sanctity in the life these ladies lead, not
to be found in the quiet discharge of domestic duties. I have en
deavoured to impress upon all who have applied to me respecting
this Institution that such is not my view. . . .
will enable me to check any abuses which
My office of Visitor
may be brought to
my notice, and it makes me ready to give directions to Miss
Byron and the other ladies as to the best mode of conducting the
Institution according to the rules of the Church of England when
I am requested to do so. I am, my dear Mrs. Lancaster, yours
A. C. LONDON."
very truly,
There were many points,
both of doctrine and of
practice, on which Bishop Tait and Bishop Wilberforce
were at variance, but, as Bishop Tait used frequently to
say, they were absolutely at one with respect to Sister
hoods. The principles upon which they insisted as a
condition of their acceptance of the office of Visitor were