Untitled - Electric Scotland

1863-67] SISTERHOODS AND VOWS 455
of every kind which has been evinced by those who have devoted
themselves to the work, and I must say that I think we ought not
to be too critical in judging of the precise way in which they
perform
Bishop
this work."
Wilberforce followed :
"
that after what has fallen from the Bishop
"
I think," he said,
of London, it would scarcely be wise to act on the suggestion of
the Lower House. There is a certain shrinking delicacy in such
movements, and I think it would be better to leave .those in
London under his care, and those in other dioceses under the
are of their spiritual guides, than to establish any formal rules,
or to take any formal steps in Convocation."
He accordingly moved a. resolution to the effect that it was
expedient that the "
guidance asked for should be sought
directly from the parochial clergy and the bishops of the
districts in which such devoted women labour."
The resolution was carried, and in the course of the
debate the Bishop of London called attention to the
ambiguity
"
of the word devoted :-
Etymologically," he said,
some reference to vows. . . . Now, anything
part
"
it might be supposed to have
like a vow on the
of individuals to devote themselves to this work is the last
we should recommend. It is most desirable that this
thing
should be clearly understood."
"
In my diocese," added the Bishop of Oxford,
"
I have
uniformly made it the condition of my connection with these
institutions, that their statutes shall state explicitly that they are
]
bound only so long as they please to continue in the Society."
The following letters explain themselves :-
Mr. to t/ie Bishop of London.
"December 26, 1865.
" MY LORD, I have to ask your Lordship s forgiveness, being
personally an entire stranger to your Lordship, for troubling you
J
Chronicle of Convocation, Feb. 14, 1862, pp. 963-968.