Untitled - Electric Scotland

1863-67] SISTERHOOD DIFFICULTIES 459
unauthorised departure from the principles of the Re
formed Church.
The differences which arose were occasional and rare,
but they did occur at times. A voluminous correspond
ence, for example, passed in 1867 between the Bishop and
one of the Sisterhoods named above. It seems undesir
able, either in this case or in any other, to make public
the particulars of a controversy which was necessarily of
a semi-private character. Only such letters therefore are
reproduced as will serve to make clear the Bishop s atti
tude upon the general questions at issue. The Sisters
had been dissatisfied with the ministrations of their
Chaplain, whose views were not quite in harmony with
those which they had themselves come to adopt. On a
vacancy occurring they requested the Bishop to sanction
the appointment of another gentleman whom they
named to him, and to whom the Bishop wrote as
follows :
" MY
The BisJiop of London to tJie Rev. .
"
WOODSIDE, WINDSOR FOREST,
28//* Aug. 1867.
DEAR SIR,- -The Lady Superior of tells me
that you are willing to undertake the gratuitous office of Chaplain
to the House as a temporary arrangement. I shall be glad to
sanction this plan if you see your way to agree to the following
conditions :-
"
i st. That habitual Confession shall not be urged upon the
Sisters or any inmates of the House.
"
2d. That no vows whatsoever shall be administered or
sanctioned by the Chaplain. I have expressed my views fully on
the subject of these points, as connected with Sisterhoods, in my
Charge of last December.
"
Feeling no doubt that you will understand my feelings on
these two points, and thanking you for your willingness to be of
use to the ladies of -
-, I am, my dear Sir, yours very truly,
"A. C. LONDON/