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but was marked with sound sense and judgment. I think there is as little likelihood of what are called the excesses—and there are excesses—and what are called extravagances—and there are extravagances—of ritualism being promoted and cherished in any institution presided over by the Dean of Lincoln as in any institution I know of. I know the Dean of Lincoln to be thoroughly loyal to the Prayer Book, and that he does not go out of it. As to ritualism, and the excesses of ritualism, I have no love for such things. But there is one thing I am not going to do in this diocese to please anybody: I am not going to set up my own ritual in this diocese as the rule for every one else. I hold that, being bound by my office, the centre of unity for work in the diocese, I am also bound to be, of all persons in the diocese, the most tolerant of everything that can be tolerated in the Church of England. (Cheers.) I am bound to fully satisfy myself that there is nothing in any ritual I vouch for, or in any work I take part in, that is disloyal to the Church of England. But loyalty to the Church of England is one thing, and loyalty to one section or party in the Church is another thing. I hold that within the broad and comprehensive limits of the Prayer Book of the Church of England there is room for a great many other persons than one who has written a letter to a newspaper and signed himself "Johannes," whoever he may be. (Laughter.) If any one supposes that because the ritual of these excellent women may, in some respects, be different to what I adopt, or would advise or require in every parish church in this diocese, in which all the parishioners have a right to go, and in which they have a right to require, within the very strictest letter of the law, that everything shall be kept within those bounds—if they suppose that, because I would not adopt it as my own ritual, or in my own house, that I am going to stop the excellent work of these women—if you think I am going to stop that work, and quarrel about "candle ends," you are very much mistaken. (Laughter and cheers.) I will do nothing so contemptible, so small-minded, or unmanly as anything of the kind. (Cheers.) I am thoroughly satisfied, having examined the offices and services of the institution, and having examined the whole ritual of the Sisterhood, that there is nothing which by fair and reasonable construction may not be taken to be fully and strictly within the limits of the Prayer Book of the Church of England. As for those who do not like the ritual, and do not approve of the offices—which, I confess, I do approve, although I
