THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH ON SISTERHOODS.
(From the "Leicester Journal".)
A PUBLIC MEETING in aid of the Refuge for Fallen Women, situate in the Newarke, Leicester, was held on Thursday afternoon, April 15th, 1886, in the County Assembly Rooms. There was a large attendance. The Bishop of Peterborough occupied the chair. After devotional exercises, the Rev. L. Clayton moved —
"That this meeting is of opinion that a temporary refuge, to which fallen women may have ready access, but without any pledge to make a lengthened stay, is urgently needed in this town and neighbourhood, and it heartily commends the refuge in the Newarke, established by the Leicester Ruridecanal Church of England Purity Society, and under the management of the Wantage Sisterhood, to the confidence and support of the town and county."
The Bishop of Peterborough, prior to asking a vote on the subject, said,—This resolution, in every word of which I agree, has been very ably and sufficiently supported in the speeches to which you have listened; still, I think, there remains for me the utterance of a few words more in further support of what you are asked to help and assist, and which ought to come from me, and which, perhaps, cannot quite as well come from any one else. In the first place, let me say with what thankfulness I have seen the refuge work which has been organised within the last few months. I regard it as the practical outcome of that society for promoting purity, which, you will remember, about two years ago it was agreed in this room, by a resolution of the diocesan conference, should be instituted in this diocese. (Cheers). It was then asked with some force,—"What can this society do?" but I am very glad to see what it has been doing already in Leicester. I rejoice that the local branch of the Church of England Purity Society has put its hand to work so practically and so manifestly blessed of God as this has been to you already. Let me say further, that I think the presence and support of the Bishop of the Diocese on such an occasion as this has an importance and significance of its own. I say that, as not at all magnifying
