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my own office amongst you—though I trust I can never forget the magnitude and heavy responsibilities of that office; but I must always remember the moral influence of many Churchmen, and I think I may add, after what we have heard to-day, the kindly feeling not a few Non-conformists still entertain towards the possessor of that office. I think the presence of the Bishop, in taking part in any new movement in his diocese, however, does mean something, because, if a Bishop is at all worthy of his office, and at all sensible of the duties of that office, he will not lightly engage in any new organisation. Before he takes part in any new work, he must have satisfied himself clearly that it was a work conducted on right principles and on sound methods, and he has no right, as the Bishop of a diocese, to stand up in the presence of a diocese and say, "I approve of this work, and ask you to join in it," unless he is perfectly satisfied it is a good and right and sound work. I venture to assure you that I have not taken part in to-day's proceedings without very careful enquiry, and without full and sufficient satisfaction of my own mind upon every point. In the first place I had to satisfy myself that there was a special work for this organisation to do, because I must be naturally jealous of new organisations when there is so much for old associations to do. In any new work I am certainly bound to be satisfied it is a necessary work before I can join in it, for fear of injuring other organisations. One of the first questions I had to satisfy myself upon was this,—Is it an unnecessary work; is it unduly interfering with any other work of the same kind? Upon that point you have had abundant evidence that this work is a distinctive work, and that it is not interfering with, but largely auxiliary to, other work of the same kind. I have been clearly satisfied on that point. I am thankful to know, and I am thoroughly convinced, that this association is not an opponent or rival of any kindred association in existence in Leicester or the diocese, but that it is the handmaid of the other associations, and that it is so recognised and welcomed by those interested in the other associations. Then I am bound to satisfy myself as to the principles and method of work. And as to its method of work, I was confronted by the fact that this work was conducted by a Sisterhood. With regard to that, I was heartily glad to hear it; and I do not hesitate to stand up in the presence of my own diocese and say that I am heartily glad of this work being done by a Sisterhood, because I believe it is work for which a
