William Connor Magee

“ That society is the society that Christ came to found upon earth; and what the State cannot do by its laws—what society dare not do by its forgiveness—the Church of the loving Saviour of men can do by the strength He puts into it, and by the love with which He fills it. It is in the Church, and in the Church of Christ alone, that there can be entire forgiveness for the penitent, because the Church of Christ alone is strong enough to overcome and reclaim. And therefore this work is especially the work of the Christian Church. I hold that it is eminently Christian work. ”

“ 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. ”

“ As for those who do not like the ritual, and do not approve of the offices—which, I confess, I do approve, although I might not adopt them myself—they need not go to worship there or subscribe to the Institution. They are not asked to do either. All they are asked to do is not to hinder others and discourage a good work. ”

“ 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. ”

“ There was a great deal of wisdom on the part of our ancestors in forming trade and workmen's guilds, because they held that the acquired wisdom and the improved practice of those who gathered together in those guilds became a common possession, and were handed on, not perishing with the individuals who possessed them, and becoming an hereditary gift to the community in which they were fostered and acquired. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”