We hear much of “Associations” now. It is impossible indeed to live in isolation: we are dependent upon others for the supply of all our wants, and others upon us. Every Hospital is an “Association” in itself. _We_ of this School are an Association in the deepest sense, regulated--at least we strive towards it--on high and generous principles; through organisation working at once for our own and our fellow Nurses’ success. For, to make progress possible, we must make this interdependence a source of good: not a means of standing still. There is no magic in the word “Association,” but there is a secret, a mighty call in it, _if_ we will but listen to the “still small voice” in it, calling upon each of us to do our best. It calls upon our dear heads, and they answer. It calls upon each of us. We must never forget that the “Individual” makes the Association. What the Association _is_ depends upon each of its members. A Nurses’ Association can never be a substitute for the individual Nurse. It is she who must, each in her measure, give life to the Association, while the Association helps _her_. We _have_ our dear heads. Thank God for them! Let us each one of us be a living member, according to her several ability. It is the individual that signifies--rather than the law or the rule. Has not every one who has experience of the world been struck by this: you may have the most admirable circumstances and organisations and examinations and certificates, yet, if the individual allows herself to sink to a lower level, it is all but a “tinkling cymbal” for her. It is how the circumstances are worked that signifies. Circumstances are opportunities. Rules may become a dead letter. It is the spirit of them that “giveth life.” It is the individual, inside, that counts, the level she is upon which tells. The rest is only the outward shell or envelope. She must become a “rule of thought” to herself through the Ruler. And on the other hand, it strikes you often, as a great man has said, if the individual finds herself afterwards in less admirable circumstances, but keeps her high level, and rises to a higher and a higher level still--if she makes of her difficulties, her opportunities--steps to ascend--she commands her circumstances; she is capable of the best Nursing work and spirit, capable of the best influence over her Patients. It is again, what the individual Nurse _is_ and can do during her _living_ training and _living_ work that signifies, not what she is certified for, like a steam-boiler, which is certified to stand so much pressure of work.