This is not to say that we are to be doing other people’s work. Quite the reverse. The very essence of all good organisation is that everybody should do her (or his) own work in such a way as to help and not to hinder every one else’s work. But this being arranged, that any one should say, I am “put upon” by having to associate with so-and-so; or by _not_ having so-and-so to associate with; or, by not having such a post; or, by having such a post; or, by my Superiors “walking upon me,” or, “dancing” upon me (you may laugh, but such things have actually been said), or etc., etc.,--this is simply making the peace of God impossible, the call of God (for in all work He calls us) of none effect; it is grieving the Spirit of God; it is doing our best to make all free-will associations intolerable. In “Religious Orders” this is provided against by enforcing blind, unconditional obedience through the fears and promises of a Church. Does it not seem to you that the greater freedom of secular Nursing Institutions, as it requires (or ought to require) greater individual responsibility, greater self-command in each one, greater nobleness in each, greater _self-possession_ in _patience_--so, that very need of self-possession, of greater nobleness in each, requires (or ought to require) greater thought in each, more discretion, and higher, not less, obedience? For the obedience of intelligence, not the obedience of slavery, is what _we_ want. The slave obeys with stupid obedience, with deceitful evasion of service, or with careless eye service. Now, we cannot suppose God to be satisfied or pleased with stupidity and carelessness. The free woman in Christ obeys, or rather _seconds_ all the rules, all the orders given her, with intelligence, with all her heart, and with all her strength, and with all her _mind_. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” And you who have to be Head Nurses, or Sisters of Wards, well know what I mean, for you have to be Ward _Mistresses_ as well as Nurses; and how can she (the Ward Mistress) command if she has not learnt how to obey? If she cannot enforce upon herself to obey rules with discretion, how can she enforce upon her Ward to obey rules with discretion? III And of those who have to be Ward Mistresses, as well as those who are Ward Mistresses already, or in any charge of trust or authority, I will ask, if Sisters and Head Nurses will allow me to ask of them, as I have so often asked of myself-- What is it that made our Lord speak “as one having authority”? What was the key to _His_ “authority”? Is it anything which we, trying to be “like Him,” could have--like Him?