'xviii MEMOIR. 



is in itself evidence of the contagion of John Bedding's 

 enthusiasm. 



Beyond the inner circle of his own office, he sought and 

 welcomed the unfettered co-operation of other artists in his 

 work ; in the words of a young sculptor, " he gave us a 

 chance." He let them say their say instead of binding 

 them to repeat his own. God had His message to deliver 

 by them, and he made way that the world might hear it 

 straight from their lips. 



The same idea of sympathetic association, " fraternit 

 genereuse confiance mutuelle communaute de sym- 

 pathies et d'aspirations," has found embodiment in the 

 Art Workers' Guild, a society in which artists and 

 craftsmen of all the Arts meet and associate on common 

 ground. John Sedding was one of the original members of 

 this Guild, and its second Master. 



Of his connection with the Guild the Secretary writes : 

 " No member was ever more respected, none had more 

 influence, no truer artist existed in the Guild." And Mr. 

 Walter Crane: "His untiring devotion to the Guild through- 

 out his term of office, and his tact and temper, were beyond 

 praise." 



It must not be inferred from these facts that John 

 Sedding's sympathies were only for the world of Art, art- 

 workers, and art-ideals. He shared to the full the ardour 

 of his Socialist friends, in their aspirations for that new 

 order of more just distribution of all that makes for the 

 happiness of men, the coming "city which hath foundations 

 whose builder and maker is God." He did not share their 

 confidence in their methods, but he honoured their noble 

 humanity, and followed their movements with interest and 

 respect, giving what help he could. The condition of the 

 poor, especially the London poor, touched him to the quick 

 sometimes with indignation at their wrongs, sometimes 

 with deep compassion and humbled admiration at the 



