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 BV 4422 .P7 1873 
 
 Potter, Henry Codman, 1834- 
 
 1908. 
 Sisterhoods and deaconesses 
 
SISTERHOODS OOi i4.i,25 
 
 A-iSTD DEA.COIsrESSES 
 
 AT HOME AND ABROAD 
 
 BY THE 
 
 KEY. HEMY C. POTTER, D.D. 
 mectoi' of Grace Chicrchj JVew Tork 
 
 -#% 
 
 E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 
 
 713 Broadway 
 
 1873 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 
 
 E. P. BUTTON & CO., 
 In the oflSce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 ^NLANO ST6HE0TYPE FOUNDRY,^ 
 SUFFOLK COUNTY, N. Y. J 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 Prefatory Note 5 
 
 I. Introductory 7 
 
 IL Keport on Woman's Work 17 
 
 HL Letters from Abroad 34 
 
 IV. SiSTEEHOODS AND DeACONESSES AT HoME 91 
 
 1. Sisterhood of tlie Holy Commnnion, New York 92 
 
 2. Order of Deaconesses of the Piocese of Maryland . . 118 
 
 3. Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd, Baltimore 152 
 
 4. Order of Deaconesses of the Diocese of Alabama . . 180 
 
 5. Sisterhood of St. Mary, New York 205 
 
 6. Bishop Potter Memorial House, Philadelphia. . .... 210 
 
 7. Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd, New York 233 
 
 8. Sisterhood of St. John, Washington, D. C 239 
 
 9. Deaconesses of the Diocese of Long Island 255 
 
 V. Sisterhoods A^^) Deacodtesses Abboad 271 
 
 1. Sisterhood of St. John Baptist, Clewer 274 
 
 2. Mildmay Deaconesses' House, London 290 
 
 3. Kaiserswerth, on the Bhine 297 
 
 4. Sisters of the Society of the Exaltation of the Holy 
 
 Cross, St. Petersburg 345 
 
PEEFATOEY NOTE. 
 
 >i«<o 
 
 rilHIS volume was mainly ready for the press 
 JL some months ago, but has been delayed, partly 
 by the pressure of parochial duties, and partly by 
 the desire to make it as nearly as possible a com- 
 plete history of Sisterhoods and Deaconesses' 
 Associations in the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 in the United States. This it is believed to be ; 
 while in the accounts furnished of similar organi- 
 zations abroad, it is hoped that there will be 
 found an impartial description of societies which, 
 differing widely from one another, are recognized 
 as representative in their character. 
 
 Whatever measure of information the follow- 
 ing pages may furnish, is largely due to the kind 
 assistance of the venerable Bishop of Maryland, 
 the Rt. Rev. Dr. Whittingham, of whose prompt 
 and generous help, the undersigned desires to 
 make grateful and affectionate mention. 
 
 H. C. R 
 
 Grace Chuech Eectoet, New- York, 
 All Saint's Day, 1872. 
 
T. 
 
 Il^TEODUOTOKT. 
 
 THE PRESENT ASPECT OF WOMEN'S WORK. 
 
 THE year 1871 marked an important era in the 
 history of women's work. At the meeting 
 of the Board of Missions, of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church in 1869, the following resolution 
 was, after some discussion, adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of this Board be appointed, to 
 report, at the next annual meeting, on the subject of the 
 Organized Services of Women, as a most important feature of 
 missionary work. 
 
 In accordance with this resolution, the Revs. 
 J. A. Harris and J. W. Claxton, and Mr. ^yi^iam 
 Welsh, were appointed a Committee, who, at the 
 meeting of the Board in 1870, presented a Report, 
 to which were appended the following resolu- 
 tions : 
 
 . Resolved, That this Board hereby recognizes the tested 
 value of organizations of trained laity, and especially of Chris- 
 tian women, in prosecuting the aggressive work of the Church. 
 Resolved, That a Committee of Bishops, Clergy, and laity be 
 
8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 appointed by tlio Chair, whose duty it shall be to consider and 
 report to the next meeting of this Board the best means of 
 associating the organized or individual efforts of women with 
 the missionary and educational work of the Church. 
 
 The adoption of the resolutions was in itself an 
 important step. It was a recognition on the part 
 of the authorized missionary organization of the 
 Church, of the value of associated Christian 
 women in the Church's work, and it provided for 
 a still further step. That step was taken by the 
 appointment of a Committee, consisting of the 
 Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., Rt. Rev. H. W. 
 Lee, D.D., Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., Rev. J. W. 
 Claxton, Rev. J. F. Spaulding, Messrs. Wm. Welsh, 
 and Geo. N. Titus, to whom was committed the 
 duty of considering and submitting to the next 
 meeting of the Board, a plan for associating with, 
 and engrafting upon, the present missionary 
 agencies of the Church, the organized, as well 
 as individual work of women. 
 
 The report of that Committee will be found 
 next in order among the contents of this volumei 
 and the adoption of the resolutions appended to 
 it, which were acted upon with an unexpected 
 measure of cordiality and unanimity, and without 
 alteration or amendment, at once committed the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 9 
 
 Church both to the recognition and adoption of 
 associations of women for work in the Church, in 
 Sisterhoods or otherwise, and also placed its 
 stamp of approval upon the commissioning of 
 godly women for service, in parishes or else- 
 where, as Deaconesses. 
 
 It has been said, above, that this action marked 
 an era in the history of women's work. It 
 certainly did not inaugurate that work, for it had 
 been widely undertaken long before. Nor did 
 it contribute to its efficiency by defining its 
 methods or limits. Happily, these have been 
 left as free and unrestricted, alike by the action 
 of the Board of Missions of the Episcopal Church, 
 and by its late General Convention, as they 
 were before. But what was widely wanted was 
 the Church's seal of approval, and its definite 
 and hearty recognition, of organizations and 
 associations already in existence. Both Sister- 
 hoods and Deaconesses' associations were at 
 work in different parts of the Church in the 
 United States for some time before the meeting 
 of the Board of Missions in 1871. But they 
 enjoyed, at the best, but a partial measure of 
 confidence or approval, and were looked upon 
 
10 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 by many sincere and earnest persons, with some- 
 thing of distrust, if not with something more of 
 disapprobation. It was necessary, therefore, 
 that the Church, in its missionary Council, and 
 under circumstances of gravity and deliberation, 
 should put itself upon record in regard to 
 them. 
 
 This was the chief significance of the Report 
 which stands next in this volume. There will 
 always be many persons who have serious doubts 
 concerning either Deaconesses or Sisterhoods, 
 and who see in the introduction of such agencies 
 in the Church's work something of danger to her 
 truest welfare. It -will be an evil day if such 
 persons are ever denied the right, not merely to 
 hold and defend such opinions, but also to organ- 
 ize for Christian usefulness in those other and less 
 formal ways which such opinions imply. But, 
 meantime, those who do not share their appre- 
 hensions, and to whom, diligently reading Holy 
 Scripture and ancient authors, it is evident that 
 from the earliest days of the Church's history 
 there have been such orders and authorized 
 agencies, are entitled to be protected from the 
 imputation that, in striving to revive those orders 
 
At Home and Abroad. ii 
 
 and agencies among us, they are unfaithful to the 
 Church's Reformed character or distinctive stand- 
 ards. Such protection, the recent action of the 
 Church in her Board of Missions secures to them ; 
 and while no particular method or organization 
 is required of devout women willing to work for 
 Christ, such organizations as are described in this 
 volume are placed within the lines of the Church's 
 unequivocal countenance and approval. 
 
 In consequence of this recognition on the part 
 of the general councils of the Church, there has 
 been awakened a wide-spread interest in the 
 whole matter of Sisterhoods and Deaconesses* 
 associations, and a very general inquiry as to 
 their modes of organization, and methods of 
 operation. It is the aim of this volume to answer 
 such inquiries. It does not undertake to discuss 
 the general questions as to the scriptural author- 
 ity, primitive and mediaeval history, or general 
 expediency of such associations, all of which have 
 been very ably and abundantly treated of in such 
 volumes as Dean Howson's Deaconesses,'^ Mr. 
 
 * Deaconesses, or the Official help of Women in Parochial 
 Work, and in Charitable Institutions, by the very Rev. J. S. 
 Howson, D.D. London : Longmans, 1862. 
 
12 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Ludlow's WomeTi's Work in the C/mrch;^ Miss 
 Goodman's Sisterhoods in the Church of England, ^ 
 &c. (to which readers of this volume who may 
 desire to investigate those questions are referred), 
 but rather to afford models of organization and to 
 furnish more particular information as to details 
 of work and rules of government for such persons 
 in our own Church as may desire to labor in and 
 through such organizations themselves, or to set 
 them in operation for others. 
 
 For this purpose the following pages include 
 sketches of all the Sisterhoods and Deaconesses' in- 
 stitutions at present in existence in our own Church 
 in this country, together with information concern- 
 ing the institution at Clewer, England, the 
 '' Mildmay Deaconesses Home" in London, and 
 the Training House for Deaconesses at Kaisers- 
 worth on the Rhine. ^Together with these, are 
 forms for the setting apart of Sisters, Deacon- 
 esses, and helpers. 
 
 The question of the comparative advantages 
 
 * WomarHs Worh in the Church. Historical Notes on Deacon- 
 esses and Sisterhoods, by J. M. Ludlow. Strahan, 1866, 
 
 t Sisterhoods in the Church of England, with Notices of somo 
 of the Charitable Sisterhoods of the Komish Church, by Mar- 
 garet Goodman. London : Smith, Elder, & Co. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 13 
 
 of Sisterhoods and Associations of Deaconesses 
 is not discussed in this volume, simply because it 
 is one aside from its general aim. Whatever 
 may be the various opinions as to this question, 
 (and they will be apt to differ as widely as men 
 and women are wont to differ concerning other 
 questions of method,) it is certainly not desirable 
 that the experiment of associating women with 
 the organized work of the Church, (if at this late 
 day it can be called an experiment,) should be 
 unduly narrowed or hampered by any restrictions 
 as to the mode of organization. Let it only be 
 distinctly kept in view that the American Church 
 has recognized and accepted such organizations 
 as agencies for a higher and more unreserved 
 type of Christian activity, and not as refuges for 
 a merely contemplative pietism, — as enrolling 
 women to be yoke-fellows, not recluses, — workers, 
 not dreamers, — and it can hardly matter greatly 
 by what name they are known, or under what 
 particular form of commission they labor. 
 
 As time goes by, experience will probably de- 
 cide that Sisterhoods will be wanted at some 
 points, e.g., especially in connection with schools, 
 etc., and associations of Deaconesses at others. 
 
14 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 That experience, when combined with the light 
 recently thrown upon the scriptural authority for, 
 and primitive antiquity of the office of Deaconess, 
 will surely demonstrate that the revival of that 
 office is indispensable to the fullest and most 
 efficient development of the Church's working 
 powers, and that for want of it, to use the striking 
 but not too forcible language of another,* " The 
 Church has long remained maimed in one of her 
 hands'' 
 
 Meantime, what is most urgently needed is, 
 that women to whom God has given the desire, 
 and aptitude, and freedom from domestic ties, 
 which are more or less indispensable for this 
 especial consecration to His service, should be 
 brought to recognize the advantages of organized 
 and duly commissioned work, and encouraged to 
 give themselves to it. To this end there may 
 well be, on the part of the clergy and others 
 interested in this branch of the Church's activities, 
 some more general and systematic endeavor than 
 has yet been made to call the attention ol such 
 women as are above referred to, to the subject of 
 
 * Canon Liglitfoot on a Wresh Bevision of the English New 
 Testament. London : MacMillan & Co., 1871. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 15 
 
 associated service for Christ, and to invite them, 
 when expedient, to enter upon its privileges and 
 responsibilities. Let it be clearly and distinctly- 
 proclaimed that the cause of the Master is wait- 
 ing for woman's help ! 
 
 In conclusion, it may not be amiss to offer a 
 single suggestion to those who are committed to 
 the present movement in behalf of the revival 
 among us of Sisterhoods and the order of Deacon- 
 esses, and who are perhaps impatient that that 
 revival advances so slowly. The general recog- 
 nition and adoption of such an agency in the 
 Church's work as that to which this volume refers, 
 amounts almost to an organic change. But 
 organic changes, if they are to be healthy, must 
 not be unduly hastened. There are so many 
 prejudices to be overcome, there are such ample 
 swaddling-clothes of inherited antipathies to be 
 outgrown, that it must needs be some time before 
 this arm of the Church's warfare shall enjoy the 
 confidence which many wise and godly men and 
 women among us, nevertheless, believe that it 
 deserves. Meantime, it will be a happy augury 
 for its future acceptance and usefulness, if those 
 who believe in the commissioned agency of 
 
i6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 woman in the service of Christ and His Church, 
 shall be enabled to commend that agency to 
 others by the wisdom and moderation and loving 
 consideration towards even the prejudices of 
 others, with which they seek to enlarge and 
 extend it. 
 
II. 
 
 EEPORT OJST "WOMEIT'S WOEK." 
 
 Read before the ^' Board of Missions^' on the even- 
 ing of October i6, 1871 . 
 
 THE Committee appointed under the following 
 resolution, adopted at the last annual meet- 
 ing of the Board of Missions, to wit : 
 
 Besolved, That a Committee of bishops, clergy, and laity be 
 appointed by the chair, whose duty it shall be to consider and 
 report to the next meeting of this Board the best means of 
 associating the organized or individual efforts of women with 
 the missionary and educational work of the Church, 
 
 Beg leave respectfully to report that they have 
 given the subject thus committed to them their 
 most serious consideration ; and, in seeking for 
 those practical measures toward which it looks, 
 have availed themselves, not only of the wisdom 
 of those of largest experience in connection with 
 woman's missionary or educational efforts among 
 ourselves, but also, as the appendix to this re- 
 port will show, of the counsel of some of the 
 
 2 (17) 
 
i8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 most successful organizers and administrators of 
 missionary efforts by women in our Mother 
 Church of England, and in other lands. 
 
 In approaching the question, "What are the 
 best means of associating the organized or indi- 
 vidual efforts of women with the missionary and 
 educational work of the Church ?" the Committee 
 rejoice to believe that it is no longer necessary 
 to argue the right of women to participate in 
 such work, nor to participate in it under the 
 obligations and restrictions of organized socie- 
 ties and Sisterhoods. Indeed, to quote the lan- 
 guage of a recent Episcopal address,"^ the sub- 
 ject " may be said to have passed through all the 
 stages of inquiry and consideration usually pre- 
 liminary to practical action." But, ''yet very 
 little has been done. The whole subject floats to 
 most minds in ideal vagueness. In the general 
 thought among us it stands out as a beautiful 
 abstraction, about which many fine things have 
 been said and written, but which few have been 
 found willing to endeavor in any earnest way to 
 convert into reality." 
 
 * Bishop Littlejohn, before the Long Island Convention of 
 1871. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 19 
 
 It is because this Committee believes that the 
 time has come for such misty generalization to 
 end, that it ventures, without further prelude, to 
 pass directly to the question of methods. 
 
 {a.) It is obvious enough that any extended 
 scheme for enlisting women, actively and prac- 
 tically, in the missionary work of the Church, 
 must take its rise in those various organizations 
 of the Church's life which are already in existence 
 and in operation. In other words, if the Church 
 would utilize the energies of women, she must 
 begin not with some huge machinery, which 
 shall wholly disregard all ties already existing, 
 but primarily, with woman in her parochial re- 
 lations. The parish must, at the outset, be the 
 awakener and educator in this direction of every 
 soul within its limits, whose dignity it is to share 
 the cares of Mary, and Martha, and Salome. 
 
 There are multitudes of parishes in the land 
 where there are missionary societies, in the sense 
 of there being societies to minister to the phy- 
 sical wants of the Jiwigiy, and iiaked, and nn- 
 cared-for, but there are very few societies or 
 Sisterhoods where the aim is missionary in that 
 larger sense which seeks to carry the whole Gos- 
 
20 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 pel, — not the bread of earth without the water 
 of life, nor yet the religious tract without the 
 food for the body, but both together, in a large- 
 hearted, wide-minded effort to rescue and save 
 souls. 
 
 And yet the history of missions, whether in 
 our own or foreign lands, demonstrates unan- 
 swerably that the power of wornan^ as a mission- 
 ary, when it has been ripened and directed by 
 warmth of cooperation and wisdom of counsel, 
 is almost incalculable. And, therefore, the Com- 
 mittee would urge as indispensably initial to the 
 successful realization of any extensive plan for 
 enlisting women in the missionary work of the 
 Church, the speedy organization of godly and 
 discreet women in parishes into parochial Sister- 
 hoods ; or, where this is impracticable, into 
 other less distinctive associations, with the defi- 
 nite aim of seeking and saving the lost sheep for 
 whom Christ died. 
 
 As it is, there is, with all our professed faith 
 in organizations of women, a pitiful paucity of 
 results. The Committee cannot believe that this 
 is because there are no women in all our par- 
 ishes with the unselfishness, the tact, and the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 21 
 
 genuine love of souls, which are necessary for 
 missionary work, but rather because such women 
 have never had the claims of such zvork dis- 
 tinctly and persistently urged upon them. It is 
 no exaggeration to say that there are thousands 
 of women in this land and in this Church, with 
 the gifts, the leisure, and the opportunities, if 
 they were only shown how to use them, for 
 doing great and blessed service for their Lord. 
 They are bidden to ^^ give, give,'' but what .'' 
 Money, garments, tracts, — anything and every- 
 thing, save that which their Lord wants first 
 and most, and that is, themselves, — wholly, ab- 
 solutely, and unreservedly, in a life and service 
 consecrated to Him and His, forever ! 
 
 And even what they do give of service or 
 thought for Christ's poor or ignorant ones under 
 our present system, or want of system, they can 
 only give in a desultory, half-hearted, spasmodic 
 way. A woman '* living at home is often sur- 
 rounded by friends and relations who take little 
 or no interest in her attempts at work for the 
 Master," even if they are not annoyed by them. 
 It is not only very difficult but scarcely becom- 
 ing for her to assert the importance of her own 
 
22 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 voluntary undertakings ; and yet the thought- 
 lessness of others in making demands upon her 
 time often reduces her to the necessity of doing 
 so, if she would not have all her strength frit- 
 tered away upon trifles, which she rightly feels 
 to be altogether unworthy of her energies. 
 
 Even in one's own mind it is difficult to ad- 
 just such conflicting claims as those of poverty 
 or ** ignorance" on the one hand, and relation- 
 ship on the other, — very painful to assert engage- 
 ments to the " physically or spiritually destitute," 
 as a reason for withdrawing from domestic or 
 social engagements. ** Modesty and sincerity 
 alike shrink from appearing to attach more impor- 
 tance to one's own wretched dabblings in cha- 
 rity than others are willing to concede to them ; 
 and yet there is a sense of sacredness about the 
 obligation to the needy and outcast, which 
 makes it impossible to be easy in throwing aside 
 engagements for their benefit whenever they 
 may happen to clash with engagements of mere 
 pleasure. Such conflicts can never arise in a 
 life planned altogether with reference to works 
 of charity ; and only those who have suffered 
 from them, as have Christian women everywhere, 
 
At Home and Abroad. 23 
 
 can estimate the value of any well-tried and 
 trustworthy means of escape. To be torn in two 
 directions by the attempt to carry on two differ- 
 ent undertakings, or to fulfil two different sets 
 of relation at once, almost doubles the fatigue 
 of each ; and from such distractions of mind, 
 organized Sisterhoods, or similar associations, 
 though your Committee by no means hold them 
 to be always and everywhere alike indispensable, 
 do unquestionably offer effectual protection. "^•' 
 
 In other words, the Church cannot afford to 
 fritter away one of her mightiest forces, when it 
 can most surely be conserved and increased by 
 wise and judicious organization. And therefore 
 the Committee would recommend the practical 
 adoption of the plan of organized Sisterhoods (a.) 
 in our several parishes. What work such 
 Sisterhoods shall undertake, how far they shall 
 be charitable or educational, or both, in their 
 aims, must depend on the fields in which they are 
 called to work, and the unavoidable limitation 
 of means and numbers by which they may be re- 
 stricted. But many a parish possesses already the 
 germ of an efficient Sisterhood in the Dorcas, or 
 * " The Service of the Poor," pp. 232, 233. 
 
24 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Sewing, or Benevolent Societies, at present at 
 work in it. Let such societies be lifted'to the level 
 of something higher than half-social, half-bene- 
 ficent associations. Let them classify them- 
 selves into full and associate Sisters. Let them 
 have a rule of life, and a definite bond of union. 
 Let them be led to recognize their capabili- 
 ties in carrying on the aggressive and educa- 
 tional work of the Church, and who does not 
 know that multitudes of earnest and godly 
 women, working now timidly, hesitatingly, and 
 therefore feebly, would go forth in a sense of re- 
 cognized place and definite responsibility in the 
 Master's service, to do for Him and for His Church 
 such a work as our doubting hearts have never 
 dreamed of 
 
 (^.) From parochial Sisterhoods (which, it 
 may be well to remark, may be either Sister- 
 hoods connected with a single parish, or, in 
 places of limited population, may consist of any 
 association of women from different parishes) 
 the advance is naturally and inevitably to dio- 
 cesan Sisterhoods. These, from their more 
 responsible position, should be composed of 
 women of enlarged experience, and of con- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 25 
 
 spicuous aptitudes for missionary or educational 
 work. 
 
 They should not only be subject in common 
 with all parochial Sisterhoods to the general 
 supervision and unreserved inspection of the 
 bishop, but also in a sense peculiar and exclusive, 
 to his need and call. We have as yet no Sister- 
 hoods in this country available for diocesan 
 work, and yet it must be obvious that, in a 
 land like ours, with its opening and expanding 
 field of usefulness, there must often arise occa- 
 sions when a community might almost be won en 
 masse to Christ and His Church if, at the critical 
 moment, the bishop could command a few devout 
 and judicious women to carry the Gospel into 
 its homes ; to open schools ; to gather in the 
 young ; to organize pious persons already to be 
 found there for Christian work, and thus to form 
 a nucleus, around which a momentary enthusi- 
 asm might permanently and healthfully crystal- 
 lize. 
 
 And at this point it is proper that the Com- 
 mittee should urge upon the recognition of this 
 Board, as a very important means of enabling 
 the Church to avail itself of the organized 
 
26 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 efforts of women, what is known in our mother 
 Church of England as the order of Deaconesses. 
 The Committee venture to include in this report 
 the following statement of "general principles" 
 and " proposed rules," drawn up and concurred 
 in at a recent conference in England, by the 
 Bishops of Ely, Chester, Salisbury, Peterbo- 
 rough, and Bath and Wells, and sundry of the 
 clergy of their several dioceses, and communi- 
 cated to the Church at large by the Very Reve- 
 rend Dr. Howson, the Dean of Chester, who has 
 so recently and so happily addressed this Board 
 in this place : 
 
 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 (a.) Definition of a deaconess. 
 
 A deaconess is a woman set apart by a bishop, under that title, 
 for service in the Church. 
 
 (b.) Relation of a deaconess to a bishop. 
 
 (1.) No deaconess, or deaconess-institution, shall officially 
 accept or resign work in a diocese without the exj^ress authority 
 of the bishop of that diocese, which authority may at any time 
 be withdrawn. 
 
 (2. ) A deaconess shall be at liberty to resign her commission 
 as deaconess, or may be deprived of it by the bishop of the dio- 
 cese in which she is working. 
 
 (c. ) Relation of a deaconess to an incumbent 
 
 No deaconess shall officially accept work in a parish (except 
 it be in some non-parochial position, as in a hospital or the like. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 27 
 
 without tlie express authority of the incumbent of that parish) 
 which authority may at any time be withdrawn. 
 
 (d.) Relation of a deaconess to a deaconess-institution. 
 
 In all matters not connected with the parochial or other sys- 
 tem under which she is summoned to work, a deaconess may, if 
 belonging to a deaconess-institution, act in harmony with the 
 general rules of such institution. 
 
 The bishops above named have also united in 
 setting forth the following " suggested rules :" 
 
 (a.) Probation. 
 
 It is essential that none be admitted as a deaconess without 
 carefal previous preparation, both technical and religious : 
 
 (}).) Dress. 
 
 A deaconess should wear a dress which is at once simple and 
 distinctive. 
 
 (c.) Religious knowledge. 
 
 It is essential to the efficiency of a deaconess that she should 
 maintain her habit of prayer and meditation, and aim at contin- 
 ual progress in religious knowledge. 
 
 (d.) Designation and signature. 
 
 It is desirable that a deaconess should not drop the use of 
 her siu-nnme : and, with this end in view, it is suggested that 
 her official designation should be ^'Deaconess A. B." (Christian 
 and surname), and her official signature should be "J.. JB., Dea- 
 coness." 
 
 P. S. — It is desirable that each deaconess-institution should 
 have a body of associates attached to it, for the purpose of gen- 
 eral counsel and cooperation. 
 
 J. London, G. Saeum, 
 
 E. H. Ely, W. C. Petep.borough, 
 
 "W. Chestek, a. Bath and Wells. 
 
 The Committee respectfully commend these 
 " principles and suggested rules " to the Rt. Rev- 
 
^S Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 erend the diocesan and missionary bishops who 
 are members of this Board, as furnishing a suffi- 
 cient outline for the immediate inauguration of 
 similar organizations in their several jurisdic- 
 tions, to be employed in the more distinctively 
 missionary or*educational work of our Church, 
 as need may arise or occasion require. 
 
 (c.) It only remains to your Committee to 
 recommend, before closing, some more definite 
 forms of organization for that still remaining 
 and not yet utilized capability for missionary 
 usefulness residing in the large class of women 
 who, because of their domestic relations, or for 
 other reasons, cannot ordinarily be included in 
 any scheme for parochial or diocesan Sisterhoods 
 or associations of Deaconesses. 
 
 One such form has already been found and 
 most happily tested in the Ladies' Domestic 
 Relief Association, whose branches exist in 
 parishes scattered all over the land. There are 
 bishops and presbyters from Maine to the Gulf, 
 and from the Alleghanies to the Pacific, who can 
 bear testimony to the wise, and tender, and 
 blessed ministries of this modest auxiliary to the 
 Church's missionary work. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 29 
 
 Above all, there are missionary homes, all 
 over this broad land, to which its loving and 
 discriminating benefactions have gone, that bless 
 God with grateful hearts, and a courage more 
 steadfast than ever, for its practical assurance 
 of the Church's far-reaching and living sympathy. 
 
 The Committee would earnestly recommend 
 that the Domestic and Foreign Committees be 
 authorized, if necessary, to enlarge the powers 
 and the functions of this well-tried and most 
 successful agency for organizing and utilizing 
 the individual efforts of women, by providing 
 that it shall be erected into a Ladies' (or 
 Women's) auxiliary Missionary Society, with 
 branches, as far as possible, in every parish in the 
 land, governed by simple rules, in harmony with 
 the constitution of this Board, and having for its 
 aims 
 
 {a.) The increase of its funds. 
 
 {b.) The circulation of missionary publications. 
 
 (c.) The education of missionaries. 
 
 {d.) The making, collecting and distributing 
 of articles of clothing for missionaries and their 
 families. 
 
 {e.) The education of missionaries' children. 
 
30 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 This Ladies' (or Women's) Auxiliary Society 
 to have at his headquarters a central Committee, 
 and a special department in the " Spirit of 
 Missions," — the society to hold annual meetings, 
 where its branches miay be represented by dele- 
 gates duly chosen ; the central Committee to 
 have power to undertake any special work, such 
 as that, e. g., among the Indians, and to control 
 its own funds, and the Committee also to have 
 the right to nominate directly to the Foreign 
 Committee, and, through the bishops to the 
 Domestic Committee. Your Committee would 
 also recommend that membership in the Ladies* 
 (or Women's) Auxiliary Society shall be recorded 
 in New York, and that certificates of member- 
 ship should be issued on the payment, say, of 
 one dollar. 
 
 If some of these suggestions should seem too* 
 minute, your Committee would venture to re- 
 mind the Board that its resolution asks for 
 definite and specific methods, which the Com- 
 mittee have endeavored, as above, to suggest. 
 
 In conclusion, your Committee desire to record 
 their indebtedness for prompt and full responses 
 to their inquiries for information in regard to 
 
At Home and Abroad. 31 
 
 organizations for women's work in other parts 
 of Christendom, to the Bishops of London, Win- 
 chester, SaHsbury, and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Staley, 
 from Lord Hatherley, the Lord Chancellor of 
 England, Sir Bartle Frere, Miss Longley (daugh- 
 ter of the late Archbishop of Canterbury), the 
 Rev. Berdmore Compton, and the Rev. William 
 Pennyfather of the Church of England. These 
 communications are too voluminous to be in- 
 cluded in this report, but it is intended to place 
 them within the reach of the members of this 
 Board, and of our Church generally, in a 
 publication soon to be issued. Each one of them 
 is rich in practical suggestions, and some of them 
 are especially valuable as bearing upon a point 
 which your Committee have been compelled to 
 leave untouched, viz. : the relations of Sisterhoods 
 or other similar organizations to missionary 
 work in foreign lands. 
 
 In submitting this report to the Board, your 
 Committee feel that it only remains to them to 
 urge upon the members of this Board, and 
 especially upon their reverend brethren of the 
 clergy, the importance of prompt and resolute 
 action. If the Church believes in organized 
 
32 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Sisterhoods or associations of women as wise and 
 efficient instrumentalities for doing the Master's 
 work, in the name of that Master let us not 
 hesitate to use them ! 
 
 The Church has already a Training-House for 
 Women (that in Philadelphia), and organized 
 Sisterhoods in several of her dioceses ; but her 
 members have too long and too widely stood 
 aloof from these institutions, regarding them, 
 often, with only doubtful approbation, and, 
 oftener still, with ill-concealed suspicion. It is 
 time that we were done with such half-hearted 
 recognition. Your Committee earnestly urge 
 the reverend clergy in our large centres of 
 wealth and influence, to call upon women who 
 may be unembarrassed by domestic or other ties 
 to give their means, their hearts, themselves, to 
 the work of the Lord. Jesus. 
 
 Your Committee also respectfully call upon 
 this Board to put its unequivocal stamp of 
 approbation upon wisely-matured and well- 
 ordered organizations of women, as an agency 
 imperatively demanded in the missionary 
 work. 
 
 And with this view, your Committee beg leave 
 
At Home and Abroad. 33 
 
 respectfully to submit for the consideration of 
 this Board the following resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That this Board, recognizing the tested value of 
 organizations of Christian women in prosecuting the work 
 of Christ and His Church, hereby recommends that measures 
 be immediately taken for engrafting such associations as may 
 hereafter be organized under the constitutional provisions 
 of this Board, upon the already existing missionary organiza- 
 tions of this Church, whether by the formation of " Sisterhoods 
 auxiliary," or otherwise, in such manner as may be deemed 
 most practical and expedient. 
 
 Resolved, That the Kt. Keverend, the Missionary Bishops 
 of this Church, together with the Bishops of Louisiana, Minne- 
 sota, Wisconsin, and Kansas, be a Committee to consider and 
 
 report at what measures, if any, are practical and 
 
 expedient, in order to provide for the opening of an institution 
 or institutions in the East, West, North-west, or South-west, 
 for the training of deaconesses for service in the Church's 
 missionary or educational work. 
 
 Resolmd, That the suggestions contained in this report as to 
 the organization of a Woman's Society auxiliary to the Board 
 of Missions, be referred to the reverend secretaries of the 
 various departments of this Board, with power to mature such 
 organization as may seem to them practicable and expedient, 
 and submit it to the consideration of the Church at large 
 through the Spirit of Missions. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 A, N. LlTTLEJOHN, J. W. ClAXTON, 
 
 Henry W. Lee, John F. Spauldtng, 
 
 HliNBY C. POTTEB, GeO. N. TiTUS, 
 
 Wm. Welsh. 
 The report above read was at once accepted, 
 and, after a brief discussion, the resolutions 
 appended to it were separately adopted. 
 
 3 
 
TIL. 
 
 APPENDIX TO REPORT. 
 
 FROM THE BISHOP OF LONDON. 
 
 FuLHAM Palace, S. M., 
 August 28, 1871. 
 
 My Dear Sir : 
 
 Your inquiries respecting Women's work in 
 Missions have reached me, unfortunately when I 
 have no time at my disposal to answer them 
 properly, nor indeed am I competent to give 
 an opinion of any value. 
 
 I hope therefore to enclose, in lieu of my own 
 judgment : 
 
 1. Letters from the Lord Chancellor on Paro- 
 chial Mission Women. 
 
 2. From the Rev. Berdmore Compton, the 
 Secretary of our Deaconesses Institution, and an 
 active member of the Ladies Association of the 
 " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
 Foreign Parts," for promoting female education 
 in India. 
 
 (34:) 
 
At Home and Abroad. 35 
 
 3. From Bishop Staley, lately Bishop of Hono- 
 lulu, the only Church of England Mission, as far 
 as I am aware, in which is a Sisterhood, as 
 part of its missionary staff. 
 
 4. From Miss Longley a daughter of the late 
 Archbishop, who takes a warm and intelligent 
 interest in the employment of Zenana women in 
 India. 
 
 I believe women to be indirectly most valuable 
 agents in evangelizing the sinful and ignorant at 
 home and abroad ; but they are most effective 
 at home, (excepting in the case of school-mis- 
 tresses,) usually in proportion to their tact and 
 delicacy in abstaining from direct preachiitg, as 
 it were, and in winning by kindness and patience 
 a way for the word in season, the apt passage 
 from God's word, and the simple prayer. Pro- 
 bably the same remark will apply to their work 
 as evangelists abroad. 
 
 I do not think that such qualifications can be 
 given or improved by Training Colleges. They 
 are the result of the combination of the love of 
 God in the heart, with that fine tact which is 
 one of God's gifts to women, and which real 
 piety usually quickens and refines. 
 
36 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 I do not hold so strongly as many that the 
 organization of women into Sisterhoods is impor- 
 tant to increase the efficiency of their work. 
 In my experience, I have seen all parochial 
 work done as well by District Visitors, as by 
 Sisters : and indeed some of it, most remarkable 
 work — such as Miss Marsh's among the navvies, 
 and that among the Brickfield laborers by a lady 
 in my diocese, have been done by individuals. 
 For hospital nursing and the like there must be 
 a Sisterhood or Association, because training is 
 necessary for preparing for the work, and system 
 in the discharge of it. 
 
 I think, however, Sisterhoods valuable as in- 
 viting, directing and uniting the cooperation in 
 good works of many who, having no family ties 
 or duties, and no special call to this or that 
 work, might have spent an aimless, useless life for 
 want of impulse or opportunity; and I consider 
 that they should be encouraged on the conditions 
 that they admit none who have home ties and 
 duties, and impose no vow beyond one under- 
 taking that as the sister has not lightly sought 
 admission, so she will not lightly, or without 
 good cause, withdraw. I am not aware of any 
 
At Home and Abroad. 37 
 
 peculiar danger to be apprehended in connection 
 with the employment of women as missionaries, 
 at home or abroad, in the limited manner de- 
 scribed above. 
 
 The evil tendencies of Sisterhoods are those 
 which inhere in the position of women when 
 separated from the duties, affections and anx- 
 ieties of home life, intensified, perhaps, by a 
 longing for something to lean on, — vows and 
 rules, however strict, on which to repose the will, 
 and spiritual direction as a rest for the con- 
 science and its scruples, and a fondness for 
 peculiarities of dress, ritual, &c., which fill the 
 void which seclusion from society, with its 
 fashions and little excitements, has left. 
 
 These tendencies, though gently discouraged, 
 should not be judged too severely. They are 
 occasional drawbacks in devoted exertion for 
 God's sake and man's good ; and at the worst are 
 far better than frivolity and worldly dissipation. 
 
 I am ashamed to answer so feebly your 
 inquiries, but I have been overworked lately and 
 have as little energy as time. 
 
 Believe me to be, my dear sir, faithfully, 
 
 J. London. 
 
38 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 I have received also a valuable memorandum 
 by Miss Frere, which I enclose. It is endorsed 
 by her father, Sir Bartle Frere, our highest 
 authority in Indian Mission work. 
 
 FROM THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER. 
 
 Shanklin, Isle of Wight, ) 
 Aug. 11, 1871. f 
 
 My Dear Brother : 
 
 I read your expressed desire that I should 
 reply to your nephew's letter as a command, and 
 he will consider it no slight if I thus answer it to 
 you. 
 
 Circumstances have brought the detail of the 
 work of Christian women in Sisterhoods more 
 closely under my eye than under that of any 
 of my brethren in the English Episcopate, 
 and I therefore venture to speak to you 
 of his questions as one to whom the. work is 
 familiar. 
 
 I. That women are intended by Christ to work 
 in His Church directly for Him, appears to me 
 perfectly clear, from, 
 
 (^.) The life of our Lord in His own Ministry 
 »-the Pattern of the Church's work, which is 
 
At Home and Abroad. 39 
 
 the carrying out of His personal ministry through 
 
 all time. 
 
 (d.) From the words of the Epistles. St. Paul's 
 
 salutations to those who labored much in the 
 
 Lord seem to me to prove this. 
 
 2. That the letter of Scripture warrants their 
 being gathered into communities for this purpose 
 under fixed rules as to age, admission, call and 
 life, see i Tim. v. 9, etc. '' 
 
 3. It appears to me that the Gospel of our 
 Lord could not, as dealing with Humanity, but 
 make some such provisions for taking up and 
 perfecting the work of those women whom the 
 hand of His Providence marks off from the 
 engrossing cares of the wife and the mother. 
 I Tim. V. 14 ; i Cor. vii. 8, 34, 38. 
 
 4. I conclude, therefore, that no branch of the 
 Church is perfectly fulfilling the apostolic precept 
 and example, which is not making provision for 
 the due employment of women's work. 
 
 5. The idea of the work as a whole is, that 
 women whom God's providence calls to such a 
 life of separation from the ordinary life of the wife 
 and the mother, should especially cherish in them- 
 selves the life of Christ, and reveal Him to others. 
 
40 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 6. In answer, then, to the first question, I say 
 that all the works to which such women are de- 
 voted, are the works of evangelists ; i.e., whether 
 the work be teaching children, it is not solely or 
 principally the ordinary work of instruction, but 
 the revealing Christ to the child ; or laboring 
 amongst the poor, it is not chiefly for their 
 relief; or amongst the sick, it, is not chiefly as 
 hospital sisters for the relief of the body ; or with 
 the fallen, as the attendants at lock hospitals, 
 merely to heal the body, and mend the morals ; 
 but in each case to reveal Christ to the poor, the 
 sick, and the fallen. 
 
 7. This leads necessarily to the second ques- 
 tion — none can really devote themselves, e.g., to 
 teaching heathen children, as missionaries, like 
 such women ; and this is one great point of 
 missionary life. The parents are reached through 
 the children as they are in no other way. Thus 
 at this moment the schools conducted in the 
 Hawiian Mission are appreciated more than all 
 the rest of our work. But then there is the life 
 of the Sisterhood to sustain and exalt the 
 school-teaching. Their services, their separation 
 to God, tell directly upon their work ; they are 
 
At Home and Abroad. 41 
 
 felt to be not merely eminently successful school- 
 teachers, but women engaged in mission-work 
 for Christ, and using their teaching powers to 
 carry on their mission. 
 
 So it is in our missions from Clewer ; whether 
 at St. Stephens, Windsor, under the Bishop of 
 Oxford, or under the Bishop of London in the 
 metropolis, the Sister is the Sister of Charity, but 
 she is far more ; she is the Sister of Charity 
 because to live to her is Christ, and she can thus 
 tend Christ in His poor. 
 
 8. And so we pass on to your other questions. 
 For the Sisterhood life is the secret of this 
 strength. That is the centre of the power which 
 supports the spiritual life. 
 
 One woman, however energetic, would soon 
 be powerless. The constitution of their nature, 
 which grace has elevated, not obliterated, makes 
 them need sympathy, and that sympathy they 
 find in praying, watching, working, consulting, 
 above all communicating together. Moreover, 
 whilst thus they have more strength, there is 
 more evenness and uniformity in their work. 
 The eccentricities of individual life are corrected 
 by the unity of the common life, the individual 
 
42 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 life still remaining to color separate action and 
 enable one to do well what could not be as well 
 done by another. The safeguards you ask 
 about seem to me to be these : 
 
 1. The allying the whole Sisterhood strictly 
 to the Church, {a) Her services ; {b) Her obe- 
 dience ; {c) and to Her tone. I have ever found 
 the true obedience of the Sisterhood rise with its 
 saintliness. I believe that the Bishop as a living 
 centre must be felt by the Sisterhood to be 
 God's Bishop set over them and amongst them, 
 and that they zvill yield to him all lawful obedi- 
 ence. 
 
 2. I believe that no vows of perpetual obliga- 
 tion ought to be allowed, because, {a) I do not 
 think it lawful for us to allow such vows, except 
 where Christ Himself has instituted them, as 
 {e. g.) for marriage and ordination. (^) I think 
 the perniission of such vows involves of necessity 
 the monstrous falsehood of a pope with dispen- 
 sing powers where they cannot be maintained {c) 
 I think that the service, continued not from the 
 fresh spring of a perpetual impulse renewed from 
 ever new love to Christ, but because it was 
 once what the heart offered, cannot have God's 
 
At Home and Abroad. 43 
 
 blessing ; therefore I would on uo pretext allow 
 vows of perpetual obligation. But there must 
 be a solemn promise of observance of rules so 
 long as the place of a Sister is retained. 
 
 The Mission Sisters being allied to a House as 
 a centre, even when they are at a distance from 
 it, is a great guard against eccentricity, self- 
 forgetfulness, disobedience, or the fainting of the 
 spirit. 
 
 4. Safeguard. Never send out a single sister. 
 Three is the least number I would plant out. 
 Five is better than three. 
 
 5. Safeguard. The alliance of daughter-houses 
 with the original house as retaining the one 
 fixed measure for all, is, in my judgment, a great 
 safeguard. 
 
 6. The careful training of Sisters through a 
 period of trial, as well as discipline, at the 
 central house, is one of the chiefest of all safe- 
 guards. 
 
 And now, my dear brother, I commend this 
 great subject to your fatherly wisdom and that 
 of your whole Convention, praying you to over- 
 look the errors you may detect in this letter, and 
 
44 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 to give me the help of your prayers and inter- 
 cessions. 
 
 I am ever, my dear Brother, 
 Yours faithfully in Christ Jesus, 
 
 S. WiNTON. 
 To the Right Rev. the Bishop (Potter) oJ 
 New York. 
 
 FROM LADY HATHERLEY. 
 
 31 Great Geoege-steeet, S. M., ) 
 Aug 1, 1871. S 
 
 Dear Lord Bishop : 
 
 I must apologize for the delay in my reply 
 to your note, but I hope it is of no impor- 
 tance. Our parochial mission women are not 
 ''missionaries," in the sense of "evangelists," 
 — but as we are very anxious to employ 
 women of religious mind and life, and try to 
 impress on them that the great object of all the 
 civilizing influence of their work is to raise the 
 poor to better things than habits of decency, 
 cleanliness, and providence, they must do this by 
 indirect religious teaching. 
 
 They are pioneers to the clergy. It is their 
 province to find out un-baptlzed children, but 
 
At Home and Abroad. 45 
 
 they report them to the clergyman, that he may 
 instruct the parents as to their duty : and it is 
 the same in any cases of sin which they may 
 come across. 
 
 They follow his directions as to their reading 
 and praying by the sick and afflicted. 
 
 I think their general work is perfectly well 
 described in a letter Lord Hatherley addressed 
 to the Times, some while back, (a copy of which 
 I venture to enclose,) and the value of the agency 
 is tested by the numerous applications we receive 
 from incumbents, for its establishment. We are 
 only limited by our poverty ! I also forwarded 
 a summary of their work, which I shall be glad if 
 your Lordship will glance at yourself 
 Believe me, 
 
 Yours respectfully and faithfully, 
 
 C. Hatherley. 
 
 To the Editor of the " Times." 
 
 Sir : I was struck, some time back, by an 
 article in the *' Times " upon the subject of 
 Almsgiving. The article was occasioned by a 
 letter of Miss Stanley, which brought before the 
 public one of her many works of charity, and 
 
46 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 asked for assistance in laying up a stock of coals, 
 at moderate prices, to be retailed to the poor in 
 the season when both the necessity for the 
 supply and the price would be increased. Your 
 commentary suggested that it might be better to 
 instruct the poor in exercising provident fore- 
 thought for themselves. Now, I can so confi- 
 dently speak of the organization of the above- 
 named association, as promoting very efficiently 
 the prudential education of the poor, that I ven- 
 ture, on an experience of its working for nine 
 years, to ask your powerful aid in making it more 
 generally known. 
 
 There is no lack of Christian sympathy in our 
 people. The drowning or explosion of a mine, a 
 dearth of food or a cotton supply, is sufficient at 
 once to open their hearts and their coffers. In- 
 deed this sympathy requires direction and regu- 
 lation far more than any stimulus. Indiscrimi- 
 nate almsgiving might be easily shown to have 
 occasioned more mischief than lavish expendi- 
 ture ; for the first shilling given to a man who 
 prefers begging for it, to earning it, is the first 
 step towards his ruin ; while expenditure, 
 however foolish on the part of the spender, 
 
At Home and Abroad. 47 
 
 commonly becomes a source of support to the 
 honest and industrious workman. 
 
 Now the whole scheme of the Parochical Mis- 
 sion Women's Association is directed towards 
 elevating- the lowest poor by their own energy, 
 or, still better, saving the all but lowest from 
 sinking yet lower. They are taught how they 
 may make the most of all their means, however 
 slender they may be. Cleanliness in house and 
 person, temperance, intelligent nursing in sick- 
 ness, provident expenditure, are within the reach 
 of all : provident saving, within that of many 
 who have but the scantiest resources, or none 
 beyond their labor. Doubtless, model lodging- 
 houses, penny-banks, provident clubs, are excel- 
 lent institutions in themselves, but they are only 
 facilities. The desire to use them must be 
 generated by living agency. This agency is 
 supplied by the Society whose claims I advocate. 
 
 Its plan is very simple. A small number of 
 ladies act as managers. They have the benefit 
 of advice, in matters of finance, or in any diffi- 
 culty, of gentlemen forming a Committee of 
 Reference. A clergyman desirous of availing 
 himself of the agency, applies to the Lady 
 
48 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Managers, and (if the funds permit) his request is 
 at once considered. He himself selects a 
 Mission Woman, and a Lady Superintendent 
 from a higher class, for his Parish, who must be 
 approved by the Managers, and the organization 
 is then complete. A room must be provided for 
 the purposes after mentioned. 
 
 The mission woman is selected from the class 
 among whom she is to work. Her payment is 
 regulated, as far as possible, by her previous 
 weekly earnings, and does not much exceed them. 
 Her duty is to visit, under the clergyman's 
 directions, all who will welcome her, and these 
 soon become the large majority. She gives no 
 alrris, but offers instruction and affords facilities 
 by which they may help themselves. She enjoins, 
 and, if needs be, will show them how to scrub 
 and clean their rooms, and what to do in case of 
 sickness, and induces them to deposit with her 
 any money they may be able to lay by for the 
 purchase of necessaries or comforts. She informs 
 them of, and invites them to attend weekly 
 meetings held by the lady superintendent, 
 which lady, having received a loan in advance 
 from the general fund, has a supply of blankets. 
 
At HoxMe and Abroad. 49 
 
 bedding, &c. , with Bibles and Prayer Books, 
 which she keeps at the mission-room, and there 
 such women as may be able, meet her and the 
 mission woman for a couple of hours. Materials 
 are then examined and selected, and may be 
 worked upon (many have at these meetings first 
 learned to use a needle and thread), while the 
 superintendent reads aloud for a part of the.time, 
 and the clergyman usually opens or closes the 
 meeting with Scripture reading and prayer. No 
 article, made or unmade, is allowed to be taken 
 from the room until the whole of the cost price 
 has been paid. 
 
 Now the advantages of this scheme are — 
 I. The Parish is a definite area to be worked, 
 and, instead of broad-cast, hap-hazard schemes of 
 benevolence, an aim is given, and the effect of 
 the work can be, and is, watched. Returns are 
 required weekly by the managers from the lady 
 superintendents of the number of visits made by 
 the mission woman, the amount of money 
 received, and other work done. Each manager 
 receives these returns from specified districts, and 
 visits the meetings without giving any previous 
 notice. If the mission be not satisfactorily 
 
 4 
 
50 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 worked, it is either abandoned or suspended. A 
 mission may be closed for any cause by the 
 managers, on the one hand, or the clergyman on 
 the other, at a month's notice. 
 
 2. The mission woman and lady superinten- 
 dent have their definite civilizing lay-work, and 
 the clergyman is assisted by their co-operation, 
 not thwarted by controversial zeal. 
 
 3. The mission women are of the same class as 
 those they instruct. A clergyman or lady su- 
 perintendent might make many visits without 
 producing the effect desired. They and the 
 poor do not often understand each other, when 
 it comes to be a question of interference with 
 domestic habits and arrangements. 
 
 4. The test of this effective teaching is fur- 
 nished by the returns. In the year 1867, over 
 ;^7,ooo (a portion of it in farthings) was collect- 
 ed from the poor of 130 mission districts. The 
 society commenced its work with six missions, 
 and the deposits in the first year amounted to 
 ;^85. A steady increase to the numbers of 1867 
 is a very note-worthy fact. 
 
 The testimony to the value of the institution 
 is uniform from the clergy who have experienced 
 
At Home and Abroad. 51 
 
 its effects. The Archbishop of Canterbury, while 
 Bishop of London, gave it his warmest sanction, 
 and, from the fund which bears his name, annual 
 grants are made towards its support. No dis- 
 tinction is made with reference to any supposed 
 theological views of incumbents who wish for 
 the assistance of a mission woman. The average 
 cost of each mission is ;^35 a year. The clergy- 
 man is expected to guarantee a certain portion 
 of this sum, according to the circumstances of 
 the case. The only items of expenditure are the 
 woman's salary, and occasionally the rent of a 
 central room, the advance loans being repaid as 
 the capital of each district increases. The total 
 cost of management in 1867, was only ;^i8o. 
 This cost is mainly incurred by the employment 
 of one clerk, and the hire of an office at 1 5, Cock- 
 spur-street. Scarcely a charity can be named 
 where so much is achieved by so small an ex- 
 penditure. 
 
 Those who know with what despair many a 
 clergyman or district visitor enters a sick room, 
 the window of which is closed, the floor of which 
 is foul with dirt, while the patient possesses 
 neither bed, bedstead, chair, nor table, perhaps 
 
52 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 no blanket or coverlid, can alone appreciate the 
 transformation that can be effected by a woman 
 in the same class of life as the sufferer, who 
 teaches cleanliness, order, industry and foresight, 
 through the medium of Christian kindness and 
 Christian example. 
 
 The Reverend T. J. Rowsell, the well-known 
 incumbent of Saint Margaret's, Lothbury, thus 
 speaks of what he himself witnessed of the work- 
 ing of the agency in question. 
 
 " For twenty-five years I have been actively 
 engaged in duties in the East of London ; I have 
 learnt to feel the want of this agency, and I 
 have now witnessed its usefulness. It is won- 
 derfully adapted to meet the most urgent wants 
 
 of the poor There is no room in the 
 
 lowest part of the poorest house into which the 
 mission women do not readily find their way. 
 Every clergyman I talked with, of whatsoever 
 shade of theological opinion he might be, was 
 emphatic about the good done by them." 
 
 There are at this time urgent applications 
 pending from parishes in the poorest parts o\ 
 London and Southwark, none of which can be 
 accepted unless further aid be given to the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 53 
 
 general fund. Subscriptions may be paid to 
 account of '' Parochial Mission Woman Associa- 
 tion," at the London and Westminster Bank, St. 
 James's Square ; to the Treasurer, the Hon. W. 
 C. Spring Rice : and at the office, 15, Cock- 
 spur-street. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Hatherley. 
 
 31, Geeat George Street, 
 January 27, 1869. 
 
 PAROCHIAL MISSION WOMEN FUND. 
 
 UNDER THE SANCTION OF THE ABCHBISHOP OP CANTEKBUKT, 
 THE BISHOP OF LONDON, THE BISHOP OP ROCHESTEB, 
 THE BISHOP OF 'WINOHESTER, THE BISHOP OF EXETER. 
 
 The Parochial Mission Women work among 
 the lowest classes of the population in London 
 and other towns, amongst those social outcasts 
 whom the hearts of many are yearning to benefit 
 and who often prove so very difficult to reach. 
 They are themselves poor women, receiving from 
 this association only an equivalent for what they 
 might have earned by the labor of their own 
 hands, in order to set them free to give their time 
 and strength to the service of their neighbors. 
 
54 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Their office is not to distribute alms, nor to act 
 as superiors and teachers, but to win their way 
 to the hearts of those among whom they go, by 
 kindly offices of every kind in sickness, in distress, 
 in degradation, and to lead them upwards insen- 
 sibly by the influence of a friend, of one who 
 sympathizes with them because she has herself 
 experienced difficulties and trials similar to theirs. 
 
 The parochial mission women are not sent 
 into any parish or district, except on the written 
 application of the incumbent of such parish or 
 district ; he himself selects the woman he wishes 
 to employ, and she is entirely under his control. 
 In every case a lady- superintendent, also 
 selected by the incumbent, guides and supports 
 the mission woman, presides over the women's 
 meetings, undertakes the charge of the savings 
 collected by the mission women in small deposits 
 from the poor, and provides the articles, cloth- 
 ing, &c., which these savings are intended to 
 purchase. 
 
 In 1870 the sums saved by the poor in the 
 small instalments collected by the mission 
 women amounted to ^^"8,927. lis. lojd. 
 
 In eleven years (from the beginning of the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 
 
 55 
 
 work of this association in March, i860, to the 
 end of 1870) the sum total of the savings thus 
 collected is £c^4,ig6. 6s. 2jd. 
 
 165 of these women are now supported by the 
 fund. 
 
 The letters written to the Times by Lord 
 Hatherley, in January, 1869, and January, 1870, 
 brought some considerable increase of con- 
 tributions to the fund. Encouraged by this the 
 managers ventured to grant several of the most 
 urgent among the applications which they had 
 received, but they regret to say that in the pre- 
 sent winter contributions have come in so slowly, 
 and their funds are in consequence so low, that 
 unless considerable additional support can be 
 speedily obtained, they will be reduced to the 
 painful necessity of v/ithdrawing the mission 
 women from several districts. ■• 
 
 They very earnestly entreat for help to avert 
 a step which will cause much distress. 
 
 The managers rejoice to have been able to ren- 
 der the mission women of great use in the 
 present prevalence of epidemic disease, by fur- 
 nishing them, for distribution among the poor, 
 with some very simple circulars on the subject of 
 
56 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 vaccination and of the prevention of infection, 
 drawn up with a special regard to what is prac- 
 ticable in the crowded rooms of the poor, and at 
 the same time by providing", by a special arrange- 
 ment, through the lady superintendent, an 
 abundant supply of disinfectants, and especially 
 disinfecting soap, at so low a wholesale price 
 that the poor are learning gladly to take the 
 opportunity of buying it themselves. 
 
 Further particulars in regard to the whole 
 work may be found in the reports of the 
 association. 
 
 The town clergy, both parochial and mission- 
 ary, speak in the strongest terms of the value 
 which experience leads them to attach to the 
 work of this agency. Their applications to the 
 fund are urgent, and rapidly increasing in 
 number 
 
At Home and Abroad. 57 
 
 FROM THE REV. BERDMORE COMPTON, 
 Secretary of Deaconesses Institution. 
 
 The Rectobt, Aug. 12, 1871. 
 No. 7 Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, M. C. 
 
 My Dear Lord Bishop : 
 
 The first question asked by the Board of 
 Missions of the American Church is, " How far 
 may women be employed as evangelists V 
 
 In answer to this I would assume, that the 
 word evangelists does not comprehend the office 
 of instruction in schools. Obviously women are 
 peculiarly fitted for the instructing of their own 
 sex and the younger boys in religious knowledge 
 in schools. But confining the word evange- 
 list to less systematic instruction, I would 
 suggest that in a certain province of the work of 
 evangelization, lying between formal preaching 
 and formal catechetical instruction, women are 
 peculiarly useful. 
 
 Especially from their superior opportunities 
 of intercourse with their own sex, and from the 
 attractiveness of their unpretending convictions, 
 they can indirectly, and collaterally to the work 
 of nursing, etc., do much of the work of prepar- 
 
58 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ing both men and women to listen to more 
 elaborate teaching, and more direct clerical 
 influence. 
 
 I believe that many a man is won by the 
 gentleness and practical unquestioning faith of 
 our Deaconesses and Sisters, who would simply 
 turn a deaf ear to a clergyman ; and many a 
 woman, callous to ordinary influences, may be 
 gradually restored to feminine softness and 
 humility by frequent intercourse with them. 
 
 The second question regards the adaptation 
 of women to such work in foreign lands. 
 
 On this point I can speak only from my own 
 knowledge with reference to India. 
 
 The Ladies Association for the Promotion of 
 Female Education among the Heathen, (in con- 
 nection with the missions of the S. P. G.) has 
 for some years sent out Zenana teachers to 
 India and employed others on the spot. 
 
 The idea has been to begin with girls' schools, 
 and to keep up the acquaintance with the 
 scholars after their marriage, by visiting them in 
 their zenanas, and teaching them there as 
 private friends. 
 
 Admission for Christian influence is thus ob- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 59 
 
 tained into the very households of the heathen, 
 which are otherwise firmly closed against it. 
 The teachers of the association are for the most 
 part freely admitted by both Hindoos and 
 Mahometans, who would not of course permit 
 the missionary visits of a man. 
 
 I am disposed to think that in this view, the 
 employment of women as evangeHsts in India is 
 absolutely indispensable, and has hitherto been 
 promising. 
 
 The third question, viz., that relating to the 
 dangers of the employment of women in this 
 manner, is more difficult. I imagine that there is 
 no danger to those who are the objects of their 
 ministrations. The only dangers to be appre- 
 hended, are to the women evangelists themselves. 
 It might be apprehended that they would 
 become self-sufficient, or ascetic. But I cannot 
 say that in my experience either with the 
 Deaconess Institution of your Lordship's diocese, 
 or with the Ladies Association above alluded to 
 (with the details of which I have been familiar 
 for some years), I have seen these apprehensions 
 realized. Our difficulty is to get the women at 
 all. 
 
6o Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 I have not found practical difficulty in check- 
 ing self-sufficiency, and have very rarely found it 
 occur. As a general rule the Deaconesses are 
 quite prepared to act in subordination to the 
 clergy. 
 
 Neither have I found any dangerous tendency 
 to asceticism. On the contrary the practical 
 difficulty of the Ladies Association is the fre- 
 quent marriage of their employees, and the 
 consequent loss of their services. 
 
 I remain, my Lord Bishop, 
 
 Yours very faithfully, 
 
 B. COMPTON 
 The Lord Bishop of London. 
 
 FROM THE LATE BISHOP OF HONO- 
 LULU. 
 
 Caen, Normandy, ) 
 Aug. 23, 1871. ) 
 
 My dear Bishop : 
 
 In forwarding for transmission to the United 
 States the inclosed answers to the questions you 
 received thence, on the subject of Sisterhoods, I 
 will just say a few words on the particular one 
 with which I have had to do. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 6i 
 
 An educational staff, for Hawaiian female 
 schools, of three Sisters, was introduced into the 
 islands by me, after appealing in vain to those 
 of Clewer and East Grinstead, in 1864, which was 
 in 1867 increased to five Sisters. These form 
 two establishments, one at Lahaina, the other at 
 Honolulu. Their educational and charitable 
 labors have been a marked success. Govern- 
 ment aid is granted to their schools. 
 
 They are members of Miss Sellon's society, to 
 whose generous co-operation I have borne ample 
 testimony. They are under vows of obedience 
 to that lady. She is their '' Mother Superior," 
 in the usual Roman sense of that phrase. So 
 long as they choose to remain in the society, 
 they are under her absolute control, even to the 
 perusal of every letter they may write, and to 
 their being sent abroad {e. g.) td Hawaii, un- 
 known to their parents. Nominally they are 
 subject to the Bishop. At the close of my 
 connection with their work, after strong pre- 
 dilections for Sisterhoods in general, after the 
 most liberal toleration of Miss Sellon's rule, and 
 an admiration expressed publicly for her zeal 
 and devotion, I am constrained to say that 
 
62 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 facts * have led me to the conviction that the 
 authority of the Bishop, even outside the society's 
 ruky is merely nominal ; and that the principles 
 on which that rule is based, are radically un- 
 sound, and mischievous in their result on human 
 character, 
 
 I am, my dear Bishop, 
 Yours faithfully 
 M. Staley, 
 Late Bishop of Honolulu. 
 P. S. It might be well to send this note, if your 
 Lordship thought fit, with the answers. It ex- 
 plains the grounds of much which I say. 
 
 To the Right Hon. and Right Rev, the Lord 
 Bishop of London. 
 
 Answers by Bishop Staley to the questions on 
 Sisterhoods. 
 
 I. Hoiv far may women be employed as 
 evangelists ? 
 
 A. In charitable works, such as visiting the 
 sick and poor, and educating the young, more 
 especially the female part of a heathen or semi- 
 
 * The facts referred to, I only purpose to bring forward if 
 necessary. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 63 
 
 Christian population. They alone can raise the 
 character of their own sex, often so fearfully 
 degraded. 
 
 2. If at all, are they adapted in your judgment 
 to SMch work in foreign lands ? 
 
 A. From experience, I may say it is possible 
 to find persons fitted for the work. . But great 
 devotion, steadiness of purpose, temper, tact, 
 an exemption from domestic and natural claims 
 (which ought always to be paramount), are 
 essential, and above all, an unaffected piety that 
 thinks little of externals, and is most set on 
 imitating our Blessed Lord's example. 
 
 3. Is there a sphere in the Church for training 
 houses or colleges for women, intending to under- 
 take mission work f 
 
 A. Most undeniably there is. Such institu- 
 tions are a great need. 
 
 4. How far is organization into Sisterhoods^ 
 or other similar associations, desirable, in order to 
 the increased efficiency of women's missionary 
 efforts ? 
 
 A. Unsystematic, isolated efforts can never 
 succeed like organization. Short of the higher 
 motives, nothing aids in a cause like esprit de 
 
64 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 corps. My own experience was this. Schools 
 carried on by earnest women not under organ- 
 ization, up to 1864, had failed from want of 
 stability. Their conductors could be depended 
 on only for a year or two, and the natives ceased 
 to believe in our permanence. They did not 
 care to send their children, as they would soon 
 change their instructors again. 
 
 Under organized direction, since the Sisters 
 arrived (none of whom have left in seven years), 
 the schools have been a great success. 
 
 5. Will yoii suggest any particular plan for 
 utilizing the peculiar aptitudes of women for 
 mission work^ if in your judgment such aptitudes 
 exists and if such a plan has occurred to you ; and 
 will you add any general conclusions which you 
 have reached on the whole subjecl ? 
 
 A. Women under preparation for mission 
 work, at home or abroad, should be formed into 
 an Order with a name suitable to their vocation, 
 under certain rules for the due discharge of their 
 office, as well as for the guidance of their inner 
 life. After entering on their work they should 
 continue in that Order under those rules. I 
 deprecate vows, whether for a term, or for life. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 65 
 
 But there should be an understanding that al- 
 lowing for reasonable contingencies, the candi- 
 date is entering on the work as the business of 
 her life. In selecting candidates it should be 
 taken into consideration whether any one has a 
 clear call to stay at home, from family or other 
 reasons. 
 
 Our Blessed Lord, who on the cross com- 
 mended His mother to the beloved disciple, 
 does not sanction a daughter's breaking an 
 aged mother's heart, even to do what she be- 
 lieves to be His work, when her presence at 
 home is a comfort, or at least a necessity to that 
 parent. 
 
 A board of examiners should be appointed by 
 the Bishops, to ascertain the fitness of candidates 
 as to age, circumstances, qualifications, according 
 to the special work for which they are intended, 
 whether it may be the lower or higher branches 
 of education, or the work of Sceurs de Charite. 
 Such persons should have no pecuniary interest 
 in the success of the institutions which they may 
 establish in their missionary field. '' Having 
 food and raiment they should be therewith con- 
 tent," and even feel it to be a privilege to 
 
 5 
 
66 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 contribute of their own substance. Any profit? 
 should go to the maintenance of the mission 
 cause. A simple, but not eccentric dress, should 
 be adopted by the order. 
 
 ■ The Order and the institution, where candi- 
 dates are prepared, should be under the presi- 
 dency of some wise, moderate, experienced lady, 
 one who will rule well as the head of a household, 
 not as " lording it over God's heritage." The 
 rules as to exercises, devotional or disciplinary, 
 should not be oppressive, but consistent with the 
 forms and spirit of our Reformed Church. The 
 same remarks apply to any branch of the Order 
 sent out. Each should be under a SiLperintendijig 
 Sister^ who will carry out the ideas learned at 
 home, who will set an example of quiet subjec- 
 tion to authority herself, and who will not avail 
 herself of the larger liberty she may enjoy, to 
 enter into the gossip of the place. 
 
 This reminds me that it is a sine qua non that 
 the Order at home or abroad be subject to the 
 Bishops, not as a despot, but as administering 
 the rule and regulating the works undertaken. 
 It is this alone, history shows, which can prevent 
 abuses in societies having in them anything of a 
 
At Home and Abroad. ej 
 
 conventual character. Each institution may, or 
 may not have a chaplain. But if they have, he 
 will himself act under the Bishop as if he were 
 over a parish. I may add that practices as 
 regards dress, insignia, phraseology, behavior in 
 worship, alien to the Anglican Church, should be 
 discountenanced. 
 
 6. What are the dangers to be apprehended? 
 
 A. This I have reserved for consideration last, 
 because from the cautions laid down already, 
 they may be gathered by implication. I will 
 only add we must seek to benefit by the lessons 
 gathered from the history of all such Societies. 
 
 ANSWERS FROM MISS LONGLEY* 
 
 Q. I. How far may women be employed as evan- 
 gelists ? 
 
 A. As teachers in day-schools; mistresses of 
 
 boarding-schools for high-caste girls, and as 
 
 teachers in Zenanas. In all cases under the 
 
 direction and control of the president missionary. 
 
 * Daughter of the late Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
68 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Q, 2. If at ally are they adapted, in your judg- 
 ment ^ to such work mforeigji lands f 
 
 A. Particularly so in India, amongst Hindoo 
 females of the upper class, who can only be 
 reached by home teaching in the Zenanas. 
 Efforts already made have proved that the 
 agency of female teachers is most effectual in 
 thus commending the practice of Christianity, 
 and such teachers are earnestly desired, and 
 warmly greeted in many Zenanas. 
 
 Q. 3. Is there a sphere in the Church for train- 
 ing-houses or colleges for women intending to 
 undertake missiojt work ? 
 
 A. If the resident missionary be a married 
 man, the female teacher should live in the 
 mission-house, and work, if possible, with the 
 missionary's wife. 
 
 If this plan is not practicable, and the mis- 
 sionary is not married, a mission-house for 
 female teachers should be established, where two 
 or more may live together ; one acting as the 
 head, and directing those associated with her. 
 The work in either case to be done under the 
 guidance of the missionary. There is an advan- 
 tage in the latter plan, that a permanent estab- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 69 
 
 lishment is founded for mission work, and the 
 system suffers little when one of the body is 
 removed from any cause, her place being refilled. 
 
 The plan adopted in England by the Society 
 for the Propagation of the Gospel for carrying 
 out such work abroad, is the best that suggests 
 itself to me, and may be seen by reference to 
 the paper annexed. The members of the associ- 
 ation, of every rank of life, are expected to 
 make a personal effort to promote Christian 
 education amongst the female heathen, either 
 by subscribing according to their ability to send 
 out workers, or by offering themselves as candi- 
 dates. 
 
 The formation of corresponding committees 
 abroad, has been found of the most practical 
 utility. 
 
70 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ladies' association for the promotion of 
 
 female education in india and 
 
 other heathen countries, 
 
 In connection with the Missions of The Society for the Propaqation 
 of the Gospel. 
 
 The Ladles' Association has been formed in 
 connection with the Society for the Propagation 
 of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Its object is to 
 promote female education among the heathen. 
 No heathen country to which the missions of 
 that society extend will be excluded from its 
 operations. 
 
 As a testimony to the greatness of the want 
 which the association will endeavor in some 
 degree to supply, the following facts concerning 
 one country are submitted for consideration. 
 The whole number of native girls in India, who 
 are of a suitable age to be placed under instruc- 
 tion, is stated at 16,000,000 ; the number at 
 school in 1861, was reckoned at 13,000 Christian 
 girls, and 8,000 heathen. In the presidency of 
 Madras, with a population of 26,000,000, the 
 day-schools in connection with the Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel include only 1,215 
 
At Home and Abroad. 71 
 
 native girls, and the boarding-schools only 265. 
 Yet these boarding-schools, in which suitable 
 wives for native Christians are trained up, are 
 described by eye-witnesses as " one of the most 
 satisfactory branches of missionary education :" 
 and a girl may be boarded, clothed, and taught, 
 for about 3/. los. or 4/. per annum. For Hindoo 
 females in the wpper classes who cannot be 
 induced to attend public schools, a quiet system 
 of home education, called Zenana-missions, has 
 been recently tried with the most encouraging 
 results. 
 
 The association proposes not to relieve any 
 existing society of work which is now being 
 carried on ; but t'o extend the inadequate means 
 of education, by sending out and supporting 
 additional female teachers for native women and 
 girls in different social ranks, by aiding in the 
 support of boarders in native schools, and by 
 helping in other ways the cause of female 
 education. Experience proves that the agency 
 of iemale teachers is most acceptable and most 
 effectual in commending to their own sex the 
 usages of a higher civiHzation and the practice 
 of Christianity. 
 
72 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 In every parish of our own country, and 
 especially in those parishes in which there is a 
 branch of the Society for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel, it is desired to establish a Branch 
 Association, the members of which, in every 
 rank of life, shall make a personal effort to 
 promote the Christian education of their heathen 
 sisters, by subscriptions according to their ability ; 
 by collections from friends ; by meeting together 
 periodically in working-parties ; by acquiring 
 and imparting information derived from such 
 publicatians as the Mission Fields Gospel Mis- 
 sionary, Net, etc. ; and by frequent prayer. An 
 annual subscription of 25-. 6d. or more constitutes 
 a member of the association ; and it is hoped 
 that in every parish, some one person at least 
 may be found willing and able, acting as local 
 secretary, to influence Christian neighbors to 
 enrol themselves members, and to join together 
 in this good work. In any parish where a 
 Branch Association is formed, persons willing to 
 become members may send their names and 
 subscriptions to the clergyman of the parish, or 
 to the secretary of the Branch Association, who 
 is requested to transmit the collection and list 
 
At Home and Abroad. 73 
 
 of names to the office of the society. Or any 
 person willing to become a member may write 
 direct to the Hon. Secretary, 5 Park Place, 
 St. James's-street, London, S. W. 
 
 Local secretaries and members who wish to 
 form a working-party, or to receive papers to 
 assist them in collecting subscriptions, or to 
 procure publications connected with the objects 
 of this association, or to be supplied v/ith in- 
 structions as to the kinds of work, articles of 
 dress, etc., which are most in request abroad, or 
 to be informed respecting schools in heathen 
 countries at which a native child may be sup- 
 ported, are invited to write on these subjects to 
 the Hon. Secretaries. 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 1. That a Ladies' Association be formed for 
 Promoting the Education of Females in India 
 and other heathen countries, in connection with 
 the missions of the Society for the Propagation 
 of the Gospel. 
 
 2. That its objects be : (i) to provide female 
 teachers for the instruction of native females in 
 such countries, by supporting abroad, and select- 
 
74 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ing and preparing In this country, persons well 
 qualified for the work ; (2) to assist female 
 schools by providing suitable clothing and school 
 materials, and a maintenance for boarders ; (3) to 
 employ other methods which may be suggested 
 of promoting female education ; (4) to assist 
 generally in keeping up an interest in the work 
 of the society. 
 
 3. That funds be raised not only by means of 
 ladies' work, for the sale of which abroad arrange- 
 ments will be made by this association, but also 
 by establishing auxiliary associations through- 
 out the country for collecting subscriptions, etc. ; 
 care being taken in every instance that no 
 association shall divert or Interfere with sub- 
 scriptions to the Society for the Propagation of 
 the Gospel. 
 
 4. That, with a view to encourage the acces- 
 sion to this association of members who already 
 contribute to the Society, an annual subscription 
 of 25. 6d. shall be held sufficient to constitute a 
 member, though larger subscriptions will be 
 thankfully received. 
 
 5. That, inasmuch as it ought to be specially 
 remembered that a work of this kind cannot 
 
At Home and Abroad. 75 
 
 prosper without an abundant blessing from 
 Almighty GOD, the members of this association 
 be requested to make its success a subject of 
 frequent prayer ; and that a short selection of 
 suitable prayers be drawn up for the use of 
 members at their discretion. 
 
 BYE-LAWS. 
 
 1. The business of the association shall be 
 carried on by a Committee, consisting of the 
 President and Vice-Presidents of the association, 
 twenty other ladies elected from the members, 
 two Secretaries, and two members of the Stand- 
 ing Committee of the Society for the Propaga- 
 tion of the Gospel, with the Secretary of the 
 Society. 
 
 2. The ordinary meetings of the Committee 
 shall take place on the second Wednesday in 
 each month at 11 A.M., except the months of 
 August and September, Three ladies are re- 
 quisite to constitute a meeting. 
 
 3. The President and Vice-Presidents shall be 
 elected at a monthly meeting, and shall remain 
 in office so long as they continue to be members 
 of the association. 
 
76 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 4. Of the twenty elected members of the 
 Committee, the two who have attended its 
 meetings in the past year least often shall retire, 
 and two new members shall be elected in their 
 place at the monthly meeting in May. If under 
 this rule any doubt should arise as to the retir- 
 ing members, it shall be determined by lot. 
 At that meeting it shall be the privilege of any 
 member of the association to attend and to vote 
 on the election. Any vacancy in the Committee 
 occurring at other times may be filled up at any 
 monthly meeting of the Committee. 
 
 5. At the monthly meeting in May, the Com- 
 mittee shall appoint sub-Committees on Organi- 
 zation, Finance, Candidates, and Work and 
 Clothing, who may associate other members with 
 themselves. Other sub-Committees for special 
 objects may be appointed at any time by the 
 Committee. 
 
 6. Annual subscribers of 2s. 6d» or more, are 
 members of the association. 
 
 7. Annual subscriptions are due on January 
 1st. All names, subscriptions, collections, etc. 
 intended for insertion in the Annual Report, must 
 be sent in before December ist. 
 
At Home and Abroad. tj 
 
 8. All orders for payment shall be signed by a 
 Secretary and a member of the Committee, under 
 the authority of a resolution of the Committee. 
 
 9. The Secretaries shall convene meetings of 
 the Committee ; keep minutes of their proceed- 
 ings ; conduct the correspondence of the Com- 
 mittee ; prepare the Annual Report and other 
 publications, and superintend their circulation ; 
 assist in the organization of district associations ; 
 and generally act under the instructions of the 
 Committee. 
 
 FROM MISS FRERE, 
 
 ENDORSED BY SIR BARTLE FRERE. 
 
 1. How far may women be employed as evan- 
 gelists ? 
 
 A. I should say as far as their health will stand 
 the work. They will be found very valuable 
 auxiliaries to established work — and in some 
 cases useful pioneers where work has been com- 
 menced. 
 
 2. If at ally are they adapted in your judgment 
 to such work in foreign lands ? 
 
yS Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 A. Most certainly. The effective work ac- 
 complished through such agency by the Church 
 of England (by means of the *' Indian Female 
 Normal School, and Instruction Society," in con- 
 nection with the Church Missionary Society, 
 and of the ''Ladies Association for the Promo- 
 tion of Female Education among the Heathen," 
 in connection with the Society for the Propaga- 
 tion of the Gospel,) by the Established Church 
 of Scotland — by the Free Kirk, the Baptists, 
 the Wesleyans, the Congregationalists, the 
 American Dissenters, the German Reformed 
 Church, and the Roman Catholics, and others, 
 prove this beyond a doubt. 
 
 3. Will you suggest any particular plan for 
 utilizing the pectdiar aptitudes of women for 
 mission work, if in your judgment such aptitudes 
 exist, and if such a plan has occtirred to you ; and 
 will you add any general conclusions which you 
 have reached in regard to the zvhole subject f 
 
 A. I would venture to begin by mentioning a 
 few general conclusions on this subject, and then 
 endeavor to state one or two particular methods 
 by which the object aimed at seems to be most 
 readily secured. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 79 
 
 Women will undoubtedly be found useful 
 auxiliaries to mission work, wherever a settled 
 mission has been established in a tolerably good 
 climate. 
 
 On account of health they should not go out 
 too young to such work. Between twenty and 
 thirty years old is the best age — but nearer 
 twenty than thirty. 
 
 They should be ladies by birth and education, 
 and it will be found better that they should have 
 some knowledge beforehand of the requirements 
 of those who would teach others, and also of the 
 trials and difficulties of such work. They will 
 also need some facility for learning languages. 
 
 In India, which is the widest of the accessible 
 fields for mission work, (for China cannot be 
 called accessible to foreigners in the way India 
 is,) the services of women will be found advanta- 
 geous in three ways : 
 
 1. The estabhshing and teaching in missionary 
 schools — especially girls' schools. 
 
 2. In establishing and superintending orphan- 
 ages. 
 
 3. In visiting native women at their own 
 houses, or '' zenanas," and instructing them there. 
 
8o Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 It is not necessary to say that at a prosper- 
 ous mission, where the staff of workers is suffi- 
 ciently large, all three branches of this three-fold 
 work may be undertaken, and each branch will 
 be found to assist the others. Access will be 
 gained to the parents through the children, and 
 to the children through the parents — and 
 orphans brought up in the Christian faith will, 
 when grown up, form the nucleus of a Christian 
 colony, capable of sending out in time trained 
 native teachers. 
 
 The masses of India cannot, I think, be evan- 
 gelized until a vigorous native Missionary Church 
 is established in the country. It is at the estab- 
 lishment of this that all missionary work should 
 especially aim. 
 
 There are two methods of employing the ser- 
 vices of women in mission work. The one, that 
 adopted by the Roman Catholics ; the other, 
 that of the Presbyterians. Both systems are 
 good, and both might be employed by a Mis- 
 sionary Church without inconsistency, as circum- 
 stances permitted or favored the one plan or the 
 other. 
 
 The Roman Catholic method is the establish- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 8i 
 
 ment of Sisterhoods, each under a lady superin- 
 tendent ; who is responsible for the manag-ement 
 of the schools under her charge to the bishop 
 of the diocese, and to the order to which she 
 belongs. 
 
 The first thing generally done is to establish 
 an orphanage, with schools attached. 
 
 In addition to the primary education given to 
 the orphans, two Sisters, for a small sum from 
 the parents, take boarders and day-scholars ; 
 children of middle-class, half-castes, and Euro- 
 peans, to whom they give what may be called a 
 secondmy education, a little in advance of that 
 given to the orphans. They also take as day- 
 scholars or boarders, the children of gentlemen, 
 who, though unable to afford the expense of 
 sending their children to England to be educated, 
 can yet afford to pay for an education somewhat 
 better than the secondary. 
 
 These three classes of scholars are kept dis- 
 tinct in the schools, and the sums paid for the 
 education of the second and third classes, helps 
 to mitigate the expense of the orphans for whom 
 nothing is paid. 
 
 The children attending, are all Christians. 
 6 
 
82 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Schools for the heathen, and Zenana work, may 
 be taken up in connection with the orphanage 
 work, if the staff of workers is large enough. 
 
 The advantage of the Sisterhood system is, 
 that the work does not fluctuate to the same 
 extent as where all depends on the individual 
 exertions of one or two ladies, who may fall ill 
 and be obliged to leave the country, at which 
 their work itself ceases. In the Sisterhood 
 system, a gap is at once filled up. It has the 
 strength of a trades-union, and the perpetuity of 
 a " company." 
 
 In the event of the American Church meditat- 
 ing such work by such means, I would observe, 
 this system can only be effective worked in, or 
 near large towns, such as Calcutta, Bombay, 
 Poona, etc., where the number of Europeans 
 congregated will provide a constant supply of 
 paying scholars. 
 
 The establishment should be under episcopal 
 guidance, or such deputy as the Bishop may see 
 fit to appoint. 
 
 The ladies should be careful not to adopt fan- 
 tastic dresses or names, or any devices by which 
 they could possibly be mistaken by the natives 
 
At Home and Abroad. 83 
 
 for Roman Catholics ; and it would be well that 
 the head of the establishment should be a widow 
 lady, and not an unmarried person, and that she 
 should have experience in the government of a 
 household. 
 
 The method pursued by the Scotch and other 
 churches is to send one or two ladies to any 
 mission station, where it can be managed, to live 
 with the missionary and his wife, and assist them 
 in establishing schools and orphanages, and in 
 visiting in the Zenanas. The ladies being under 
 the orders of the missionary, and answerable, 
 like him, to the society which sends them out. 
 This system has also been found to work well, 
 and is less expensive than the other. It is 
 pursued by the S. P. G., and the C. M. S. 
 
 With regard to the qualifications of candidates 
 for such work, the agreements made with them, 
 salaries, etc., I would refer to the papers on the 
 subject published for the use of applicants by the 
 " Ladies Association in connection with the S. 
 P. G.," merely mentioning that the ladies belong- 
 ing to this society engage to go abroad for three 
 years, and if they do not remain for this time 
 (save for the cause of ill-health), they return their 
 
84 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 passage money ; and that the usual salary is 
 about ;^I20. per annum — but this varies with the 
 difference of the expense of living in different 
 places. 
 
 It usually takes one year for a lady to learn 
 the language sufficiently to be an efficient 
 teacher in it, and during that time she usually 
 occupies herself teaching those scholars who 
 know English, and otherwise assisting her 
 fellow-workers in various ways. 
 
 Ladies should in no case be sent to do 
 missionary work before a mission is established, 
 and a home prepared for their reception ; and 
 I would suggest, that where after three years 
 health fails, and yet there is no wish to relinquish 
 the work, leave of absence should be granted for 
 return home and rest, accompanied by a small 
 salary during the time of absence. 
 
 With regard to Zenana teaching, the ladies 
 should go emphatically and avowedly as Chris- 
 tian teachers, and refuse to go where they will 
 not be permitted to read the Bible. 
 
 There might be great danger from the over 
 zeal of Christian teachers, who, being willing to 
 enter Zenanas without this provision, or declara- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 85 
 
 tion, endeavored to smuggle their opinions into 
 the houses they visited, against the plain teach- 
 ing of Christianity, and thereby might bring 
 Christianity itself into disrepute. Two little 
 books, called '' Peep of Day," and '' Line upon 
 Line," have been found most useful in India, as 
 an introduction in Zenanas to the study of the 
 Bible. 
 
 From the superior facilities ladies have of 
 gaining access to the ladies of heathen countries, 
 they will, I think, always be found particularly 
 valuable auxiliaries to mission work. 
 
 Mary Frere, 
 
 Member of the Committee of the Ladies' Asso- 
 ciation, in con7iection with the S. P. G.for 187 1. 
 London, 1871. 
 
 I concur in the views expressed in this paper, 
 which seem to me sound and practical. 
 
 Bartle Frere. 
 
 August 2, 1871. 
 
86 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 FROM THE BISHOP OF SALISBURY. 
 
 Aug, 30, 1871. 
 
 My Dear Dr. Potter : 
 
 It has been a great mortification to me to feel 
 that, owing first to much engagement, and for 
 the last three weeks to ill-health, I have been 
 quite unable to attend to the subject of your kind 
 letter, and to reply to the questions which you 
 enclosed. I write now very shortly, and I am 
 sorry to think very tardily, to say that in fact I 
 have very little to say, and very little power of 
 saying that little. 
 
 Direct employment as an evangelist, I own, 
 seems to me to be quite unsuitable for a woman. 
 I mean that actual, express missionary work 
 appears to me to belong exclusively to men, and 
 to be forbidden to women under the general 
 principle laid down by St. Paul in the Epistle to 
 the Corinthians. But having said this, I hasten 
 to add that in hundreds of supplementary ways 
 the aid of women in aid of the direct work of 
 evangelizing, seems to me to be invaluable, nay, 
 to be indispensable. The example of pure- 
 minded Christian women, their delicate tact in 
 
At Home and Abroad. 87 
 
 teaching and explaining, their womanly skill 
 and tenderness in nursing, their motherly care of 
 little ones, their knowledge and sympathy in 
 regard to their own sex, their gentle influence 
 with men, their humanizing companionship with 
 the actual missionaries, these and a multitude of 
 other things which might be mentioned, render 
 women. Christian, devoted, well-trained women, 
 of unspeakable value in the second degree to a 
 well-ordered and constituted missionary body. 
 But it seems to me that they require to be under 
 the general direction of wise men. I have learned 
 to fear female ride^ unless it be itself under 
 authority, able to know all and capable of con- 
 trolling or overruling. 
 
 I am extremely ashamed of sending you these 
 crude and hasty words ; and still more ashamed 
 to think that they will reach you later than the 
 prescribed time. Their want of value is some 
 little diminution of my regret on the second 
 ground. I beg you will present my very kind 
 and brotherly regards to your excellent uncle 
 the Bishop. It is a matter of great regret to 
 me that my age, and poor health, added to my 
 constant work, render it impossible for me to 
 
88 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 accompany my good brother, Bishop Selwyn, to 
 the Convention in October. 
 Believe me, my dear sir. 
 
 Your very faithful servant, 
 
 George Sarum. 
 
 FROM THE REV. WILLIAM PENNE- 
 
 FATHER. 
 
 Hambubg, Germarty, \ 
 Aug. 9, 1871. i 
 
 My Dear Sir : 
 
 Your letter of the i8th inst. has followed me 
 to this place, where I have been ordered for my 
 health. 
 
 The subject of women's work in the Lord's 
 vineyard has for many years occupied my 
 thoughts, and we have had for upwards of eleven 
 years a Home, into which we have received ladies 
 of whose piety and earnest zeal we have been 
 assured. Had I been at home I could have sent 
 you some printed details of the work the Lord 
 has given us to do, and if permitted to return to 
 London, I shall hope to forward such documents 
 to you. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 89 
 
 We have at* Mildmay Park, London, a central 
 house in which our female workers reside, and 
 from whence they go forth by day into different 
 parts of the great city to labor among the sick 
 and those who are " out of the way." We have 
 likewise a house in which trained nurses reside 
 when not actually attending cases of illness. 
 These latter have been very constantly engaged 
 during the past autumn and winter in attending 
 small-pox and scarlet fever patients. God has 
 protected them, and our hearts are very full of 
 praise for His goodness towards them. 
 
 I do not think the importance of employing 
 pious and intelligent women in direct work for 
 our Lord and Master can be over-estimated. It 
 is evident that in our Lord's life-time such minis- 
 tered unto Him, and that in the very early days 
 of Christianity their labors tended to the further- 
 ance of the Gospel. All false religions tend to 
 degrade woman. The Gospel of God's grace 
 raises her to her original position as a real help 
 to the other sex. God sends man and woman put 
 into His vineyard, hand in hand, to labor in the 
 blessed work of *' binding up the broken in heart," 
 and it seems to me that it requires the strength 
 
90 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 of the one and the skilful tenderness of the other 
 to effect the work. In our Divine Master (the 
 perfect One) there was united the perfections of 
 the one and the other. 
 
 Believe me to remain, my dear sir 
 Yours most truly, 
 
 William Pennefather. 
 
IV. 
 
 SISTEEHOODS AND DEAOO]^- 
 ESSES AT HOME. 
 
 THE following narratives and statements will 
 best speak for themselves. They have been 
 derived in almost every instance from those most 
 directly interested in the Associations which 
 they describe, and the aim has been, as far as 
 possible, to let each body of Christian workers 
 tell its own story. 
 
 Of course, under such circumstances, there 
 will be found to be a wide difference in the 
 opinionsexpressed in the following pages con- 
 cerning the principles and methods under which 
 women should be associated. No effort has 
 been made to obliterate the traces of such variety 
 of opinion, nor can it be desirable, in such a 
 work as this, that there should be. It would be 
 easy to reduce the whole aspect of the subject 
 
 ^91) 
 
92 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 to a narrow and monotonous range and tone, 
 but to do so would be to defeat the very aim 
 with which this volume was begun, viz., to pre- 
 sent, as far as possible, every practical view of 
 that general movement to which it relates. 
 
 As will be seen, the sketches of the American 
 Sisterhoods and similar associations that follow, 
 are arranged in the order of their organization. 
 
 1. 
 
 S^fa §oxh 
 
 ORGANIZED A.D. 1845. 
 
 The Sisterhood of the Holy Communion, so 
 called from the church under whose first pastor 
 it originated, dates its existence from the year 
 1845. It was thus the first Protestant association 
 of the kind in this country, and anterior also to 
 the first of the English Sisterhoods — Miss Sel- 
 lon's, which did not exist until 1848. The com- 
 munity was regularly organized in 1852, and in 
 the spring of 1853 the corner-stone was laid of 
 the Sisters' House, adjoining the Church of the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 93 
 
 Holy Communion. This house was built by Mr. 
 John H. Swift, who thus showed his faith in such 
 institutions among Protestants, while public 
 feeling was strongly against them. The ground 
 on which the house stands was given by Mrs. 
 M. A. Rogers. The Sisters at this time were 
 employed in parochial work, among the poor, 
 and in teaching the parish school. On removing 
 into the Sisters' House in February, 1854, they 
 opened an Infirmary in that and the house 
 adjoining, which was the germ of St. Luke's 
 Hospital. In 1855 they added a Dispensary, 
 which, with the before-named works, occupied 
 the community until the year 1858, when they 
 took charge of St. Luke's Hospital. 
 
 In April, 1863, three of the Sisters and one 
 probationer left St. Luke's Hospital and subse- 
 quently formed themselves into the '' Sister- 
 hood of St. Mary's." The increase of Sisters in 
 the Hospital permitted, in 1866, a resumption of 
 a part of their original work, in teaching the 
 parish school and visiting the poor of the Church 
 of the Holy Communion. 
 
 The views and convictions out of which the 
 Sisterhood of the Holy Communion took its 
 
94 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 rise will best be shown by the following ques- 
 tions and answers, which we are permitted to 
 take from a little work called Evangelical Sister- 
 hoods^ published under the auspices of the Rev. 
 Wm. A. Muhlenberg, D.D., the venerable Pastor 
 of St. Luke's Hospital, New York, and the 
 founder of St. Johnland. 
 
 Question i. How best may the work of organ- 
 izing a Sisterhood be begun } If, e. g., a parish 
 clergyman desires to have a Sisterhood, what is 
 the first step 1 
 
 Answer. No clergyman can begin such a 
 society, though he may prepare the way for it by 
 using his gift as a preacher ; he may also foster 
 and employ it after it has come into being, but he 
 cannot create it. Nor can money make Sister- 
 hoods, as some suppose who look upon them as 
 so many asylums for the unprovided, the world- 
 worn, and the world-weary, instead of the 
 households of fresh loving hearts, strong in all 
 their powers to '^ serve the Lord with gladness," 
 which they ought to be. Neither can conventions 
 . and committees begin Associations of the kind ; 
 they may advocate them wisely and well, and do 
 good by familiarizing us with the idea, and 
 
At Home and Abroad. 95 
 
 showing the necessity of embodying it in action, 
 but they cannot originate this action. 
 
 Question 2. With whom, then, can it begin } 
 Answer. With some experienced, beHeving 
 woman, roused to a deeper sense of her respon- 
 sibiHties as the handmaid of the Lord, and of 
 force of character enough to inspire one or two 
 others to aid her in carrying out her convictions. 
 Such an one would soon find work of the right 
 sort to her hand, and though she had at first biit 
 one companion, they two would form a nucleus 
 around which others would gather, the leaven 
 would go on leavening, and gradually there would 
 be developed an effective Sisterhood. 
 
 This first or principal Sister must form the 
 heart of the organization ; she is the centre 
 around whom the others are to rally, carrying 
 out her directions and deriving through her, in 
 return, supplies, protection, and all needful pro- 
 visions for their comfort. Referring again to the 
 proposed term of engagement, the question 
 arises, shall her administration be limited to a 
 period of three years } Rather not, I should say. 
 Because every year, as it adds to her experience, 
 adds to her value both to the Community and to 
 
96 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 the work they may be engaged in, and she could 
 not withdraw without much disturbance and loss 
 to the whole. She should therefore continue to 
 fill her place as long as she is wanted, or until 
 she has trained a successor, or until, in the 
 multiplication of such societies, another is found 
 from among their ranks qualified to be her 
 substitute. 
 
 Question 3. What is the simplest and most 
 readily practicable plan upon which to frame 
 such an Association } 
 
 Answer. In attempting, as succinctly as 
 possible, to reply to this question, it should be 
 premised that in each community so formed, the 
 details will necessarily be modified by the 
 character of the work undertaken and by the 
 attainments and resources of the Sisters who 
 undertake it. The following would be the 
 general plan : 
 
 I. The Association or Sisterhood would have 
 its home in the institution employing it — the 
 hospital, orphan house, or whatever it is, being 
 its proper abode and training-place. The initi- 
 ation of these Societies is facilitated by thus doing 
 away with the necessity and difficulty of provid- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 97 
 
 ing special houses. Obviously any institution 
 expecting to be so worked, must appropriate 
 suitable accommodations for the workers. 
 
 2. No amount of funds is requisite for such a 
 society. The Sisters would have their board, 
 lodging and washing under the roof of the 
 charity they serve (but of whose pecuniary affairs 
 they had best have no management), and, as a rule, 
 they would look for nothing beside. In this way 
 is removed another point sometimes presented as 
 an obstacle. 
 
 3. Each Sister would ordinarily have enough 
 means of her own, or through private friends, for 
 her few personal expenses. It is desirable such 
 should be the case for other than pecuniary 
 reasons. But sometimes there would be valuable 
 candidates for admission, v/ho could not provide 
 for themselves. To meet this contingency, the 
 institution using the Sisterhood might make it a 
 part of its regular expenses to place statedly in 
 the hands of an appointed treasurer a small sum 
 toward a Sister's Fund, out of which to supply 
 this or any other accidental demand of the 
 association : or the Sisters might form such a 
 fund among themselves. The fact that any 
 
 7 
 
98 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Sister is so aided should be known only to the 
 Superintending Sister and the holder of the fund. 
 
 4. The Elder, or Superintending Sister would 
 be the natural counsellor of the community. 
 She directs the employment of the others, and is 
 invested with enough control to secure efficient 
 service, and to prevent any sudden rupture and 
 lapses in the work. She would also attend, on 
 behalf of the community, to any business trans- 
 actions that might become necessary with the 
 authorities of the institution they are engaegd 
 in. 
 
 5. The few rules of the society would have 
 regard to the allotment of work : the hours of 
 rest, devotion, and recreation : becoming plain- 
 ness of food and attire, and other domiciliary 
 matters. They should be subscribed to by each 
 associate on her admission to full membership, 
 and she should hold herself bound by them 
 as long as she continues in the community. 
 
 6. The prescribed term of service is three 
 years, and this should be preceded by a proba- 
 tion, varying with circumstances, but never less 
 than six months in duration ; and the candidate 
 should be ordinarily not under twenty-one years 
 
At Home and Abroad. 99 
 
 of age, and not over forty. A short trial visit 
 might with advantage be made a preliminary of 
 this probation. A candidate could be received 
 as a probationer on the judgment of the superin- 
 tending Sister alone, but the vote of all the 
 others should be necessary for admission to full 
 membership. This prospect of a termination of 
 their engagement, after three years, would go 
 far with some to soothe any discontent or 
 weariness that might steal over them ; and, in 
 the same light, the petty grievances which will 
 sometimes start up in the happiest Community, 
 instead of being magnified into seeds of disaffec- 
 tion, would pass for the trifles they are. 
 
 7. At the end of three years a Sister, if she 
 desire, might renew her term of service, suppos- 
 ing that, as at first, she is accepted by the vote 
 of the rest of the Community, and it is to this 
 provision that we must look for a deepening and 
 widening of the work, and for a succession of 
 well-qualified heads for other similar institutions. 
 Frequently when her engagement expired, the 
 Sister would return to her own home ; but some- 
 times, perhaps often, there would appear one of 
 more tenacity of purpose, or of stronger faith 
 
100 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 and love, not willing to live as she had done 
 before joining the Association ; and feeling con- 
 strained to work on after the same manner. 
 Such a one might, as we have seen, renew her 
 term of service where she is, or she might carry 
 out her wishes, and, at the same time, have the 
 refreshment and benefit of a change of work, by- 
 joining some other Sisterhood differently occu- 
 pied, for a term of service : or if possessing 
 administrative talent, and otherwise fit for head- 
 ship, she might go forth and inaugurate a new 
 Society, which, in its turn, would send out, now 
 and again, new centres for other organizations, 
 and so might such Associations be both multi- 
 plied and reproduced. 
 
 8th. Supposing there should be several of these 
 Associations, engaged in so many different par- 
 ishes or institutions ; they would be independent 
 of each other. There would be sisterly inter- 
 course, perhaps kindly interchange of service, but 
 no corporate relation would exist between them. 
 This is necessary in the improbability of any 
 central organization. 
 
 9. There should be a prescribed dress — not 
 the affectation of some foreign religious habit, but 
 
At Home and Abroad. ioi 
 
 an adaptation (peculiar only in its plainness and 
 simplicity), of the ordinary attire of a gentle- 
 woman. 
 
 There are several common-sense reasons why 
 the members of a Christian Sisterhood should 
 dress alike. 
 
 1st. It promotes sisterly equality, precluding, 
 like a clergyman's surplice, invidious differences of 
 appearance between the more wealthy and the 
 less well-provided members. 
 
 2d. It excludes eccentricities and unsuitable- 
 nesses. 
 
 3d. It is economical as to the outlay both of 
 money and time. 
 
 4th. It is a badge of sisterly union, and as such 
 is of value to the Community in much the same 
 way as a soldier's uniform is to the regiment, or a 
 scholar's gown and cap to the university. 
 
 Question 4. Can Associate, or Non-resident 
 Sisters, be made an effective agency in connec- 
 tion with Sisterhoods } 
 
 Answer. In the Sisterhood of the Holy Com- 
 munion provision was at one time made for the 
 admission (of course as a subordinate arm of the 
 service) of Associate or non-resident Sisters, who 
 
102 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 gave a certain number of hours a day and then 
 returned to their homes. The experiment was 
 fully tried, and after a few years was laid aside as a 
 failure. It proved as unsatisfactory to the Asso- 
 ciate as to her companions. Her heart seeking 
 to be in two places was at rest in neither, and 
 sometimes heart and conscience would stand at 
 issue ; so that, more than once has such a one 
 said, in speaking of her embarrassments, *' It would 
 be easier for me to be a United Sister." Doubt- 
 less it would, for in this sense also it is true that 
 we cannot serve two masters. A woman's heart 
 is not formed to entertain, at the same time, two 
 engrossing objects of interest ; either h-er work 
 must be first or society first ; and if she tries to 
 have it otherwise, she will often find herself 
 painfully divided between the opposing claims. 
 In a work there must be sacrifice. That which 
 costs nothing is worth nothing ; and if a woman 
 would be a true, whole-hearted worker for the 
 Lord, in the way we are supposing, she must 
 separate herself, at least for the period of her 
 engagement, from many things both dear and 
 delightful. Nor shall she be without her reward 
 in so doing, the reward of a freedom of mind and 
 
At Home and Abroad. 103 
 
 peace of soul which will shed over all her paths 
 rays of a heavenly sunshine. 
 
 Question 5. Must there, then, be an entire 
 withdrawal from all social ties } 
 
 Answer. No — only such a regulation of our 
 intercourse with relatives and friends as shall 
 make it the refreshment, not the governing busi- 
 ness of the day. Indeed, proper provision for 
 such intercourse as a recreation, and for regular 
 out-door exercise, should be made in all these 
 associations. 
 
 PRmCIPLES km RULES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SISTERHOOD OF THE HOLY COMMUNION. 
 
 I. From the Principles of Association. 
 
 The members of the Community are of two 
 classes, United Sisters and Probationers. 
 
 The United Sisters are those who, after a satis- 
 factory probation, are elected full members of 
 the society. 
 
 The Probationary Sisters are those under 
 
104 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 training for full membership, and are not ordina- 
 rily under twenty-one nor over forty years of age. 
 
 The vote of the United Sisters is necessary to 
 full membership. 
 
 The probationary term is never less than six 
 months, and may be prolonged at discretion. 
 
 The services of the Sisters are gratuitous, but 
 they have their board and lodging free of ex- 
 pense. 
 
 The term of engagement for a United Sister is 
 three years, renewable, if desired, at the expira- 
 tion of the same, by the vote of the other 
 Sisters, as at first. 
 
 The government of the Community devolves 
 upon one of the United Sisters, known as the 
 First Sister, to whom the others are expected to 
 3aeld a cheerful obedience in all things pertaining 
 to the ordering of the Community, and the work 
 given it to do. 
 
 II. From the Rules. 
 
 The Sisters are required to conform exactly to 
 the appointed order of the day. 
 
 They dress alike, and as plainly and inexpen- 
 sively as possible. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 105 
 
 The visits of relatives and friends can be re- 
 ceived by the Sisters only in their hours of recre- 
 ation. No visits are expected on Sundays. 
 
 The Sisters have daily an allotted time for 
 recreation, and during the summer months a 
 vacation each of four weeks. 
 
 The First Sister has the discretionary power 
 of dispensing with the observance of the rules. 
 She directs the employment of the Sisters, both 
 United and Probationary, in the hours allotted, 
 and exercises a mother's care as to their health 
 and comfort. 
 
 The Probationary Sister is expected to perform 
 cheerfully the work given her to do, and, in a do- 
 cile spirit, to receive the direction of any Sister 
 under whose instruction she may be placed. 
 
 III. Questions for Self-Examination. 
 
 Selected and slightly altered from a series prepared hy Pastor 
 Fletdnee, with especial reference to Deaconesses employed 
 in Hospitals. 
 
 Concerning the Morning. 
 
 I. Have I, on waking, thought first of God, 
 and lifted up my heart to Him in praise and 
 thanksgiving t 
 
io6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 2. Have I prayed for renewed grace and for- 
 giveness, for fresh love, humility, and wisdom to 
 enable me to do my duty for our Saviour Christ's 
 sake ? 
 
 3. Have I omitted to mention in my prayers 
 those committed to my care, the Sisters, all who 
 dwell with me, my relations, my spiritual pastor, 
 and others whom I am bound so to remember ? 
 
 4. Do I ask that I may, all the day, do every 
 thing as in God's sight, seeking the approbation 
 of my Saviour, and not to please men ? 
 
 5. Do I rise punctually, and dress quickly, with 
 due regard to propriety and neatness, but without 
 ministering to vanity ? 
 
 6. Do I in silence collect my thoughts and pre- 
 pare for the united morning devotions ? Have I 
 been, unnecessarily absent from these ? Do I join 
 in them with my whole heart, and seek to make 
 them profitable to myself? 
 
 Concerning external Duties. 
 
 7. Do I take care that the ward of which I have 
 charge is aired and arranged at the proper time ? 
 
 8. Have I listened attentively to the direction 
 of the physician, and observed punctually his 
 
At Home and Abroad. 107 
 
 orders as to medicine, diet, etc., using no reme- 
 dies not prescribed or sanctioned by him ? 
 
 9. Am I careful to inform him of the patient's 
 state, and, when necessary, of the particular effect 
 of the medicines administered ? 
 
 10. In attending to the bodily wants of the 
 sick, have I done so kindly and faithfully ? Do I 
 see that their clothing, diet, etc., are sufficient 
 and of the right kind ; and when this is not the 
 case, do I at once give information to the 
 superintending Sister ? 
 
 11. Have I been prudent and careful in using 
 the various provisions and appliances of the Hos- 
 pital, remembering that the institution is sup- 
 ported by charity ? 
 
 12. Have I performed my duty without noise 
 or display ? Have I been obliging, patient, 
 cheerful, and watchful, as becomes one who serves 
 the sick for the Lord's sake ? 
 
 13. Have I been just and equal in my treat- 
 ment of the patients, ministering to them without 
 partiality ? 
 
 Concerning Spiritual Duties to the Sick. 
 
 14. In reading and talking to the sick, have I 
 
io8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 tried to point them to the love of God in chastis- 
 ing them (Heb. xii. 5-12); showing them that He 
 allows us to suffer in the flesh that we may cease 
 from sin (i Pet. iv. i); that He makes whole that 
 we may sin no more (John v. 14); that the works 
 of God may be made manifest in us (John ix. 
 1-3); that God may be glorified thereby? (John 
 xi. 4.) 
 
 15. Have I procured for my patients a suffi- 
 ciency of spiritual food — e. £-., of religious books, 
 and above all, the Bible, and have I tried to 
 direct them so that they might read profitably ? 
 
 16. Have I sought diligently to cheer and help 
 them by talking, reading, and praying with them, 
 as opportunity offered ? 
 
 17. Have I named to the clergyman any espe- 
 cially needing his assistance, and, when he desired 
 it, informed him of the state of their minds ? 
 
 18. Have I considered my patients as placed in 
 Christ's school, and, when necessary, warned and 
 exhorted them to listen to God's call to repent- 
 ance ? 
 
 19. Have I striven to promote in them resigna- 
 tion to God's will, teaching them to cast all their 
 anxieties upon Him ? 
 
At Home and Abroad. 109 
 
 20. Have I checked too much talk about 
 worldly things, especially arguments on politics 
 and public affairs ? 
 
 21. Have I been careful by no means to dispute 
 with the sick about religion, nor to allow them to 
 dispute with one another ? 
 
 22. Have I endeavored to cultivate mutual 
 kindness and good will between the different sick 
 ones entrusted to me ? 
 
 23. If engaged with the sick children, have I 
 tried to train their hearts and souls aright, nour- 
 ishing and cherishing them as the lambs of 
 Christ's flock ? 
 
 Concernmg my C oviduct to the Sisters, to the 
 Superiors of the House, and Others. 
 
 24. Have I endeavored to show sincere love to 
 those living with me, especially to the Sisters, 
 that we may be of one mind in the Lord ? In 
 any dispute that has arisen, have I allowed '' the 
 sun to go down upon my wrath," or sought 
 Christian reconciliation before going to rest ? 
 
 25. Have I always been obedient to the Sisters 
 immediately set over me, as well as to the other 
 superiors of the house, with child-like submission, 
 
no Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 without murmuring, according to the admonition 
 of St. Paul ? (Phil. ii. 14.) Have I allowed any 
 feelings of bitterness, or anger, or dislike, to arise 
 in my mind toward those who have blamed me ? 
 Or, if such arose, did I quickly recognize their 
 sinfulness, and strive to overcome them by 
 confessing them to the Lord, and beseeching 
 Him to give me a kind and affectionate heart ? 
 
 26. If any of the duties imposed upon me 
 seemed too difficult or unsuited to me, did I 
 mention this privately to the superintending 
 Sister, or did I complain to the others, and judge 
 her uncharitably ? 
 
 27. Have I concealed from the superiors of the 
 institution anything which conscientiously, or by 
 the rules of the house, I was bound immediately 
 to tell them, whether it related to myself, to 
 others, or to the hospital ? 
 
 28. If other Sisters have been placed with me 
 that I might direct them or receive assistance 
 from them, have I always treated them with 
 kindness, meekness, and humility, as our Saviour 
 teaches us by His example (John xiii. 2-15), and 
 by His word .? (Mark x. 42-45 ; Matt. xii. 50.) If 
 it has been my duty to find fault or reprove, 
 
At Home and Abroad. hi 
 
 have I done so in a spirit of holy love, as privately 
 and kindly as possible, both in words and 
 
 manner 
 
 29; Has the fear of man, or the desire to 
 please man, kept me silent when I ought to have 
 rebuked or admonished ? 
 
 30. In my work have I looked upon my own 
 things instead of on those of others ? Have I 
 sought to lay the difficult and disagreeable duties 
 upon others instead of doing them, when I could, 
 myself, as a servant of the Sisters, for Jesus' 
 sake ? 
 
 31. Have I kept my tongue in check, eschew- 
 ing all frivolous and useless gossiping, both with 
 the Sisters, patients, doctors, and all others 
 residing in the house, and avoiding an unsuit- 
 able intimacy with the two last classes of per- 
 sons ? 
 
 32. Have I shown a partial love toward some 
 Sisters, and, on the contrary, repelled others ? 
 
 33. Have I, during the time of my service in 
 this part of the Lord's vineyard, endeavored 
 always to maintain a serious, dignified, and re- 
 served behavior, becoming a Deaconess of the 
 Lord ? 
 
112 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Concerning the Training of my ozvn So7il, and my 
 Improvement in the Duties of my Office. 
 
 34. Do I accustom myself daily to hold com- 
 munion with the Lord at other times besides the 
 fixed hours of prayer ? 
 
 35. Do I diligently read the Holy Scriptures, 
 that they may be profitable to me for doctrine, 
 for reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
 righteousness ? 
 
 36. Have I been led to acknowledge my sin- 
 fulness by the remembrance of the Redeemer 
 crucified for me, and do I earnestly pray for 
 forgiveness through Him ? 
 
 37. Do I endeavor to prove myself a disciple 
 of the Lord Jesus by a constant endeavor to be- 
 come lowly in my own eyes, by firmly renouncing 
 the world and its pleasures, by purifying myself 
 from all pollution of the flesh and the spirit, and 
 especially from my besetting sins, by a daily 
 advancing in holiness and the fear of God, and by 
 bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit ? 
 
 38. Have I diligently thought on my baptis- 
 mal vows, and on their renewal in Confirmation 
 and Holy Communion ? Have I embraced the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 113 
 
 opportunities I have had of receiving the Holy 
 Communion, preparing myself for it by diligent 
 prayer and self-examination, and by meditation 
 upon the love of Christ ? 
 
 39. Do I try to enrich my mind with Christian 
 knowledge, and other information useful and pro- 
 fitable for my office ? Do I take advantage of 
 all the means of improvement open to me in the 
 different departments of Sisters' work ? 
 
 40. Have I taken proper care of my bodily 
 health by exercise in the open air at the ap- 
 pointed times, and by observing the rules as to 
 meals and rest ? 
 
 41. Have I sought to be faithful in that which 
 is least, obeying all the prescribed rules, for the 
 Lord's sake, however unimportant they may 
 seem, that no loss or injury may occur to the 
 Sisterhood through my fault ? 
 
 42. Have I at all times, whether actively em- 
 ployed in the duties of my office or not, behaved 
 as the Lord's servant, giving offence to none, 
 but rather seeking to please all for their good. 
 
 43. When not permitted to see the fruits of my 
 labor, have I grown desponding and listless in 
 my work, instead of hoping even against hope, 
 
 8 
 
114 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 and remembering that the sower must wait 
 patiently for the blessing that gives the increase ? 
 
 44. When allowed to see the good seed spring 
 up in the hearts of any among whom I labor, do 
 I give all to the glory of God, acknowledging 
 myself an unprofitable servant ? 
 
 45. Do I daity endeavor to give up my will en- 
 tirely to God, *' forgetting those things which are 
 behind," even all my once favorite thoughts and 
 wishes, that they may not disturb me in my 
 chosen service, nor hinder me in pressing for- 
 ward to the prize of our high calling in Christ 
 Jesus ? 
 
 46. Is it my desire to be dead indeed unto the 
 world, and to walk by faith, having my life hid 
 with Christ in God ? 
 
 47. Am I conscious that my aim in thought 
 and deed Is to advance the glory of God in the 
 salvation of men ? 
 
At Home and Abroad. 115 
 
 SISTERS' HYMN. 
 
 Together let us bless the Lord, 
 
 Together magnify His name, 
 Who moves our hearts with sweet accord. 
 
 Union in His dear cross to claim. 
 
 Sisters in Christ ! All-holy tie, 
 
 Fruit of His own electing love. 
 The fellowship and lineage high 
 
 Of sainted companies above. 
 
 "Workers with Christ ! All-holy toil. 
 Easy, through Him, when most severe ; 
 
 Cares shall not daunt, nor sin shall soil. 
 So that we always feel Him near. 
 
 Earth shall not lure. No ! Saviour-God, 
 Our steps shall on Thy will attend ; 
 
 Gladly we go where Thou hast trod — 
 Thy glory all our aim and end. 
 
 Thou all our portion and delight, 
 Thy love the brightness of our days ; 
 
 We, faint and feeble, Thou our might, 
 Our weakness turning to Thy praise. 
 
 Tea, we will praise with all Heaven's host, 
 
 Together magnify again, 
 Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 
 God, our own God, Amen, Amen. 
 
ii6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 Prayer for union with Christ. 
 
 O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the true Vine, 
 and Thy disciples the branches, grant, if I be in- 
 deed a living branch, that I may bring forth more 
 fruit ! I mourn before Thee my past unfruitfulness, 
 my selfish ease, my compliances with the world, 
 my divided affections, the unreality of my life, as 
 one professing to be united to Thee. O, renew 
 me with the quickening power of Thy Spirit ; 
 revive me with Thy grace ; give me henceforth 
 to abide in Thee ; gather up my thoughts, my 
 purposes, my desires unto Thyself. Let me 
 have no aim out of Thee. Enable me so to 
 order my life as shall best help me to union and 
 communion with Thee. Let me, in very deed, 
 take up my cross daily and follow Thee — Thee, 
 my Lord and my God, my meek and lowly 
 Master, my suffering Redeemer, who didst not 
 please Thyself, but wentest about doing good. 
 Let me never more live unto myself Let Thy 
 love within me show forth itself in love to all 
 around me, to all whom Thou hast vouchsafed to 
 call Thy brethren. As Thou hast prayed for us 
 that we may be one, even as Thou and the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 117 
 
 Father art one, grant us to know something of 
 this divine fellowship. Thou hast bidden us to 
 love one another, even as thou hast loved us. 
 Lord, kindle then in us some beginnings of this 
 love that passeth knowledge. Lord, teach us 
 and we shall learn. Lord, draw us to Thy cross 
 by the cords of Thy love, reaching unto Thy 
 throne in glory. Hearken, for Thine own mer- 
 cies' sake, O blessed Saviour, who art with the 
 Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world 
 without end. Amen. 
 
ii8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 2. 
 
 THE Order of Deaconesses of the Diocese of 
 Maryland originated in St. Andrew's Parish, 
 Baltimore, under the ministry of the Rev. Horace 
 Stringfellow. In 1855, two ladies gave themselves 
 to the work of ministering to the poor, and be- 
 came residents of St. Andrew's Rectory for that 
 purpose. With the sanction and approval of the 
 Bishop of the Diocese, a house was secured and 
 opened, under the name of St. Andrew's Infirm- 
 ary, and the number of those connected with the 
 work speedily increased to four resident and four 
 associate Sisters, whose aims and work may be 
 gathered from the following extract from an 
 early Report of the Infirmary : 
 
 "The Deaconesses look to no organization of 
 persons to furnish the pecuniary aid required 
 
 by the demands of their position 
 
 Their first efforts have been for the destitute 
 sick. Out of the house, they minister daily to 
 
At Home and Abroad. 119 
 
 the suffering and destitute sick, wherever found, 
 some only requiring temporary medical aid and 
 nursing ; others, whom God has chastened with 
 more continuous suffering, requiring, in their 
 penury and desolation, constant care and con- 
 tinual ministration." 
 
 After the sick, their cares are given to a school 
 set up for vagrant children. 
 
 Besides the Charity School, they carry on a 
 Church School for training such children of the 
 more favored classes as may be committed to 
 them. 
 
 The following are the Forms for setting apart 
 Deaconesses, for Devotion, for Annual Meetings, 
 Rules of Discipline, &c. ; of the Deaconesses of 
 the Diocese of Maryland : 
 
 FORM OF SETTING APART THOSE TO BE AD- 
 MITTED TO THE ORDER OF DEACONESS, OR 
 AS PROBATIONERS. 
 
 Dearly beloved in the Lord, we are met 
 together in the fear of God, and trusting in His 
 Holy Name to receive and ratify the pledge of 
 
120 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 obedient and loving service offered by these our 
 Sisters, whom, on the recommendation of those 
 entrusted with their care and government, the 
 whole body of the Deaconesses has by an unani- 
 mous voice admitted to its fellowship : and at 
 the same time to admit to the commencement 
 of due and prescribed probation, others, our 
 Sisters, whose hearts, as we trust, the Lord has 
 moved with a desire to serve Him in this minis- 
 tration, and whom we find, on due inquiry, to be 
 apt and meet for such probationary admission ; 
 and furthermore, to recognize formally and 
 solemnly, by one joint act, as an associate in the 
 work another Sister, for whom, in the Providence 
 of God, a post of immediate duty offers, not admit- 
 ting at present of her entrance on the customary 
 probationary course. 
 
 In their several places and degrees, these our 
 Sisters desire to serve their Heavenly Lord and 
 Master Jesus Christ in the persons of His poor 
 and weak and suffering members. For His sake 
 they seek the privilege of living only to serve the 
 widow and the orphan, the sick and the destitute, 
 the wretched and distressed. Under His bless- 
 ing, through the constituted authority of His 
 
At Home and Abroad. 121 
 
 Church, they desire to follow those holy women 
 who of old ministered to the Lord in perison, and 
 those whom His apostles admitted to be helpers 
 in the work, and succorers of themselves and 
 others. 
 
 In such following of the holy examples of the 
 days of old, these our Sisters are presented to be 
 received and sanctioned in their several degrees. 
 They are of good report, as was required of those 
 first admitted to serve tables in the Church. 
 They have been diligent in prayer for the Holy 
 Spirit and the wisdom from above. They hold, 
 as we are persuaded, the mystery of the faith in 
 a pure conscience, and we humbly trust, that 
 taught of God to know their own impurity, they 
 have turned with a repentance not to be repented 
 of to the Saviour of sinners, and have heard of 
 Him the small still voice which reveals the peace 
 that passeth understanding and purifies the heart 
 by faith. In outward walk and conversation 
 they have been proved by periods of probation 
 varying in length, but in all abundantly sufficing 
 for the satisfaction of those with whom the re- 
 sponsibility of judgment on their fitness lies. 
 Their skilfulness and unblameableness in the 
 
122 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 service of the sick and poor have been duly tested, 
 their docility and orderly obedience to the 
 superior and the physician in their several kinds 
 of ministration have been tried, and under the 
 care and direction of their spiritual pastor they 
 have learned to watch and supply the spiritual 
 wants of those under their care as far as is con- 
 sistent with their office and station in the Church. 
 To body and mind, in solacing and comforting by 
 day and by night, they have been taught, and 
 have been diligent in laboring to minister relief 
 for the afflicted and the miserable, " diligently 
 following every good work." 
 
 Thus approved, and found worthy to fulfil the 
 duties of Deaconess, our sisters here pre- 
 sent are this day to be admitted thereunto, 
 under the invocation of the Blessed Name of Him 
 whom they desire to serve. 
 
 But it is fitting, dear Sisters, that here, in the 
 presence of God and this congregation, the duties 
 to which you are about to devote yourselves 
 should be again laid before you. 
 
 You are to be servants of the Church of God, 
 as Deaconesses, specially in ministering to the sick 
 and poor, but also, if need be, to prisoners and 
 
At Home and Abroad. 123 
 
 outcasts, to the destitute and oppressed, to help- 
 less and orphan children, and to the abject and 
 friendless penitent. To some or all of these it 
 will be your dut)^, according as you shall be 
 -specially directed, to render service in a threefold 
 capacity : as, 
 
 (i.) Servants of the Lord Jesus. 
 
 (2.) Servants of the sick and poor and needy 
 of every class, for Jesus' sake. 
 
 (3.) Servants in the Lord to one another. 
 
 First, as servants of the Lord Jesus, you are not 
 only bound, as any Christian, to live to the honor 
 of God, but you have also taken it to be the 
 special object of your life to serve Him with all 
 your powers in the weak and suffermg members 
 of His Body. You are therefore so much the 
 more bound to die to all the pleasures, honors, 
 riches and joys of the world ; to seek your joy in 
 this service of love, through gratitude to Him 
 who took upon Him the form of a servant, and 
 suffered for you even unto death, the death upon 
 the cross. In this service you are neither to 
 seek for nor expect any abundance of earthly 
 reward ; having food and raiment, you are to be 
 therewith content. 
 
124 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 You are not to seek honor nor praise from man. 
 You must be willing and glad, if need so be, to 
 go forth unto Jesus, bearing the reproach. You 
 cannot seek earthly pleasure and ease. . You have 
 set out to deny yourselves, take up your cross 
 daily, and follow on, bearing it for Him whom 
 your souls have learned to love. 
 
 What privilege, what honor, shall you thus 
 enjoy ! You are to minister to Him whom it is 
 the highest reward and honor of the holy angels 
 to rejoice in serving, the King of kings and Lord 
 of lords — to serve Him as His handmaidens, to 
 wait in closest attendance upon Him in His 
 members. 
 
 As Mary of Bethany had always before her 
 eyes the one thing needful, and therefore rejoiced 
 to sit at Jesus' feet, but was also ready, when it 
 was permitted her, to wait upon and to anoint 
 Him, even for His burying — as she did not shrink 
 from her work of love, from expense, from trouble, 
 or from the derision of men, so must you always 
 desire, on the one hand, to hear the Lord Jesus 
 in His Word and ministry, on the other to serve 
 Him in His members with a love which beareth 
 all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
 
At Home and Abroad. 125 
 
 endureth all things. Then will His glorious 
 promise be yours. He will say to you, ''I was 
 naked, and ye clothed Me ; I was sick, and ye 
 visited Me ; I was in prison, and ye came unto 
 Me." ** Whoso receiveth a little child in My 
 Name, receiveth Me." *' Come ye blessed of 
 my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you 
 from the foundation of the world." 
 
 Secondl)i, as servants of the sick and needy, 
 for Jesus' sake. As you serve the Lord in them, 
 so are you to serve them as He would have you, 
 and after the example left you by His servaats. 
 St. Paul made himself a servant to all, that he 
 might gain the more. So must you, in serving 
 those to whom you minister, seek to win, not 
 their praise, not the good report of men, not 
 their love and gratitude, for its own sake, but 
 themselves, for gain unto Christ your Lord. His 
 work in saving souls must be your end and aim, 
 love and submission to Him, the Saviour of your 
 souls, your ruling motive. 
 
 Your service, therefore, must be rendered not 
 in such weak indulgence as might strengthen 
 waywardness of inclination or perversity of will, 
 but always with the holy seal of parental affec- 
 
126 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 tion, as to those for whom you must give an 
 account, whose souls you are the Lord's agents 
 to recover for himself. 
 
 Thirdly, as servants one to another, it will be 
 your duty, my sisters, when working together in 
 your several degrees and stations, to show in 
 every way that love which leads us in lowliness 
 of mind to esteem others better than ourselves. 
 Whosoever will be great among you„let her be 
 the servant of all. If you are one by a living 
 faith in our common Lord and Saviour, a tie 
 nearer and stronger than the closest ties of 
 blood binds you together in spirit and affection. 
 You live together and work together as the 
 acknowledged daughters of Him who has said, 
 '* By this shall all men know that ye are my 
 disciples, if ye love one another ;" and who at the 
 same time taught us, as He humbled Himself, to 
 show His love unto His own, by doing them 
 menial service of the lowliest kind, to follow His 
 example in gladly humbling ourselves in offices 
 of love the one toward the other. 
 
 In such loving lowliness, dear Sisters, your 
 service to Christ is to be discharged, with child- 
 like obedience and respect to the superiors in 
 
At Home and Abroad. 127 
 
 your association and spiritual pastors, who are 
 over you in the Lord, and labor among you in 
 parental love. 
 
 In the presence of God and of this congrega- 
 tion, I now demand of you, Are you ready and 
 determined faithfully to fulfil the office of a 
 Deaconess, as it has been now set forth, and to 
 keep the Rules under which you are associated 
 as such, in the fear of the Lord, according to His 
 holy word ? 
 
 Answer. I am ready, and am so determined. 
 
 Bishop. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief 
 Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, accept and 
 seal your profession and promise as yea and 
 Amen in Him, and own you as His, and with His 
 blessing crown you forever. Amen. 
 
 IT Thm. the Sisters are received, all kneeling. 
 
 God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy 
 Ghost bless you in your purpose and work, make 
 you faithful unto death, and give you the crown 
 of everlasting life. Amen. 
 
 IT Then the Deaconesses rising : 
 Draw near and give to me and to the First 
 
128 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Deaconess your right hands, in confirmation of 
 your promise and token of your fellowship. 
 
 IT TTie Deaconesses, received successively advance, and each takes 
 the right hand, first of the Bishop, and then of the First Deaconess, 
 with her right hand. 
 
 % Then all again kneeling. 
 
 Bishop. Let us who are here assembled and 
 desire for these Deaconesses salvation and 
 blessing, pray for them. 
 
 The Lord be with you. 
 
 Alls. And with thy spirit. 
 
 Bishop. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. 
 
 Ans. And grant us Thy salvation. 
 
 Bishop. O God, make clean our hearts within 
 us. 
 
 Ans. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 O Father of mercy, who hast led these Thy 
 servants to Thy Son, so that they have given 
 themselves up to Him for His own peculiar 
 possession, and desire to serve Him with all their 
 powers of body and soul, in administering to the 
 sick, and poor, and ignorant, and destitute, we 
 humbly beseech Thee be merciful unto them, and 
 direct their hearts into Thy love and into the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 129 
 
 patient waiting for Christ, that in Thy house- 
 hold the Church, nourished and strengthened by 
 Thy word and ordinances, they may Hve and 
 work in Thee, and rejoice in Thy favor always, 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Afnen. 
 
 O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou merciful High- Priest, 
 who hast purchased these souls with Thy most 
 precious Blood, Thine they are, bought of Thee 
 and joined to Thee in Thy holy covenant. They 
 have over and above devoted themselves to 
 Thine especial service. Graciously accept the 
 gift, poor and unworthy as they acknowledge it 
 to be. Enlighten them with the bright beams of 
 Thy truth, strengthen their weakness by Thy 
 power, comfort and support them by Thy con- 
 tinual presence, and give them of Thine own meek 
 and lowly spirit ; that acknowledging themselves 
 to be unprofitable servants before Thee, they 
 may, in singleness of heart, desire to be and do 
 nothing of themselves, but only to the honor of 
 Thy glorious name, now and for evermore. 
 Amen. 
 
 O God the Holy Ghost, Thou Spirit of peace 
 and comfort, replenish these members of Thy 
 household with Thy peace, that they, as Thy 
 
130 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 messengers and instruments, may bring peace 
 and consolation to the homes and families of the 
 sick and miserable, and in their companionship to 
 their associates in the work ; and grant that they 
 may ever be adorned with the ornament of a 
 meek and quiet spirit, and so govern themselves 
 in cheerful obedience toward their superiors, that 
 in performing their commands they may, with a 
 glad mind and will, render obedience unto Thee ; 
 all which we ask through the prevailing merits of 
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom 
 with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, 
 be all honor and glory, world without end. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 HYMN 179. 
 
 f Then the Offertory, &c. in the administration of the Holy Com- 
 munion are proceeded with. 
 
 % And the Deaconesses, Probationers and Associate Sisters par- 
 take, each degree severally in its order. 
 
 IT If there are Probationers to be admitted; or Associates to be 
 received and recognized, the Admission or Reception shall take 
 place ; or if both, each in its order, as here named, immediately 
 after the prayer for the newly received Deaconess, and before the 
 Offertory. 
 
 ? The Deaconesses having retired from the altar-rail, the Firsi 
 Deaconess shall bring up thither the persons to be admitted Pro- 
 bationers or Associates, or if there be both, each in their order, the 
 Associates after the Probationers shall have retired, and shall 
 present them to the Bishop. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 131 
 
 Bishop. Dear Sisters in Christ, in behalf of the 
 United Deaconesses of Maryland, it is my duty 
 now to inform you of your admission to be Pro- 
 bationers for the office of Deaconess, on recom- 
 mendation of the Rector and First Deaconess. 
 You have heard the charge given to the Sisters 
 just received, and the promise made by them, 
 and have joined in the prayers made in their 
 behalf Before you, that charge set forth the 
 character and work toward which your aim and 
 efforts are to be henceforth steadily directed. 
 That promise embodied the pledge implied in 
 your assumption of the probationary relation. 
 Those prayers, in spirit and in substance, must 
 become the unceasing petition of your soul, 
 in behalf of yourselves, that you may attain 
 to that good degree to which you have been 
 admitted to look forward, and in behalf of 
 those with whom you are now associated, that 
 they with you, and you with them, may be 
 sharers in a common blessing, through the 
 mercy of your Father, the grace of Jesus Christ 
 our Lord, and the comfort and strengthen- 
 ing of the Holy Ghost. You are to continue 
 Probationers during the times respectively pre- 
 
132 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 scribed by the Rector and Chief Deaconess, and 
 until a vote of the United Deaconesses agreeing 
 to your reception. Until" then, be it your daily 
 endeavor to grow in grace and in humility, 
 docility, meekness, and faithful diligence, to labor 
 after the acquirement of thorough fitness for the 
 department of work to which you shall be 
 assigned : in which may God our Father, and the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, with the comfort and help of 
 the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and prosper you. 
 Amen. 
 
 IT The Probationers having retired, the First Deaconess shall 
 bring forward and present the person (s) to be received as (an) 
 Associate (s). 
 
 Bishop. Beloved in the Lord, on recommenda- 
 tion of the First Deaconess, with the approval of 
 the Rector, you have been received by vote of the 
 United Deaconesses to be [a resident or a de- 
 tached'] Associate, in the manner and for the 
 purposes agreed on between you and the First 
 Deaconess. In pursuance of that agreement, you 
 are faithfully to observe the rules of the Dea- 
 connesses relating to associates in their work, and 
 to observe the directions which, in accordance 
 with those rules and your agreement, may from 
 
At Home and Abroad. 133 
 
 time to time be given. The charge which in your 
 hearing has been given to your Sisters now 
 received as Deaconesses, is equally your lesson 
 for your guidance in the fellowship with them to 
 which you are admitted. The promise which 
 they have made pertains to you also, in the degree 
 of your association. Is it your mind and will, in 
 oneness of spirit with them, in like faith and hope 
 for the love of the same Lord, to strive together 
 in your degree and lot to do Him humble and 
 cheerful service ? 
 
 IT They shall all severally answer, 
 Yes. 
 
 Bishop. May God, who hath given you that 
 
 heart and will, evermore bless you in a faithful 
 
 performance of the same, through Jesus Christ our 
 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
 HYMN 179. 
 
 IT Then the Offertory, &c. , in the administration of (he Holy Com~ 
 munion, are proceeded with. 
 
 IT After the Gloria in Excelsis, the received Deaconesses and Pro- 
 hationers and Associates, if any, shall draw near to the altar-rail, 
 and standing in order before it, shall be thus addressed : 
 
 Bishop. Ye have now, beloved in the Lord (in 
 your several degrees), entered upon the especial 
 privilege of service unto Christ in His vineyard ; 
 
134 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 to you has been especially entrusted the high 
 honor of ministering to your Saviour in His 
 weak and suffering members. Arise then, arise, 
 my Sisters, and gird yourselves, as the wise Vir- 
 gins, for His service. Behold the Bridegroom 
 Cometh, go ye out to meet Him with loins girded 
 and burning lights. He standeth at the door 
 and knocketh, in form indeed of a servant, in the 
 needy and destitute to whom your cares and 
 ministrations are to be given. Open then unto 
 Him, that He may come in and sup. Feed Him 
 in the hungry, clothe Him in the naked, receive 
 Him. in His little ones, visit Him in the friendless 
 and destitute, the prisoner and the oppressed ; 
 bind up his wounds and render nursing care to 
 His infirmities in the sick, and make Him ready 
 for the burial in the dead, whom for His sake you 
 prepare for their last resting-place. 
 
 In such discharge of your blessed office, hard- 
 ships and difficulties are to be looked for. The 
 heart may become faint and the head confused, 
 the hands hang down with weariness, and the 
 feeble knees refuse to do their office. But then, 
 too, the heavenly Bridegroom will be with you 
 as the Lord of glory. He has given you, in the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 135 
 
 spiritual food which you have been even now 
 receiving, the assurance of His Presence to sup- 
 port and strengthen, to assist and abundantly to 
 reward all such good works as He has prepared 
 for you to walk in. In Him be strong. In Him 
 be glad with holy boldness. In His might and 
 consolation go forth, ready and able to do or 
 suffer whatsoever in His loving wisdom He shall 
 see fit to set before you in your work for Him. 
 % Let us pray. 
 Almighty and everlasting God, who dost 
 vouchsafe to accept and bless the humble service 
 of those to whom, in Thy great goodness, Thou 
 hast given a willing heart, grant, we beseech Thee, 
 to these Thy handmaidens, such wiUingness of 
 heart, such humble quietness of spirit and confi- 
 dence in Thee, such sincerity and godly simplicity 
 in the denial of self and glad endurance of priva- 
 tion, hardship, thanklessness and reproach in the 
 service of Thy poor and the little ones of Thy 
 flock, and such faithful perseverance in meekness, 
 lowliness, and long-suffering, and abounding 
 charity among each other, and towards all men, 
 as may obtain Thy merciful acceptance and 
 overflowing blessjng for their work, through the 
 
136 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 alone merits and intercession of Jesus Christ, Thy 
 Son our Lord. Amen. 
 
 IT Thm, shall follow the Benediction. 
 
 First Prayer for Chapter Meetings. 
 Almighty and most merciful Father, who by 
 thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in the day of his 
 visible dwelling among men, didst accept the 
 ministrations of women to His sacred person, 
 vouchsafe to regard our supplications in behalf of 
 these Thine handmaids now assembled, in the 
 desire and endeavor, in the devotion of themselves 
 and of their services, to prove their love to Thee. 
 Accept and bless the purpose of their hearts, in 
 so far as it is Thy work, the fruit of Thy word 
 and Holy Spirit. Thou who knowest the hearts 
 of all, search and try the ground of the hearts of 
 Thy servants ; see whether there be in them a 
 spirit of entire devotion to Thy service, and 
 create it, if there be not, and strengthen it if 
 there be. Overcome in them, O Lord, the dull- 
 ness and slowness of their minds, and make therrl 
 to understand more and more of the unsearchable 
 riches of Thy grace. Overcome the earthliness 
 of their affections ; make them to love Thee as 
 
At Home and Abroad. 137 
 
 well as they can love at all, and suffer them to 
 have no affection independent of Thee. Over- 
 come in us all, especially, O God our Saviour, 
 our self-love ; root it out of our hearts, as Thy 
 grace only can, and implant in its stead love to 
 Thee as the great motive of our life, the spring 
 of all our thoughts, and words, and actions. 
 
 Thou hast left us, O Lord, the poor and mise- 
 rable ; saying, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of 
 the least of these, ye did it unto me ; and grant 
 to these Thy servants grace and opportunity to 
 spend their days in ministering to such in Thy 
 Name. Touch all our hearts with heavenly pity. 
 Fill all our souls with holy zeal. Increase 
 our faith. Root and ground us in love. Clothe 
 us with humility. Make for each and all of 
 us our way plain before us, and give us strength 
 and courage patiently to surmount every 
 obstacle with which Thou mayest see fit to 
 try us. Breathe upon Thy whole Church the 
 spirit of love unfeigned. Give us for darkness 
 light ; for prejudice the charity that hopeth all 
 things ; for strife and envyings, a holy emulation 
 in Thy service, and for Thy glory. 
 
 All this we ask, O heavenly Father, for Thine 
 
138 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 own mercies' sake, and for the sake of the 
 infinite merits of Thy true and only Son ; to 
 whom, with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God 
 over all, blessed forever, be honor, praise and 
 glory, now and evermore. Amen, 
 
 RULES FOR THE ORDER OF DEACONESSES OF 
 THE DIOCESE OF MARYLAND. 
 
 1. This organization of Christian women, under 
 the pastoral care of the Bishop of the Diocese, 
 is established for the management of an Infirm- 
 ary, the formation of Church Schools, and such 
 other works of charity as may be deemed 
 expedient. 
 
 2. The members of this Society are divided 
 into three classes, (i) The United Deaconesses. 
 (2) Probationers. (3) The Associate Deacon- 
 esses. 
 
 3. The United Deaconesses are those who, 
 having passed through their Probationary terms, 
 and contemplating a permanent continuance in 
 the Order, are admitted, upon application to the 
 Bishop, by an unanimous election of the United 
 Deaconesses. They must be at least twenty 
 years of age. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 139 
 
 They reside in the Parental House, unless 
 being called by Providence to some other sphere 
 of duty, they depart with the full sanction of the 
 Bishop and the Order, still however retaining 
 their allegiance to the Society, continuing 
 always subject to its rule, statedly rendering 
 a report of their work, to the First Deaconess, 
 and holding themselves in readiness to be re- 
 called whenever deemed necessary or proper by 
 those in authority. 
 
 All the United Deaconesses are bound to 
 hold themselves in readiness to be sent by the 
 Bishop to any other field, whenever it is deemed 
 necessary for the promotion of the object of the 
 organization. 
 
 4. The government and regulation of the 
 Society is vested in the First Deaconess, who is 
 nominated to the office by the Bishop, and 
 unanimously elected by the United Deaconesses, 
 and to whom all the other members shall 
 render cheerful obedience. She shall have charge 
 of all money given to the Society, which being 
 first dedicated to Almighty God, through the 
 Offertory, shall by her be dispensed as she in her 
 discretion shall deem best for the support of the 
 
I40 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 members and for the furtherance of the objects 
 for which the Society is organized. She shall 
 keep accurate accounts of all income and 
 outlay, and exhibit the same to the Bishop of 
 the Diocese as often as may be required, and to 
 the United Deaconesses once every month. 
 
 5. The United Deaconesses shall assume an 
 economical habit, conforming in expense, style, 
 and color, which shall be black or gray, as the 
 necessity of their position may require. 
 
 6. Each lady shall be furnished with the sum of 
 $100 per annum for her personal expenses and 
 private charities, while in active service, and 
 during sickness and old age she is in all things 
 provided for at the expense of the organization. 
 
 7. Every United Deaconess is forbidden to 
 receive fee or compensation for her services, but 
 whenever remuneration is made, it must be paid 
 to the organization, and placed in a Reserve 
 Fund to provide for the wants of aged, infirm or 
 sick Deaconesses. 
 
 8. A Deaconess is at liberty to retire from the 
 Association six months after having addressed 
 her resignation to the Bishop of the Diocese, 
 which term he may shorten if desirable. He 
 
At Home and Abroad 141 
 
 also has the right to dismiss any Deaconess 
 when, for improper conduct, or for any other 
 grave consideration, he may deem the measure 
 necessary. 
 
 9. It shall be the part of the First Deaconess 
 daily to assign an outline of duty to each 
 member of the Order, beginning the day with 
 prayer for the Divine aid in the discharge of their 
 several duties. 
 
 10. Six hours of Prayer — 6 and 9 A. M., 12, 3, 6 
 and 9 P.M., shall be observed by the United 
 Deaconesses, wherever they may be, or whatever 
 may be their employments — those who are 
 sufficiently disengaged assembling in the Chapel 
 or Private Oratory for such services as are ap- 
 pointed, and those who are ministering or em- 
 ployed elsewhere using mentally an established 
 form for the set hours, and meditating on such 
 topics for the day as may be pointed out by their 
 spiritual Director. On Friday preceding the 
 Holy Communion, at 3 P. M., the whole body^ if 
 possible, shall assemble with the Pastor in 
 charge for his direction, counsel, and blessing. 
 
 11. The Feasts and Fasts of the Church shall 
 be duly observed by such relaxation or by such 
 
142 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 increased abstinence as the care of the sick, 
 and the due performance of duty may permit. 
 
 All the members are entitled to an annual 
 season of rest and freedom from care, according 
 as their needs, their health, and. the wants of the 
 Institution shall determine. 
 
 Hours of visiting and receiving visits shall be so 
 limited as not to interfere with the daily dis- 
 charge of duty. 
 
 12. Probationers may be received for three 
 months or longer, as shall be determined by the 
 Bishop and the United Deaconesses on their 
 entrance. They shall be placed under the charge 
 of one of the United Deaconesses, in order to 
 be fitted for the departments they are expected 
 to occupy. During their probationary term they 
 form part of the family, and in all things 
 conform to its rules and regulations. 
 
 OF associates. 
 
 13. Any one wishing to become an Associate, 
 must hand in her name to the First Deaconess, 
 with the time she wishes to devote to the work. 
 If approved by the whole body, she shall, as 
 often as practicable, meet at the Noon Services 
 
At Home and Abroad. 143 
 
 for the purpose of united Prayer, and for receiv- 
 ing directions for her daily work from the First 
 Deaconess, to whom she is in all things to refer, 
 as the head of the Organization, and to whom 
 she shall render a full report once a month. 
 
 14. It shall be the aim of the whole Associa- 
 tion to increase its operations by an increase of 
 members, and by an extension of the various 
 departments of works of charity, as contemplated 
 in Article i. 
 
 INTERIOR DISCIPLINE. 
 
 1. Each Deaconess has a distinct department, 
 division or subdivision of work assigned her by 
 the Chief Deaconess. 
 
 2. Once assigned such department, she shall be 
 changed only with the consent of the Deaconess 
 herself, or else with the advice and consent of a 
 majority of the Deaconesses in Chapter as- 
 sembled. 
 
 3. For the state and duties of such department, 
 &c., the Deaconess in charge is responsible to 
 the Chief Deaconess. Any complaint concerning 
 it must be made directly to the Deaconess in 
 charge ; and only in case of alleged neglect of 
 
i44 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 such complaint by her, to be carried to the Chief 
 Deaconess. 
 
 4. The Chief Deaconess may, and is bound to 
 notice any neglect or deficiency in any depart- 
 ment, &c., by direct communication with the 
 Deaconess in charge. 
 
 5. No censure or reproof shall be addressed by 
 the Chief Deaconess to any Deaconess or Proba- 
 tioner in the presence of any third person, but 
 directions as to the discharge of duty or orders 
 concerning duties to be performed are not under 
 any circumstances to be understood to convey 
 or imply censure or reproof. 
 
 6. Any Deaconess or Probationer shall have 
 the right of appeal from censure or reproof by 
 the Chief Deaconess to the Rector, or in his 
 absence the Vice-Rector ; but such appeal must 
 be made at the first opportunity, with the least 
 possible delay. 
 
 7. Gentleness in the conveyal of direction or 
 reproof, and meekness in the reception, will be 
 the study of all ; and each shall in all humiHty 
 help others to its observance. 
 
 8. No grievance or complaint of any Deaconess 
 or Probationer against either the Chief or any 
 
At Home and Abroad. 145 
 
 other Deaconess or Probationer shall be the 
 subject of conversation between the aggrieved 
 and any other, except the one occasioning it. 
 
 9. It is a general rule and agreement to be 
 understood and observed by all, that neither by 
 tallying nor by listening shall conversation con- 
 cerning misunderstandings or difficulties between 
 members of the Sisterhood, or concerning griev- 
 ances or complaints of any member be entered 
 into or allowed. 
 
 FORM OF SERVICE TO BE USED AT A PUBLIC 
 MEETING, OR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDER. 
 
 Se7itences. 
 
 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will 
 that thou affirm constantly, that they which 
 have believed in God might be careful to main- 
 tain good works, for necessary uses, that they be 
 not unfruitful. — Titus iii. 14. 
 
 Charge them that they do good ; that they be 
 rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to 
 communicate ; laying up for themselves a good 
 foundation against the time to come, that they 
 may lay hold on eternal life. — i Tim. vi. 17, 18. 
 10 
 
146 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith 
 the Lord of Hosts. — Haggai ii. 8. 
 
 Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, 
 saith the Lord of Hosts. — ZechariaJi iv. 6. 
 
 VERSICLES. 
 
 Our help is in the Name of the Lord. 
 Aiis. Who hath made heaven and earth. 
 Blessed be the Name of the Lord. 
 Ans. Henceforth, world without end. 
 O Lord, open thou our lips. 
 A71S. And our mouth shall show forth Thy 
 praise. 
 
 IT Thtn shall he said from the Psalter Psalm cxi. with the Gloria 
 
 Patri, and Psalm cxlv. with the Gloria Patri. 
 IT Then shall he read the Lesson, thus announced : The Lesson is 
 
 written in the chapter of 
 
 If After the Lesson shall he sung from the Psalms in metre, <Se- 
 
 lections dGth last 4 verses, and 6dth, last 2 verses. 
 
 Domimts vobiscum. 
 The Lord be with you. 
 Ans. And with thy spirit. 
 Ministei^. Let us pray. 
 O Lord, show Thy mercy upon us. 
 Ans. And grant us Thy salvation. 
 O God, make clean our hearts within us. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 147 
 
 Ans. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us. 
 Our Father, &c. 
 
 COLLECTS. 
 
 Almighty and everlasting God, who dost 
 govern all things in heaven and earth ; Mercifully 
 hear the supplications of Thy people, and grant 
 us Thy peace all the days of our life ; through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. A7;ten. 
 
 O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not 
 able to please Thee ; Mercifully grant that Thy 
 Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our 
 hearts ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy household, 
 the Church, in continual godliness ; that through 
 Thy protection it may be free from all adversities, 
 and devoutly given to serve Thee, in good 
 works, to the glory of Thy Name ; through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of 
 Thy faithful people ; that they plenteously bring- 
 ing forth the fruit of good works, may by Thee be 
 plenteously rewarded ; through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
148 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 the prayer. 
 
 Almighty and everlasting God our Heavenly 
 Father, who through Thy Son our Lord, hast 
 called us to a house eternal in the heavens, 
 vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to prosper with Thy 
 blessing the undertaking [in which Thy servants 
 of this household are engaged of maintaining] 
 [we are now making ready] for the needy and 
 afflicted, the widow and the fatherless, the sick 
 and destitute, a place of shelter and relief O 
 prosper Thou {theirl [our] handiwork, and bring 
 it to good effect. Make the hearts of Thy people 
 ready to devise liberal things toward it, and 
 strengthen Thou their hands to do a work 
 acceptable unto Thee, through the prevailing 
 merits and intercession of our only Mediator and 
 Advocate, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen. 
 
 O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast called the needy 
 and distressed Thy brethren, and hast graciously 
 vouchsafed to regard what is done unto them in 
 Thy name as done unto Thyself, look now in 
 Thy great love upon us Thy servants, and upon 
 this work in which we are gathered together in 
 Thy Name, and so let Thy Holy Spirit fill and 
 rule our hearts, that love for Thee, and for Thy 
 
At Home and Abroad. 149 
 
 poor in Thee, may make us to abound in minis- 
 trations of mercy, liberality, pitifulness and true 
 compassion. Of such graces and their fruits in 
 holy works, may this place \be more and more] 
 [become'] the honored home and centre, and its 
 immates and conductors humble, but bright 
 examples, shining as lights kindled from Thy 
 light before all Thy spiritual household, to the 
 glory of Thy grace ; whom, with the Father and 
 the Holy Ghost, we worship ever, one God, world 
 without end. Amen. 
 
 O, Holy Ghost, Eternal God, Author and Giver 
 of the wisdom from above, that is gentle, easy to 
 be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, shed 
 forth, we beseech Thee, that wisdom in rich abun- 
 dance, not only on all Thy servants who are or 
 shall be banded together in Thy grace and 
 strength for the conduct of this good work, in its 
 several parts and ministries, but also on us now 
 assembled under Thy guidance, and in trust in 
 Thee that both they and we may be Thy blessed 
 instruments of spreading Thy manifold gifts 
 abroad, and kindling with fervent zeal the hearts 
 of all those among whom we live and have our 
 daily walk and conversation, that men may glo- 
 
150 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 rify our Father in heaven ; whom with Jesus 
 
 Christ His Son, and Thee, our Comforter and 
 
 Sanctifier, we praise and bless, we worship and 
 
 glorify. One only God, now and everlastingly, 
 
 world without end. Amen. 
 
 IT 2 Corinthians xiii. 14. 
 
 The grace of our Lord, &c. 
 
 IT T7ie Hymn, 203, last three verses. 
 IT The Statement of the Trustees. 
 
 ADDRESSES. 
 
 IT The Gloria in Excelsis. 
 • IT Collects. ^' Direct," dtc. " Almighty God, the fountain," dtc. 
 
 THE BLESSING. 
 
 A PRAYER FOR DEACONESSES, ASSOCIATES, AND 
 OTHERS. 
 Almighty and everlasting God, v/ho dost vouch- 
 safe to accept and bless the humble service of 
 those to whom, in Thy great goodness, Thou hast 
 given a willing heart, grant, we beseech Thee, 
 to these Thy handmaidens, such willingness of 
 heart, such humble quietness of spirit, and confi- 
 dence in Thee, such sincerity and godly simplicity 
 in the denial of self, and glad endurance of priva- 
 tion, hardship, thanklessness, and reproach in 
 
At Home and Abroad. 151 
 
 the service of Thy poor, and the little ones of 
 Thy flock, and such faithful perseverance in 
 meekness, lowliness, and long-suffering, and 
 abounding charity among each other, and to all 
 men, as may obtain Thy merciful acceptance and 
 overflowing blessing for their work : through the 
 alone merits and intercession of Jesus Christ Thy 
 Son our Lord. Amen. 
 
152 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 a 
 
 • ^^t Sist^r]^00ir 0f i\;)t ^00tr Sl^^plj^rir. 
 ^aliim0r^, Stir. 
 
 THE organization known as the Sisterhood of 
 the Good Shepherd, Baltimore, dates back in 
 its earliest stages to January, 1856. 
 
 After various experiences and divers vicissi- 
 tudes, under different pastoral relations, it became 
 more fully organized as a Community under the 
 rector of St. Luke's Church, Baltimore, in the 
 year 1863, when it assumed its present name. 
 He resigned his charge of the same, in June, 
 1870. 
 
 It was not the outgrowth of worky but of a 
 desire to work, ** to spend and be spent " for 
 Him ''who freely gave Himself for us." It grew 
 out of a conscious want of being unable in society 
 to give one's time and labor unreservedly to the 
 Master's service — but with no intention of the 
 Religious life, as understood in the Romish sense. 
 
 It had no specified aim, but simply set out to 
 do whatever presented itself, under ministerial 
 
At Home and Abroad. 153 
 
 direction, in connection with the parish to which 
 it belonged. The immediate result was a Parish 
 school, and regular visiting among the sick and 
 needy. 
 
 The original aim was so comprehensive that it 
 can hardly be said to have enlarged its original 
 scope, although it has been directly engaged in 
 Hospital management, the care of private sick 
 and poor, the charge of private and parish schools, 
 and the conduct of an orphanage for boys. 
 
 The Sisterhood has followed no model, but 
 thankfully receiving the experience of the most 
 prominent kindred societies, and following its 
 own Providential leadings, it has attained its 
 present status. 
 
 The most serious obstacles to its usefulness 
 have been those things which obstruct the use- 
 fulness of most great and good works in their 
 inception, viz., the general inexperience of those 
 who undertake them, and the want of general 
 discipline and right views of authority, which 
 makes it very difficult for Americans to live 
 under rule and to iose individualisms in the life 
 common to all. 
 
 The Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd is a 
 
154 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Society of women, electing its own officers, and 
 originating and conducting its own operations, 
 with its definite rules, principles and discipline. 
 
 The Sister Superior is the head of the Com- 
 munity, charged with its administration, and 
 responsible for it's internal order, the control of 
 its operations and matters of detail. She is the 
 organ of communication with the Society, to 
 ivhom application must be made for the services 
 of the Sisters, and other matters relating to its 
 work. 
 
 The members of the Community are known as 
 Resident Probationers, Sister Probationers, and 
 Confirmed Sisters. 
 
 It is required of every applicant for membership 
 with the Society that she shall reside for six 
 months in the House, to test her fitness for the 
 work. This constitutes the Resident Probation- 
 ship. 
 
 The Sister Probationers are those who, having 
 passed satisfactorily through this first term, are 
 advanced to a second stage of probation, for a 
 further test of their spirit and constancy. 
 
 The Confirmed Sisters are those who have 
 passed through the entire period of probatioa 
 
At Home and Abroad. 155 
 
 Two full years will be required before one can 
 enter the rank of the Confirmed, and not then 
 unless she has attained her twenty-fifth year. 
 Vows are not required ; but no one is admitted 
 to any rank in the Sisterhood without making a 
 promise of obedience to its Rules, so long as she 
 shall remain in connection with it. 
 
 Manifestly, such a calling should be undertaken 
 ^* soberly, advisedly, and in the fear of GOD," and 
 no woman should seek or accept full membership 
 in a Community unless with the intention, delib- 
 erately reached, of devoting herself to it for life, 
 subject only to the manifestations of God's W^'ill, 
 and provided a fitness for it be discovered by 
 means of a sufficiently lengthy and satisfactory 
 probation. 
 
 The Rules make provision for releasing a 
 member from the Society, for cause^ and upon 
 sufficient notice. 
 
 Persons under eighteen, cannot be received 
 without the written consent of their Parents or 
 Guardians. 
 
 Persons over forty-five, and widows with chil- 
 dren, are not elegible for membership, save as 
 Associate Sisters. 
 
156 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 The period of probation may be lengthened, 
 but never abridged. 
 
 The Sisters retain their Baptismal Names. 
 
 Each class of the Community wears a distinc- 
 tive dress — plain and simple, but uniform. 
 
 The Sisters having ** food and raiment" pro- 
 vided, are expected to be therewith content. 
 
 Those women whose hearts GOD may touch 
 and move to engage in this work, should 
 remember that the first condition for the life of a 
 Sister must be a soul-engrossing love for GOD, 
 and an earnest, deep desire and intention to 
 consecrate themselves in body, soul and spirit to 
 this holy calling. No mere considerations of 
 convenience, taste or fancy, should lead one to 
 engage in such a work ; but there should be a 
 hearty sacrifice and offering of oneself to the 
 service of the Divine Master, desiring only to 
 know His love, to do His will, to be imbued 
 with His Spirit, and to minister to His glory. 
 
 In addition to these spiritual requirements, 
 there should be such recognition of law and order 
 as every corporation finds to be essential to its 
 life, and an honest determination to observe the 
 rules of the Sisterhood in letter and spirit. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 157 
 
 Good health is a necessary qualification. 
 
 A stated amount for board will be expected 
 from all those whom GOD has blessed with 
 means, during the probationary term. The 
 Sisters will contribute toward the general sup- 
 port according to their power, but in each case 
 the amount so given is entirely at her own 
 option, and is known only to herself, the Pastor, 
 and the Superior. 
 
 Persons wishing to become connected with the 
 Community should make application to the 
 Sister Superior. They should state particulars of 
 age, residence, such qualifications as they may 
 think they possess, the kind of work for which 
 they are fitted, and in general, anything relating 
 to the motives and principles which have led 
 them to seek a connection with the Society. 
 
 They should likewise be furnished with testi- 
 monials from their respective Pastors, setting 
 forth their religious character and standing, and 
 giving such particular information as will decide 
 the propriety of encouraging a farther movement 
 in this direction. It is especially requested that 
 clergymen will exercise great prudence and 
 caution in giving testimonials. Such serious in- 
 
158 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 terests as are involved in the work of a Sister- 
 hood should not be jeopardized by any careless 
 recommendations from clergymen to well-mean- 
 ing women who may wish to unite with it. Every 
 devout and zealous Christian woman is not 
 capable of the position, and unfit members are 
 elements of weakness and of failure. Great care 
 and conscientiousness should be exercised in all 
 such cases, and especial attention should be 
 given to enable a Pastor to ascertain, not only 
 the general goodness of the candidate, but like- 
 wise her probable vocation for the life in question. 
 
 The members of the Community are not at 
 liberty to receive compensation for any services 
 rendered, but offerings for the general fund will 
 be gratefully accepted by the Society. 
 
 The Sisters, at present, are confined to Hos- 
 pital, Educational and Orphanage work, but they 
 know no limit to their desires, and will hold back 
 from no good work, when by an increase of 
 willing and efficient members, they can honestly 
 undertake it. 
 
 The Community accepts the labors of other 
 women whofor various reasons are not able to 
 give their whole time to its interests, under the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 159 
 
 title of Associate Sisters. They may be Resi- 
 dent or otherwise. It is required of them to 
 devote a certain portion of each day or week, as 
 may be agreed upon, to the discharge of such 
 duty as their peculiar talents fit them for, under 
 .the direction of the head of the society. Resi- 
 dent Associates are held to be bound by the 
 general Rules of the Community, so far as they 
 relate to the good order and management of the 
 household. Outside Associates, though not so 
 bound, must be careful to lead lives becoming 
 those who are connected with such a work of 
 Religion and Charity. 
 
 The Sisterhood deeply needs the sympathy 
 and prayers of God'S people, but above all things 
 else, the services of earnest-hearted, true women, 
 who for the Master's sake will cast in their lot 
 with it, and consent to *' spend themselves and 
 be .spent" in a privileged life of self-devotion. 
 
 Communications touching the Sisterhood, or 
 its works, may be addressed to *' The Sister 
 Superior, Church Home and Infirmary, Broad^ 
 ivayy Baltimore^ 
 
i6o Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 PRINCIPLES Am EULES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SISTERHOOD OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 
 
 The following rules have been adopted to 
 aid the Sisters in leading lives of prayer, watch- 
 fulness, self-denial, humility, and simple trust in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 May He, from whom alone proceed all holy 
 desires, all good counsels, and all just works, 
 grant that, seeing and knowing what things we 
 ought to do, we may have grace and power 
 faithfully to fulfil the same, through Jesus Christ 
 our Lord. Amen. 
 
 RULES. 
 
 I. No person shall be admitted as a Confirmed 
 Sister under the age of 25, nor over that of 45 
 years ; or as a probationer for membership with 
 this Sisterhood under the age of 18, without the 
 consent of her parents or guardians. 
 
 "2. The ordinary period of probation shall be 
 two years — six months of which shall be passed 
 as a Resident Probationer, and the remainder of 
 the time as Sister Probationer, 
 
At Home and Abroad. i6i 
 
 3. The object of the Resident Probationers 
 during their six months of residence, is to test 
 their spirit, constancy and fitness for the work. 
 This introductory period having been satisfac- 
 torily passed, they may be admitted as Sister 
 Probationers, and shall then make a promise of 
 obedience to the Rules of the Community in the 
 Chapel of the House. 
 
 4. After having passed satisfactorily through 
 the full probationary term of two years, the 
 candidate may be admitted as a full or Confirmed 
 Sister. She shall then renew her promise of 
 obedience to the rules of the Society, and shall 
 receive the benediction of the Bishop or Spiritual 
 head of the Community. 
 
 5. While it is to be supposed that every 
 appHcant for probation deliberately intends to 
 devote herself to the service for life, yet 
 experience, or the call of God's providence, may 
 prove the expediency of a voluntary withdrawal 
 or a dismissal from the Community. In case of 
 voluntary withdrawal, unless there is good reason 
 for haste, a notice of three months will be required 
 by the Superior. 
 
 11 
 
i62 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Dismissal will require a two-third vote of the 
 Community in Chapter assembled. 
 
 6. The Sisters shall preserve their own Baptis- 
 mal names. 
 
 7. The Sisterhood shall retain its present 
 simple uniform, which can be changed only by a 
 two-third vote of the Confirmed Sisters. 
 
 8. It is expected that the probationers, on 
 entering the Society, and the Sisters during their 
 connection with it, shall contribute according to 
 their ability for the maintenance of the Sister- 
 hood. The amount thus given shall be known 
 only to the person herself, the Superior, and the 
 Pastor. 
 
 9. The work of the Sisterhood shall be dis- 
 tributed among the Sisters by the Superior, 
 according to their individual capacity, as far as 
 possible. 
 
 10. Each Sister shall receive from the Superior 
 a time-table, in which the order and arrange- 
 ment of her daily work, reading, &c., shall be 
 definitely fixed. 
 
 11. The Sisters and Probationers shall give 
 such reports of their work to the Pastor and 
 Superior as may be required. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 163 
 
 12. The hours for religious service in the 
 Chapel of the house, shall be the First hour (7 
 A. M.) ; Third hour (9 A. M.) ; Sixth hour (12 M. ); 
 Ninth hour (3 P. M.) ; Even. Song (6 P. M.) ; and 
 CompHne (9 P. M.) It is understood, however, 
 that the public service of the Church shall 
 supersede any of the foregoing hours. 
 
 13. No one shall needlessly absent herself from 
 any of these services ; and, when lawfully de- 
 tained, she shall excuse herself in person or 
 by note to the Superior. 
 
 When so detained she shall be careful to 
 observe the hour by uniting herself in spirit with 
 those who are then engaged in the direct 
 worship of God. 
 
 14. The rule for division of time may be re- 
 laxed by the Superior in cases of sickness or 
 grave emergency. 
 
 15. Every Friday evening a special service of 
 Prayer shall be used by the Sisters in Community 
 for a blessing on their work. 
 
 16. Silence shall be observed in going into 
 or out of the Chapel, unless from necessary 
 cause. 
 
 The Pastor and Superior shall have power to 
 
i64 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 appoint other times when silence shall be ob- 
 served in the Sisterhood. 
 
 17. The food provided at the regular meals 
 shall be of a plain and simple character. No 
 remarks shall be made concerning it, and no 
 food shall be provided out of the ordinary meal- 
 times except by permission of the Superior. 
 
 18. The furniture of the rooms shall be plain, 
 simple, and, as nearly as possible, uniform. 
 
 19. The members of the Community shall, at 
 all times, but especially in the street, be careful 
 to observe a quiet, modest, self-contained be- 
 havior, avoiding everything that is likely to 
 attract attention to themselves. 
 
 20. The absence of a Sister or Probationer 
 from the Sisterhood, the direction and purpose 
 of such absence, must be previously approved by 
 the Superior. Each Sister shall be entitled to 
 an aggregate of one month in every year. 
 
 21. The members of this Society, when absent 
 from the Sisterhood, must be on their guard to 
 lead a life becoming those who are engaged in 
 such a work of religion and charity. 
 
 22. A written statement is to be furnished to 
 the Superior by all who enter, giving the names 
 
At Home and Abroad. 165 
 
 and residences of their near relatives or friends, 
 with whom communication may be had in case 
 of sickness, death, or any emergency. 
 
 The Sister Superior shall record this in a book, 
 which shall be kept for the purpose. 
 
 23. A member of the Society, when absent 
 from the Sisterhood, shall not attend any other 
 place of worship than that of the Church. 
 
 24. Argumentative conversation on political, 
 sectional and controversial subjects, shall be 
 abstained from by all associated in the work. 
 
 2$. The Sisters shall have free intercourse and 
 correspondence with relatives and approved 
 friends : provided the proper times for giving and 
 receiving visits are observed, and all discussion 
 of the affairs of the Sisterhood be avoided. 
 
 26. Each member of the Community is respon- 
 sible for the condition of her room, which she must 
 be careful to keep well aired and in perfect order. 
 
 27. Other Christian women, desirous of aiding 
 the work of the Sisterhood, may occupy a definite 
 position In the Community under the title of 
 Associate Sisters. 
 
 Their obligations and duties are given in the 
 Rules for Associates. 
 
i66 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 « 
 
 28. The members of the Community shall 
 have allotted to them a portion of time every day 
 for retirement and devotion, and especially for 
 self-examination as to their obedience to the 
 spirit of their Rule. 
 
 29. The order of precedence among the Sisters 
 is that of the time of their reception or advance- 
 ment to either rank of the Community. 
 
 30. If an)^ Sister should have cause of com- 
 plaint or discontent regarding any person or 
 thing connected with the Community, it shall be 
 mentioned only to the Sister Superior or to the 
 Pastor. 
 
 31. No remuneration shall be received oy any 
 member of the community for nursing or other 
 services rendered, either within or without the 
 House. When any proffer of the kind is made, 
 it must only be accepted in the name of the 
 Society, and with the distinct understanding 
 that it is not for individual benefit but for the 
 general fund of the Sisterhood. 
 
 32. No general intercourse shall be held be- 
 tween the Sisters except in the Community 
 Rooms, and one Sister will not be allowed 
 to pay a visit to another without the permission 
 
At Home and Abroad. 167 
 
 of the Sister in charge of the House. This will 
 not prevent a Sister from going to the door of 
 another Sister's room upon a necessary errand, 
 or in case of serious sickness and other extreme 
 necessity. 
 
 CONCERNING CHAPTERS. 
 
 1. Meetings for the purpose of discussing and 
 regulating the general affairs of the Community 
 shall be held on the first Friday in each month, 
 at 7j P. M. Special meetings may be called at 
 any time by the Superior. She may likewise 
 omit regular meetings at her discretion, but 
 never more than two in succession. 
 
 2. The meetings will be presided over by the 
 Superior, or in her absence by some one appointed 
 by her. 
 
 3. It shall require not less than half the Con- 
 firmed Sisters to form a quorum. 
 
 4. None but Confirmed Sisters shall be entitled 
 to a vote on matters brought before the meeting. 
 
 5. In order to pass any measure, a two-third 
 vote of the Confirmed Sisters will be required. 
 
 6. An absent Sister may vote by proxy. 
 
 7. Matters introduced merely for discussion or 
 information, will be decided upon by the Superior ; 
 
i68 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 but if a Resolution is offered, a vote must be 
 taken. 
 
 RULES OF LIFE AND DUTY. 
 
 1. Strive to do everything for God alone, for 
 the increase of His glory, and from pure love to 
 Him, remembering that " if thine eye be single, 
 thy whole body shall be full of light." 
 
 2. Make the above your first resolution at 
 waking in the morning and the last at night. 
 
 3. Be as exact in prayer, in reading, and 
 in examination of conscience, as in taking your 
 bodily nourishment. 
 
 4. If hindered from these acts at your regular 
 hour, try if possible to find time for them after- 
 wards. 
 
 5. Do all acts of duty, small or great, as per- 
 fectly as you can. The intention and the will 
 gives the real value to every action. 
 
 6. At all times desire to be divested of self- 
 will and selfishness, and with entire simplicity 
 to be conformed to the will of Jesus only. 
 
 7. In all your annoyances and discouragements 
 strive to rise above them, and never make them 
 the subject of general discussion or complaint, 
 unless in Chapter assembled. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 169 
 
 8. Never allow anything but duty or absolute 
 necessity to keep you from the offices of Prayer 
 in Church or in Community ; and if so detained, 
 be careful to unite yourself in intention with your 
 Sisters who are engaged in the more direct wor- 
 ship of God. 
 
 HOLY COMMUNION. 
 
 1. Prepare for Holy Communion by careful self- 
 examination, contrition, and an earnest determi- 
 nation to correct whatever is amiss in your 
 character. 
 
 2. When called upon suddenly to receive, 
 strive, in the short space of time allowed you, to 
 make as full a preparation as you can. 
 
 3. Cherish a desire for union with our LORD — 
 fix on some especial grace to be asked for, and 
 some especial offering to be made to GOD. 
 
 4. Take pains to avoid the fault and to practice 
 the virtue that you have particularly intended to 
 get rid of, or to acquire. 
 
 5. Remember that it is your privilege and duty 
 to open the grief to your Spiritual Guide, which 
 may at any time deter you from the Lord's 
 Table. 
 
 6. Cultivate at all times habits of reverence. 
 
I/O Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 but avoid display in your devotions. Practices 
 more extreme than those now generally used, will 
 not be sanctioned in the services of the Church or 
 Community. 
 
 OF TEMPTATIONS. 
 
 1. Resist them promptly but calmly ; look at 
 once and with entire confidence to our Blessed 
 Lord. 
 
 2. During the conflict, commit yourself in trust- 
 ful love to the LORD Jesus CHRIST. 
 
 3. Exercise the deepest humility, and fear not 
 the power of the tempter, while you remember 
 that greater is He that is with you, than he that 
 is against you. 
 
 4. Distrust yourself, but trust in CHRIST. 
 
 5. Guard against the occasions of temptation. 
 Learn by self-examination where your weak point 
 is, and strengthen it by especial watchfulness 
 and prayer. 
 
 AFTER A FAULT. 
 
 1. Never be discouraged, dismayed, or per- 
 plexed. 
 
 2. Acknowledge and renounce your fault calmly, 
 sincerely, and lovingly, trusting for forgiveness. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 171 
 
 even if it have occurred many times the same 
 day. 
 
 3. Let this acknowledgment be open, if the 
 fault were against others ; secret, if concerning 
 yourself. 
 
 4. This acknowledgment being made, and a 
 full purpose of amendment formed, believe the 
 fault to be pardoned, and that the pardon will be 
 sealed in the next absolution. 
 
 5. Set yourself to do what before you had failed 
 to do, and do it in the best manner you can. 
 
 6. No Sister shall resort to the extreme remedy 
 of '' Sacramental Confession" without informing 
 the Superior of her intention so to do. This will 
 in no wise restrict her liberty in seeking spiritual 
 counsel, direction and advice, from her pastor. 
 
 IN THE WORK. 
 
 1. Punctuality at services, meals and other 
 stated times, must be observed whenever prac- 
 ticable. 
 
 2. Be more desirous to do the will of another 
 than your own. 
 
 3. In each department submit to her who is at 
 the head of it, as to the delegate of the Superior. 
 
172 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 4. Be content to take the lowest place. 
 
 5. Labor diligently and obediently. 
 
 6. Never interfere with the work of the other 
 Sisters, nor go into their department, except in 
 cases of necessity or by permission. 
 
 7. Guard against meddlesomeness, remember- 
 ing that you are responsible only for your own 
 work, and have no business to look after that of 
 another. 
 
 8. Refrain from censuring another Sister's 
 work. 
 
 9. Always be ready to report to the Superior 
 the condition of the work assigned to you. 
 
 10. As you will assuredly meet with many 
 things to try and fret you in your work, remem- 
 ber that you are not called to a life of ease and 
 self-pleasing, but to one of self-denial and self- 
 discipline. 
 
 Receive, therefore, all the annoyances and 
 vexations you may encounter as so many oppor- 
 tunities for growth and advancement in a holy life. 
 
 Consider that " even Christ pleased not Him- 
 self," and that if you would indeed be His dis- 
 ciple, you must take up your cross daily and 
 follow Him. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 173 
 
 11. The Sister in charge of a department or 
 class is alone to give orders concerning it. 
 
 12. Always support one another's authority, 
 and never express an unfavorable opinion of 
 another Sister's order. 
 
 13. In giving an order, or quieting a disturbance, 
 be careful that your own looks, words and man- 
 ner, express complete self-control. 
 
 14. Do not argue with children or persons under 
 your care ; give the order, and if objections are 
 raised, enforce silence by saying "hush," or "it 
 is against rule." 
 
 15. Always avoid irritating expressions, and in 
 reproof rather urge the obligation of the rule 
 than give a fresh order as of yourself. 
 
 16. Do not assume an affronted tone with those 
 under your care, or let them see they have power 
 to annoy you. 
 
 17. Avoid familiarities, and preserve a constant, 
 humble dignity, while showing the utmost kind- 
 ness, gentleness and sympathy of spirit. 
 
 18. On commencing any work, or entering the 
 work-room, and often during your occupations, ' 
 make an offering of them to GOD, and use short, 
 secret prayers for help. 
 
174 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 In outside ministrations do not exceed the time 
 allotted to you, except in cases of imperative 
 urgency. 
 
 19. To avoid embarrassment to the Society, the 
 Sisters must be careful to temper their zeal with 
 discretion, and not go beyond their own strength, 
 for the means and appliances of the Sisterhood ; 
 neither shall they apply to individuals outside of 
 the Community for aid without permission. 
 
 IN COMMUNITY. 
 To the Sister Superior. 
 
 1. Receive her directions cheerfully and follow 
 them faithfully. Even should they prove unwel- 
 come or disagreeable, let there be no murmuring 
 or complaint. 
 
 2. Never discuss her directions, canvass her 
 motives, find fault with her, or throw disrespect 
 on her authority. 
 
 3. Guard against injurious suspicions or insinua- 
 tions as to her motives or conduct, and do not 
 indulge in unkind or disparaging remarks concern- 
 ing her. 
 
 4. After informing her of anything you may con- 
 sider wrong, be satisfied there to leave the matter ; 
 
At Home and Abroad. 175 
 
 your responsibility is over ; it is her place to 
 decide and amend what needs correction. 
 
 5. Kegard her as your counsellor and friend, 
 and believe that she has the good of the Com- 
 munity as much at heart as you can possibly 
 have. 
 
 TO COMPANIONS. 
 
 1. '^ Whatsoever ye would that men should do 
 to you, do ye even so to them." 
 
 2. Cultivate the spirit of Divine charity, which 
 is the very '* bond of peace and all virtues." 
 
 3. Bear all from your companions without giving 
 them anything to bear from you. 
 
 4. Never make unkind or mortifying remarks, 
 and avoid alluding to any peculiarities of char- 
 acter, appearance, or disposition. 
 
 Shun partizanship, and always speak to and of 
 them in a spirit of kindness and love. 
 
 5. Judge nothing rashly, hastily, or unkindly. 
 
 6. In your desire for mutual service, do not go 
 beyond your allotted sphere of duty ; never 
 interfere with the duties of another. 
 
 7. Be courteous in all your intercourse with 
 your companions. Study to be kind, obliging, 
 gentle and forbearing. 
 
176 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 8. Let your language always be gentle and 
 respectful, and remember that a "low voice is a 
 pleasant thing in a woman." 
 
 9. Do not harbor resentment, unkindness or 
 bitterness, towards any who may hurt your feel- 
 ings or cause you pain. 
 
 10. Never blame a companion unless it be the 
 duty of your office to do so. 
 
 11. Pray for all your Sisters daily. 
 
 12. In recalling a Sister to order, let it be 
 sufficient to say, "it is against rule." 
 
 CONCERNING INTERCOURSE WITH SOCIETY. 
 
 1. Let your intercourse with those outside the 
 House be modest, cheerful, gentle, reticent and 
 edifying. 
 
 2. Be careful neither to speak nor write of the 
 domestic or other occurrences of the House, 
 unless duty or charity require it. 
 
 3. Avoid idle conversation touching the Sister- 
 hood, its rules, its duties, or its prospects. 
 
 4. Do not relate what you have heard within 
 the Community, unless it is something edifying. 
 
 5. Observe carefully the appointed times for 
 giving and receiving visits. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 177 
 
 6. Each Sister shall be entitled to part of 
 a day in each week for visiting or other relaxa- 
 tion. 
 
 IN RECREATION. 
 
 1. Do not allow any proud or overbearing tone 
 in thought or word. 
 
 2. Avoid all unseemly jesting, and especially 
 never make the word of God the subject of 
 any light remark. 
 
 3. Cherish refinement, politeness, and marked 
 attention toward each other. 
 
 4. Contribute towards the general happiness 
 by the serenity of your countenance and the 
 cheerfulness of your conversation. 
 
 5. Leave the recreation the moment the time 
 comes for any duty. 
 
 6. Remember that Christians are temples of 
 the Holy Ghost, and that great reverence and 
 respect are due to each other, not only for 
 politeness, but also for religion's sake. 
 
 7. Do not absent yourself from your Associates 
 during Community hours, except when it is 
 necessary, and then only by permission from the 
 Superior. 
 
 12 
 
178 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 concerning associates. 
 
 1. The appointment of Associates depends 
 upon a two-third vote of the Confirmed Sisters, 
 of which they shall be notified by the Superior. 
 The Pastor will welcome them to the Society at 
 one of the services of the Chapel. 
 
 2. Candidates for Resident Associateship will 
 be required to pass through a six months' test 
 before being formally admitted as such. 
 
 3. They are required to state the number 
 of hours they will devote daily or weekly to the 
 service of the Community, and the kind of work 
 they will undertake to perform under the direc- 
 tion of the Superior, to whom they will report 
 the result at such intervals as may be agreed 
 upon. 
 
 4. They shall have the privilege of admission 
 to the Chapel whenever they desire it ; and shall 
 be especially remembered in the prayers of the 
 Community. 
 
 5. They are on their part bound to offer up 
 certain prayers for the prosperity of the Sister- 
 hood, and in all proper ways to advance its 
 interests. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 179 
 
 6. Resident Associates are held to be bound 
 by the general Rules of the Community, so far 
 as they relate to the good order and manage- 
 ment of the household, and are required to wear 
 an appointed habit. 
 
 Outside Associates, though not bound by the 
 above provisions of this rule, must be careful to 
 lead lives becoming those who are associated in 
 such a work of Religion and Charity. 
 
i8o Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 4. 
 
 m CHARGE OF THE CHUECH HOME, MOBILE, ALA. 
 
 THIS Order was organized at Mobile, Alabama, 
 in the year 1864, by the Rt. Rev. R. H. 
 Wilmer, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese. Originally 
 it consisted, to use the Bishop's words, " of three 
 godly women," who associated themselves under 
 the Bishop's direction, and supervised for what- 
 ever work might be assigned to them. Their 
 first work was the care of an Orphanage and 
 Boarding-school for girls, — separate establish- 
 ments, but under one head. The Orphanage 
 increased so rapidly that it was found necessary 
 to give up the Boarding-school and devote the 
 energies of those associated exclusively to the 
 Orphanage, with the ultimate aim of extending 
 the work until it should include a School, Infir- 
 mary, Orphanage, Widows' House, and Reforma- 
 
At Home and Abroad. i8i 
 
 tory Asylum. At present there is a day-school 
 connected with the Orphanage. 
 
 The Association now numbers five Deacon- 
 esses, one Probationer, and two resident Associ- 
 ates, having under their charge thirty-one orphan 
 children, some of whom are infants, and most of 
 whom are very young. 
 
 All the work in the Church Home is done by 
 the inmates, there being no hired service of any 
 kind. The Bishop is the Head and Rector, with 
 adequate alternate pervision, as indicated by the 
 Constitution of the Order, which follows. 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND RULES. 
 
 1. This Order of Christian women, under the 
 pastoral care of the Bishop of the Diocese, is 
 established for the management of Infirmaries, 
 Asylums, etc., the formation of Parish Training 
 and other Church Schools ; and such other 
 works of charity as may be deemed expedient. 
 
 2. The members of this Order are divided into 
 three classes — ist, Deaconesses — 2d, Probation- 
 ers — 3d, Associates. 
 
 3. The Deaconesses are those who, having 
 
1 82 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 passed their probationary term, are admitted 
 upon application to the Bishop, by a vote of not 
 less than two-thirds of the Deaconesses, accord- 
 ing to regulation. After which they are assigned 
 to duty by the Bishop. They must be twentv- 
 one years of age. 
 
 4. There shall be a Chief-Deaconess, who shall 
 be appointed to that office by the Bishop, from 
 one or more Deaconesses, who shall be nomi- 
 nated by them, and in whom shall be vested the 
 government and regulation of the Order, and 
 who shall assign an outline of duty to each 
 member of the Order. 
 
 When the Bishop appoints a Chief-Deaconess, 
 he shall also appoint a Vice-Deaconess, to set in 
 place of the former, when necessity requires. 
 
 5. The Deaconesses shall assume a uniform, 
 according to regulation. 
 
 6. Every Deaconess shall be provided with 
 
 sum of money, annually, for her personal ex- 
 penses, while in active service ; and during sick- 
 ness and old age, she is in all things provided for 
 at the expense of the Order. 
 
 7. Every Deaconess is forbidden to receive fee 
 or compensation for her services. Whenever 
 
At Home and Abroad. 183 
 
 remuneration is made, it must be paid to the 
 Order, and placed in its funds. 
 
 8. A Deaconess is at liberty to retire from the 
 Order six months after having advised the Bishop 
 of her resignation ; which time he may shorten, 
 if he sees fit. He also has a right to dismiss any 
 Deaconess, when, from improper conduct, or 
 from any other grave consideration,' he may 
 deem the measure necessary. 
 
 9. There shall be stated hours of Prayer, and 
 preparation for Holy Communion, according to 
 regulation. 
 
 10. All the Deaconesses are entitled to an 
 annual season of rest and freedom from care, at 
 the discretion of the Chief-Deaconess. 
 
 11. Probationers are received for a year or 
 more, and placed under charge of a Deaconess, 
 in order to be fitted for the department they are 
 expected to fill. During the probationary term, 
 they form part of the family, and in all things 
 conform to its rules and regulations. 
 
 12. Any one wishing to become an Associate, 
 must hand in her name to the Chief-Deaconess, 
 with the time she wishes to devote to the work, 
 for report to the Bishop. If approved by the 
 
1 84 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Bishop, she may become an Associate, either 
 Detached, for work abroad, or in Connection. 
 A Detached Associate shall be subject to the 
 directions of the Bishop and Chief-Deaconess, 
 under such conditions, in each case, as shall be 
 agreed upon at the time of admission. An Asso- 
 ciate in Connection, must be approved by the 
 vote of the Deaconesses, on nomination by the 
 Bishop. Associates in Connection shall, when 
 practicable, meet daily, for the purpose of United 
 Prayer, and for receiving directions for their 
 work from the Chief-Deaconess, to whom they 
 are in all things to refer, as the head of the Order, 
 and to whom they shall render a full report once 
 a month. 
 
 13. It shall be the aim of the whole Order to 
 increase its operations by an extension of the 
 various departments of works of charity, as con- 
 templated in Article i. 
 
 14. The general pastoral care and spiritual 
 direction of the Deaconesses being in the Bishop, 
 he may delegate its mediate discharge for any 
 portion or portions of the whole body, as he shall 
 think proper, to one or more presbyters, as Vice- 
 Rector or Pastor ; one only, in each case, having 
 
At Home and Abroad. 185 
 
 charge of the definitely assigned member or 
 members of the Order, whether Deaconesses, 
 Probationers or Associates. To such Vice-Rec- 
 tor or Pastor the Deaconesses are held to render 
 deference and obedience as to the Bishop himself. 
 
 15. There shall be a Treasurer of the Order, 
 ippointed by the Bishop, who shall keep an 
 iccurate account of the funds received, and pay 
 them out to the Order of the Chief-Deaconess, 
 acting under the direction of the Bishop. 
 
 16. A Chapter, consisting either of all the 
 Efeaconesses, or of representatives from each 
 bnnch of the Order, shall be held at least once 
 in three years, at such time and place as shall be 
 deagnated by the Bishop. 
 
 P. No article of this Constitution shall be 
 chaiged, except by the Bishop, on the expressed 
 wish of three-fourths of the Deaconesses in 
 Chap:er assembled. 
 
 OF ASSOCIATES. 
 
 I. B(5ides the Confirmed or Full Sisters, Sister 
 Probati«ners, and Resident Probationers, other 
 Christiai women desirous of aiding the work of 
 
i86 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 the Sisterhood, may be associated with the Sis- 
 ters under the title of Associates. 
 
 2. The appointment of Associates shall rest 
 with the Pastor and Chief-Deaconess, having the 
 consent of the Confirmed Sisters of the Commu- 
 nity. 
 
 3. Their appointment shall be notified to then 
 by the Chief-Deaconess, and as soon thereafter 
 as niay be convenient, they shall be welcome lo 
 the society by the Pastor, at one of the servics 
 of the Chapel. 
 
 4. They are required to state what kind of wtrk 
 they will undertake to perform under the diiec- 
 tion of the Chief-Deaconess, and they siall 
 report to her the results at such intervals as nay 
 be agreed upon. 
 
 The following modes of assistance are sug- 
 gested as most useful, viz. : 
 
 To provide or make clothing for the poo*. 
 
 To collect alms. 
 
 To procure work, or promote its sale. 
 
 To teach in the schools. 
 
 To assist in music, or other classes. 
 
 To relieve the destitute. 
 
 To minister to the sick. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 187 
 
 To visit and Instruct the ignorant. 
 
 To attend to funeral arrangements for the 
 poor. 
 
 To take charge of, or assist in the decoration 
 of the Church. 
 
 5. They shall have the privilege of admittance 
 to the Chapel whenever they desire it, and shall 
 be especially remembered in the prayers of the 
 Community. 
 
 6. They are, on their part, bound to offer up 
 certain prayers for the prosperity of the Sister- 
 hood, and in all proper ways to advance its 
 interests. 
 
 7. It is expected that they will use great 
 circumspection in speaking of the Community, 
 its interests, prospects and working, and avoid 
 all unnecessary and indiscriminate discussion of 
 its affairs. 
 
 8. Though not bound by all the Rules of the 
 Community, yet, as connected with it, they must 
 be careful to lead lives becoming those who are 
 associated in such a work of Religion and Cha- 
 rity. 
 
i88 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 RULES FOR admission INTO THE SISTERHOOD. 
 
 1. The members are understood to be animated 
 by the spirit of the Constitution of the Order ; 
 their connection with the Sisterhood arising not 
 simply from convenience, but from a deep, con- 
 scientious conviction that they can in this way 
 more effectually work for the glory of God and 
 the good of mankind. 
 
 2. No person under the age of twenty-one 
 years shall be received as a Probationer, without 
 the written consent of her parents or guardians. 
 
 3. The Probationary period shall be one year 
 or more ; six months of which shall be passed as 
 Resident Probationer, the remainder as Sister 
 Probationer. 
 
 4. Every member of the Home is under the 
 rules of the House. 
 
 Resident Probationers having satisfactorily 
 passed the time allotted (five months) to test 
 their spirit, constancy and fitness for the work, 
 shall in the Oratory solemnly sign a promise of 
 conforming to the rules, before being received as 
 Sister Probationers. 
 
 5. Sister Probationers, having satisfactorily 
 
At Home and Abroad. 189 
 
 passed their Probation, may be admitted as 
 Sisters by the benediction of the Bishop or 
 spiritual Head — first renewing her promise of 
 obedience. 
 
 6. The Sisters retain their baptismal name. 
 Their dress shall be the uniform adopted. 
 Probationers shall wear plain apparel as di- 
 rected by the Chief-Deaconess. 
 
 7. Each member on entering shall furnish for 
 record the address of near relatives and friends. 
 
 RULES — HOME LIFE. 
 
 1. Hours for Chapel service are the First 
 Hour, Sixth Hour (12 M.) Compline (9 P. M.); any 
 of which, however, shall be superseded by the 
 public service of the Church. 
 
 2. Every member of the Community will be 
 present at these services, unless prevented by 
 appointed duty — when otherwise absent she will 
 excuse herself by note. 
 
 3. Compline on Fridays shall be devoted to 
 preparation for the Holy Eucharist and special 
 prayer for a blessing on their work. 
 
 4. The Church days of fasting and abstinence 
 shall be duly observed. 
 
190 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 5. The offices used in the Sisterhood shall be 
 approved by the Rector. 
 
 6. Probationers and Sisters shall contribute to 
 the maintenance of the Sisterhood. The amount 
 thus given shall be made known only to those in 
 authority. 
 
 7. The Chief-Deaconess shall, as far as possi- 
 ble, divide the work into distinct departments, 
 and in the distribution have regard to the fitness 
 of each Sister. 
 
 8. A table of daily work, reading, &c., shall be 
 furnished each Sister. 
 
 9. Time fixed for the various duties of the 
 house, shall be adapted to the different seasons 
 of the year. 
 
 10. Rules for division of time may be relaxed 
 in emergencies by the appointed officer. 
 
 11. Unless prevented by appointed duty or 
 sickness, the members will be present at the 
 hour of meals ; the regular diet shall be simple 
 and wholesome ; no remarks shall be made 
 concerning it. 
 
 12. The furniture shall be, as near as possible, 
 uniform. 
 
 13. Each member shall see that her room is 
 
At Home and Abroad. 191 
 
 well aired and in order, and it shall be open to 
 inspection. 
 
 14. No member shall visit another's room or 
 receive visitors in her own, unless on a call of 
 duty. 
 
 15. There shall be no unnecessary talk con- 
 cerning work, nor shall annoyances, discourage- 
 ments and grievances be discussed, save with 
 the Chief-Deaconess, or with the Rector. 
 
 16. Intercourse and correspondence with rela- 
 tives shall be without surveillance. The private 
 affairs of the Sisterhood shall not be topics 
 of correspondence. Entertainments and visitorj 
 (special cases excepted) shall be expected only 
 at appointed hours. 
 
 17. Conversation on political and sectional 
 subjects shall be avoided. 
 
 RULES FOR INTERCOURSE WITH THE WORLD. 
 
 « 
 
 1. While on the streets, the members shall be 
 quiet and modest and self-contained in their 
 demeanor. 
 
 2. The regular period of times of absence 
 shall be directed by the Chief-Deaconess. During 
 
192 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 absence the deportment of the members shall 
 reflect a Sister Vocation. 
 
 3. No member of the house shall, present or 
 absent, attend any other Public Worship than 
 that of the Church. 
 
 4. No remuneration shall be received — unless 
 with the avowed understanding that it is to go 
 into the common fund. 
 
 5. Promiscuous visiting being incompatible with 
 home duties — members of the ''Home" will visit 
 only at the discretion of the (acting) Chief- 
 Deaconess. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 193 
 
 RECEPTION OF A PROBATIONER IN THE CHURCH 
 HOME, MOBILE, ALABAMA. 
 
 THE Candidate for admission as a Probattonery 
 having been allowed by the Rector and 
 Sisterhood to offer herself as a Candidate, shall, 
 at the first midday service thereafter, be presented 
 in the Oratory, to the Rector of the ** Order," by 
 the Chief-Deaconess, as one who desires to enter 
 the *' Home " as a Probationer ^ in the following 
 words : 
 
 *'Rev. Father in God" (if the Rector be the 
 Bishop) or ''Rev. Rector" (if the Rector be a 
 Presbyter) '' this person desires to be admitted 
 Probationer for the Order of Deaconesses, in the 
 Diocese of Alabama. 
 IT Tbx,n shall the Rector say to the (hndidate (standing before him) : 
 
 ** Before receiving you as a Probationer of the 
 Order of Deaconesses, it is meet and proper 
 13 
 
194 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 that we should be certified of your full acquain- 
 tance with the Constitution and rules of the 
 Order into which you seek admission as a Pro- 
 bationer ; and, also, of your willingness to submit 
 yourself to the requirements thereof, in the same 
 way, and as fully, as if you were a Deaconess in 
 the full connection. 
 
 IT The, Deaconess appointed thereunto hy the Eedor, shall read 
 aloud the Constitution and Rules of the Order, and then the Beo- 
 tor shall ask the Candidate: 
 
 " Will you, whilst a Probationer of the Order, 
 
 render a cheerful obedience to the requirements 
 
 of the Constitution and rules just read in your 
 
 hearing ?" 
 
 IT She shall answer, 
 
 " I will so do, the Lord being my Helper." 
 
 11 Then shall the Bector say, 
 
 " The Lord, who hath given you the desire and 
 
 the will to separate yourself from the world for 
 
 the sake of becoming a Probationer in the Order 
 
 of Deaconesses, grant you His grace, that you 
 
 may be able to bring the same to good effect." 
 
 ^ Then let the Rector, commending the Probationer to the prayers of 
 the Deaconesses and Probationers present, begin the regular Mid- 
 day service ; and, just before the dosing prayer, pray as follows : 
 
 " O Almighty and most Merciful Father, who 
 
At Home and Abroad. 195 
 
 hast ordained the services of angels and men in 
 a wonderful order, and dost design to accept the 
 services of all who seek to set forth thy Glory 
 and to advance the interests of thy Kingdom ; 
 look down, we beseech Thee, with Thine eye of 
 favor upon this, Thy servant, who, following 
 the example of holy women of old, in giving her- 
 self to the ministry of want and suffering, desireth 
 most earnestly Thy grace and heavenly benedic- 
 tion. Fill her, O Lord, with the spirit of obe- 
 dience and holy fear, that she may be replenished 
 with wisdom and endued with innocency ; and 
 be enabled by Thy grace so faithfully to do her 
 duty in this state of probation, that she may be 
 prepared to do all Thy holy will, and be found 
 ever acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our 
 Strength and our Redeemer. Amen. 
 
 ^ Then, after the prayers, let the admitted Prohationer advance and 
 
 sign in a book, kept for that purpose, the promise of obedience 
 
 whilst a Probationer. 
 ^ Should the Rector be absent upon the admission of a Probationer, 
 
 let the Chief-Deaconess take his place, and ask the questions and 
 
 use the prayers as above vyriUen. 
 
196 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 OFFICE OF institution OF A DEACONESS. 
 
 T Morning Prayer, or such preliminary services as shall be appoint- 
 ed by the Bishop, being ended, the Chief-Deaconess shall advance to 
 the Chancel rail with the Probationer's to be admitted Deaconesses, 
 and sJiall say to the Bishop (if he be present and officiating): 
 
 *' Rev. father in God, I present unto you this 
 our Sister, who, following the example of devout 
 women, recorded in Holy Scripture, and written 
 of in primitive times, desires to devote herself to 
 the relief of the suffering and destitute, and comes 
 forward to ask your benediction and the prayers 
 of the Church, that she may have grace to do her 
 duty as becometh so honorable and difficult 
 a vocation." 
 
 IT Then shall the Bishop say : 
 
 ** Dearly beloved in the Lord, who art minded 
 to take upon you this service in the Church of God, 
 have you duly considered how weighty an under- 
 taking this is, which you propose to yourself, and 
 are you prepared, with a willing mind, to take 
 upon you this office of ministering unto the suf- 
 fering and needy .?" 
 
 IT Then the Candidate shall say, 
 
 " I have so considered it, and, God being my 
 Helper, I am resolved to enter upon its duties." 
 
A.T Home and Abroad. 197 
 
 IT The Bishop shall then say : 
 
 Our help is in the Name of the Lord. 
 
 Response. Who hath made heaven and earth. 
 
 Bishop. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. 
 
 Response. Henceforth, world without end. 
 
 Bishop. Let us pray. 
 
 '' O God, who didst of old teach the hearts of 
 Thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
 of Thy Holy Spirit, grant unto this, Thy servant, 
 by the same Spirit, to be enabled to perceive and 
 know what things she ought to do, and to have 
 grace and strength evermore to do the same ; 
 direct her mind in all times of doubt and per- 
 plexity ; strengthen her to bear the trials of hef 
 faith and patience ; comfort her in times of 
 sorrow ; cheer her when faint and weary in the 
 way ; and O God, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter 
 and the Sanctifier of the faithful, bestow upon her 
 Thy manifold gifts of grace — the spirit of wisdom 
 and understanding ; the spirit of counsel and 
 ghostly strength ; the spirit of knowledge and 
 true godliness ; and fill her, O Lord, with the, 
 spirit of Thy holy fear and love, now and forever., 
 In every manifestation of Thy spirit give her 
 grace to profit withal, for the edification of her- 
 
198 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 self and the benefit of those whom she serves in 
 Thy Name ; let Thy holy love, abounding to- 
 wards her more and more, stir up her heart to 
 greater deeds of love to Thee, and to greater 
 deeds of love to all who need her service. And 
 upon all the members of this Order bestow Thy 
 grace and heavenly benediction ; enable them to 
 bear each others' burdens, and thus fulfil the law 
 of Christ our Saviour. Make them to know and 
 feel their oneness in the mystical body of Thy 
 dear Son, so that their fellowship here in works 
 of love may prove to them a blessed discipline, 
 and thus prepare them at last for the society of 
 Thy redeemed ones in heaven : through Jesus 
 Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. A men. 
 
 O Almighty and everlasting God, who dost 
 vouchsafe to accept and bless the services of 
 those who serve Thee with a willing mind, grant,, 
 we beseech Thee, to this Thy handmaiden, such 
 willingness of heart, such humility and quietness 
 of spirit, such sure trust and confidence in Thy 
 love and favor, such simplicity and sincerity in 
 the denial of self, and such patient endurance 
 of privation, hardship, thanklessness and reproach 
 
At Home and Abroad. 199 
 
 in the service of the poor and the little ones of 
 Thy flock, as may obtain Thy merciful acceptance 
 and overflowing blessing, through the alone merits 
 of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and 
 Saviour. A men. 
 
 IT Then standing up, the Bishop shall address to the Candidates the 
 following Exhortation : 
 
 Dearly beloved in the Lord, I greet you in the 
 Name of the Lord! Blessed be his Holy Name, 
 that He hath given unto you an hearty desire to 
 glorify Him by consecrating yourself to the holy 
 service for which you are now set apart. 
 
 The way and means to a successful discharge 
 of your duties is, first to consider the dignity 
 and honor of your holy calling. For God calleth 
 you to no less an office than to be a co-worker 
 with Himself, in his work of mercy and benevo- 
 lence to our fallen race. In doing the works of 
 mercy and charity, you are associated with the 
 holy men and women of all ages, who have min- 
 istered unto the poor and suffering. Nor only so, 
 but you are joined in companionship and work 
 even with the blessed angels, whose employ- 
 ment and dehght it is to minister unto the heirs 
 of salvation. 
 
200 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 This is a great honor, indeed, that God confers 
 upon you, in accepting your services in that work 
 of mercy which the adorable Son of God Himself 
 undertook to accompHsh, and which the ever 
 Blessed Spirit is ceaselessly carrying on, through 
 the '' manifold services of men and angels con- 
 stituted in a wonderful Order." 
 
 But that you may live in the abiding sense of 
 your holy calling, it is needful that you should 
 cultivate in an especial manner the Jiabit of 
 devotion. Learn to look upon your office from the 
 height of eternity, not to estimate it by the 
 judgment of the world, but by the judgment 
 which God Himself has revealed in His Holy 
 word ; wherein He declares that, *' He that 
 winneth souls is wise, and he that turneth many 
 unto righteousness, shall shine as the stars forever 
 and ever." 
 
 Should you be tempted to look away from the 
 great end of your holy service, and seek to 
 please yourself, either by coveting ease or repu- 
 tation, or by rebelling against the needful rules 
 and restraints which are made to govern )^ou in 
 your relations to you^ fellow-workers, then you 
 will be shorn of your strength, and grow weary 
 
At Home and Abroad. 201 
 
 in well-doing ; and the work committed to your 
 trust, will suffer through your negligence and 
 folly 
 
 But He who hath called you is faithful, and 
 will not suffer you to be tempted above that you 
 are able to bear. He calleth His servants to no 
 duty without giving the needful grace to dis- 
 charge it. This thought should ever inspire you 
 with hope. But in giving us the rewards of our 
 labors, He worketh according to His own good 
 will and pleasure. This thought should teach 
 you to ''wait upon the Lord with, patience ; that, 
 after having done the will of God, you should in- 
 herit the blessing ;" and, as is testified in another 
 place, *'If we hope for that we see not, then do 
 we with patience wait for it." 
 
 These admonitions, dear Sister, which apply to 
 all Christian people, address themselves with a 
 peculiar significance to those who, like yourself, 
 are separated to a work that demands an unusual 
 degree of faith and patience. 
 
 Therefore, continually calHng to mind the 
 dignity and responsibility of your calling, and 
 remembering the " cloud of witnesses" who, 
 having fulfilled their course, do now rest from 
 
202 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 their labors, ''run with patience the race that is 
 set before you, looking unto Jesus, the Author 
 and Finisher of your faith ; who, for the joy that 
 was set before Him, endured the cross, despising 
 the shame, and is now set down at the right 
 hand of the throne of God." '' For consider Him 
 that endured snch contradiction of sinners 
 against Himself, lest you be wearied and faint in 
 your minds." 
 
 Great need will you have daily to ''consider 
 Him " — Christ, your great Exemplar. For 
 inasmuch as you follow Him in His labor of love, 
 you must be a follower of His patience. The 
 secret of your strength will be, that you look not 
 to the world, — which cannot fully take in the 
 tenor of your mission — not even to those for 
 whom you labor, for they cannot comprehend 
 your work of disinterested love — but to the 
 Blessed Jesus, from whom you receive the spirit 
 to work in your calling, whose example you 
 must follow, and whose cross you must bear. 
 
 You cannot be all that you would, but you 
 may so live as to win the commendation, which 
 the Lord gave to one of old, " S/ie hath done what 
 she could r And, remember, to your great and 
 
At Home, and Abroad. 203 
 
 endless comfort, that God rewardeth us not only 
 for what we do, but for what we purpose and try- 
 to do. 
 
 These things, if you will earnestly consider, — 
 calling daily upon God for help — you will be 
 strengthened to do your work, and finally receive 
 the joyful benediction, ''Well done, good and 
 faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy 
 
 Lord." 
 
 If (Address to all the Deaconesses present.) 
 
 " See that you love each other with pure hearts, 
 fervently." Yield a ready obedience to those 
 who are over you in the Lord. With one heart 
 and mind strive together for the good of those 
 committed to your care. Seek to emulate the 
 deeds of those holy women, who helped the 
 Holy Apostles in their ministry to the poor and 
 needy. 
 
 Love not self, — love God. " Seek first the 
 
 kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all 
 
 things needful shall be added unto you." Which 
 
 may God grant unto you, for His dear Son's sake. 
 
 IT Let us pray. 
 
 Almighty God, the giver of all good things — 
 who of Thy great goodness dost vouchsafe to 
 
204 Sisterhoods and. Deaconesses 
 
 accept the services of these Thy servants in Thy 
 Holy Church, make .them, we beseech Thee, O 
 Lord, to be modest, humble and constant in their 
 ministration ; to have a ready will in observing 
 all spiritual discipline ; that they, having always 
 the testimony of a good conscience, and continu- 
 ing ever stable and strong in Thy Son Christ, 
 may so well behave themselves in this inferior 
 ministry to the suffering upon earth, that they 
 may be found worthy to reign with Thee in thy 
 Heavenly Kingdom, through the same, thy Son, 
 Jesus Christ, our most Blessed Lord and Saviour, 
 to whom be glory and honor, world without 
 end. Amen, 
 
 BENEDICTION. 
 
 " God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy 
 Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you ! The 
 Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon 
 you ! The Lord prosper the work of His hand 
 upon you. May goodness and mercy follow you 
 all the days of your life, and may you dwell in 
 the House of the Lord forever. Amen. 
 
 ir Thenfolloweth the celebration of the Holy Chmmunion, 
 
At Home and Abroad. 205 
 
 5. 
 
 THE Sisterhood of St. Mary was organized 
 February second, the Feast of the Purification, 
 1865. At that time five Sisters were admitted 
 to profession, by the Bishop of the Diocese, the 
 service being held in St. Michael's Church, 
 Bloomingdale. 
 
 They took charge of the House of Mercy in 
 September, 1863, a year and a half before their 
 formal organization, and still have the care of 
 that Institution. In October, 1864, at the request 
 of the Rev. Dr. Peters, they undertook the 
 opening of a Home for children, since known as 
 the Sheltering Arms, and carried on the work 
 until March, 1870, when they resigned it to other 
 hands. 
 
 In June, 1865 they took charge of St. Barnabas 
 House, Mulberry-street, and for two years, until 
 June, 1867, had the care of that charity. 
 
 In 1868 they opened the boarding and day 
 
2o6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 school for young ladies now located at No 8 East 
 Forty-sixth street, and known as St. Mary's 
 School. This school numbers at present one 
 hundred and twenty-five pupils. In the autumn 
 of 1870 they started St. Mary's Hospital for 
 Children, 206 West Fortieth-street. 
 
 The Sisterhood has lost two of its members by 
 death, and now numbers twenty-two Sisters, two 
 Postulants, two Associate Sisters, and twenty- 
 four Associates. 
 
 The object sought in the formation of this 
 Sisterhood was to secure the means of a com- 
 plete, unreserved, and life-long dedication of the 
 whole being to the service of Almighty God, 
 through ministration to the poor, the needy, and 
 the ignorant, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and to the glory of his Holy Name. At first a 
 scheme somewhat general in character was 
 adopted ; the movement was regarded as experi- 
 mental and tentative ; the idea was to learn by 
 degrees, and to make rules and regulations as 
 they should be needed. It was thought that, in 
 this country, and under our peculiar circumstances, 
 it is safer to feel the way and be taught by 
 
At Home and Abroad. 207 
 
 experience, than to begin with a rigid system 
 which might retard or prevent growth. 
 
 Of the mechanism intended to secure the great 
 object sought by the Sisters, there is Httle to be 
 said, save that it is simple, elastic, and practical ; 
 not stiff, complicated, or theoretic. No one 
 under eighteen years of age can be admitted to 
 probation. No one under twenty-five years of 
 age can be admitted to profession. A term of 
 probation of at least two years, is required in 
 every case : it is generally longer, often very 
 much longer. The government is constitutional ; 
 the constitution is a written law ; and the 
 supreme power is in the Chapter, which includes 
 all the professed Sisters. The Superior is elected 
 by the Chapter ; they also elect other officers, as 
 well as a Board of Trustees, to manage their 
 business affairs wherever outside aid from business 
 men is needed. 
 
 The Sisterhood was at first incorporated under 
 the general act for the incorporation of charitable 
 and religious societies : it subsequently obtained 
 from the Legislature an amended charter with 
 enlarged powers. Under this amended act it is 
 able to hold so much real and personal estate as 
 
2o8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 will probably be necessary for the realization of 
 its charitable designs. 
 
 To the private devotional life of the members, 
 great attention is given ; yet always with refer- 
 ence to the active works of mercy to which they 
 are especially pledged. No vows are required ; 
 it is not thought that they could add weight to 
 the solemn purpose with which each Sister devotes 
 herself to the work. Yet if any one desires to 
 express in terms that purpose, more formally 
 th^n she does at the time of her final reception 
 as a professed Sister, she is not denied so simple 
 a privilege ; it is regarded as within the limits of 
 a Christian woman's liberty. 
 
 The Sisters are scattered about in several 
 institutions. Each house occupied by them in 
 their work is under the charge of one of the 
 professed Sisters, who has with her such assist- 
 ants as may be necessary. 
 
 In conclusion, he by whom these brief mem- 
 oranda are furnished, would add, that the Sisters, 
 in their growth thus far, have had very little 
 assistance from the rich of this world ; they have 
 had in their numbers not one person of wealth ; 
 the foundation has been laid in humility and faith. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 209 
 
 Not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, 
 not many noble are called, as it seems, to such a 
 life. They have in their hearts the kindliest 
 feeling towards all who desire to serve the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, in organized labor for His poor. 
 There are various ways of doing this ; we cannot 
 surely tell which is best. What must be right is 
 to lay aside thoughts of strife and contention ; 
 to wish each other well ; to pray for each other's 
 success ; and conscientiously to do what seems 
 to us right, leaving results to God, the judge of 
 all. 
 
 The Sisterhood seek no publicity ; they only 
 wish to serve the Lord in quietude ; they inter- 
 fere with no one's work, having more than 
 enough to do in minding their own. If God be 
 pleased to prosper them, it is well ; if not, it shall 
 still be well. 
 
 14 
 
210 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 • 6. 
 
 §i;slj0p fatter "^tmaxml ^aus^.* 
 
 On the grounds of the Episcopal Hospital^ cor- 
 Iter of Front-street and Lehigh- avenue^ Phila- 
 delphia, Pa. 
 
 Phtlabelphia, December, 1871. 
 
 To THE Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Friend— Your request for a 
 sketch of the origin and workings of the Bishop 
 Potter Memorial House, our successful Diocesan 
 Training School for Women Helpers, cannot be 
 refused by one who had the great privilege and 
 incalculable advantage of being an intimate co- 
 worker with your revered father during the 
 twenty years of his episcopate. 
 
 It may be interesting and instructive to con- 
 sider briefly some of the preparatorv work which 
 led to the foundation of the Institution. 
 
 Twelve years since, just after the memorable 
 
 * This institution is under the control of the Kt. Eev. W. B. 
 Stevens, D.D., as Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. 
 
At Home and Abroad, 211 
 
 Convention at Richmond, when a Committee of 
 one layman from each Diocese was appointed to 
 stir up the zeal of their brethren of the laity, 
 Bishop Potter, at my instance, as a member 
 of that Committee, convened the rectors of our 
 city parishes and their prominent laymen, for 
 conference on the best means of incorporating 
 the more neglected classes into the Church. 
 Conference after conference revealed the fact 
 that our Theological and Parochial systems were 
 running in grooves too deeply worn to be turned 
 either to the right hand or the left for aggressive 
 Parish work, until its feasibility had been practi- 
 cally demonstrated. The effect of Missionary 
 work, independent of Parochial organizations, 
 had been fully tested during the troublous years 
 of 1857 and 1858, when public preaching, exhor- 
 tation and prayer in halls and in the streets were 
 common throughout our city. Although a large 
 amount of vital force was thus spent, yet, like 
 the too free use of bodily stimulants, the result 
 was far from satisfactory. 
 
 A work of another character was soon after 
 this inaugurated in a manufacturing suburb of 
 the city. Although few if any parochial minis- 
 
212 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ters had faith in the movement, yet Bishop 
 Potter's far-reaching mind enabled him rightly 
 to estimate its value. Impregnating the family 
 life of our long neglected and estranged people 
 with the germs of practical Christianity, carried 
 to their homes by intelligent, experienced and 
 sympathizing mothers and daughters, it seems to 
 strike at the root of a great social evil. We 
 watched over the movement with deep interest, 
 until it became apparent that through this 
 agency vital and practical Christianity could be 
 indefinitely extended, and a hitherto estranged 
 people drawn by the cords of love to Christ and 
 to His Church. In other parishes, district visit- 
 ors had often been sent into special localities to 
 lure people by the too free use of money or 
 clothing, to a Church which was not congenial 
 to independent working people, because the 
 pews were rented, and there was a lack of 
 Christian fellowship in the congregation. The 
 result in such cases had been disappointing, like 
 the attempt to insert new cloth into old gar- 
 ments. With the new experiment, there were 
 .no money-lures and no array of officers, the 
 Pastor merely selecting a judicious, intelligent 
 
At Home and Abroad. 213 
 
 and experienced matron to act under his obser- 
 vation, with liberty to select her associate 
 workers as needed. The basement rooms of the 
 Church were placed at her disposal, for social, 
 educational and industrial Mother's Meetings, 
 and for a free Sunday Service, which the Rector 
 established for the benefit of this hitherto es- 
 tranged people. 
 
 It was soon found that instead of the supposed 
 great gulf between independent working people 
 and the more cultivated and intelligent class, 
 houses and hearts were freely opened to sympa- 
 thizing visitors. People who had long neglected 
 public worship, were readily drawn, in their 
 working clothes, to a social Mothers' Meeting, 
 and then, after becoming thrifty, to the Sunday 
 service, by their visitors, who made them feel 
 that Christian fellowship and the Communion of 
 Saints were matters of fact as well as articles of 
 faith. It was a new revelation, that with most 
 working people, the Church seems so strange 
 and forbidding a place, or their adhesion to it so 
 weak, that even communicants, removing from 
 place to place, rarely go to another Church until 
 sought out and welcomed. 
 
214 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 This experiment was not an individual enter- 
 prise, to end when its projector became enfeebled, 
 but it was thoroughly incorporated into the 
 Church's system and life. The movernent was 
 unobtrusive, quiet, orderly, prayerful, and 
 thoroughly churchly ; therefore its growth was 
 steady in summer and in winter, in war and in 
 peace, until its beneficial influence was acknow- 
 ledged by those who had been the most 
 skeptical. More than eight thousand visits were 
 annually made to five or six hundred houses, 
 and these inexpensive home influences fed the 
 Sunday-schools, Bible classes. Mothers' Meetings 
 and night schools with those who had not been 
 reached by any other instrumentality. 
 
 Bishop Potter continued to observe this ag- 
 gressive work ; and in a letter to me under date 
 of March 3rd, 1861, said : 
 
 ''There is much temporal relief to the poor, 
 which alienates them from pastoral oversight, and 
 leaves them a prey, at their own homes or haunts, 
 to improvidence, vice, and irreligion. I value 
 the efforts making in your parish, because they 
 demonstrate the great value of house-to-house 
 
At Home and Abroad. 215 
 
 visitation ; because they show the power of judi- 
 cious Christian kindness in drawing people of 
 every age away from idleness and sin to the 
 Lord's House ; because they tend to strengthen 
 the tie that binds husband and wife, parents and 
 children ; because they exhibit the Church at 
 its appropriate work of ministering at once to the 
 bodies, the minds, the social requirements, and 
 the spiritual need of the people ; and because 
 they show that, by engaging in such works, 
 Christians add greatly to their own enjoyment 
 and improvement. The growth, too, of a true 
 feeling of brotherhood among all the members of 
 our fold, as it respects one another, and of a 
 clearer perception of their duty to all sorts and 
 conditions of men, may be anticipated as an 
 inevitable consequence. Above all, do I value 
 the spirit of prayer which preceded and attends 
 these efforts, and which will prove the best 
 security for their continuance and their efficiency." 
 
 To test still further this experiment, or rather 
 to demonstrate its feasibility under other and 
 still more adverse circumstances. Bishop Potter 
 authorized the use of the Chapel of the Episcopal 
 
2i6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Hospital and its basement rooms for a similar 
 effort to reach the homes of working people, and 
 to draw their inmates Christward and Church- 
 ward. The experiment having been thoroughly 
 successful in a Hospital Chapel, without a vestry, 
 and with a Chaplain whose time is almost entirely 
 consumed in the work of the institution, and with 
 non-resident workers, in a field in which the 
 Episcopal Church had never found congenial soil, 
 the practicability of the system has surely been 
 fully demonstrated. The success of the Hospital 
 Mission was more rapid than that at Frankford, 
 because experimental errors could be avoided 
 and advantage taken of the valuable experience 
 already gained. Inquiries from every quarter 
 were made for minute directions as to the way in 
 which similar work could be commenced and 
 carried on successfully. In many cases like 
 efforts were unsuccessful through lack of women 
 trained to give out heart-power, and to work 
 under authority and in harmony with the Church's 
 system. The Bishop Potter Memorial House 
 was established to supply this pressing need, and 
 to perpetuate and extend at home and abroad 
 the valuable experiences of women who solved 
 
At Home and Abroad. 217 
 
 the great problem of our Church by incorporating 
 into her membership all sorts and conditions of 
 men. 
 
 The following extracts from the address of the 
 writer at the official opening of the Bishop Potter 
 Memorial House, show how deeply the revered 
 Bishop, whose name it bears, was impressed with 
 the importance of the work already accomplished, 
 and how anxious he was to have other zealous 
 women trained for a like work, and their services 
 organized in accordance with the principles of 
 the Church. 
 
 '* This Institution springs from suggestions 
 made in 1862 to the Convention of the Church in 
 his diocese by the Bishop whose name it bears. 
 In that address Bishop Potter said : ' There are 
 many women of education, refinement and earnest 
 piety who yearn for a sphere in which they can 
 work for God and for the afflicted. There are 
 those whose characters and whose enjoyments 
 would be vastly improved by such occupation. 
 Everywhere, but especially among the suffering 
 and hardened of o^ir sex, does woman carry the 
 sunshine of patience and of hope. In proportion 
 as she has lofty Christian aims, and the delicacy 
 
2i8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 which comes of refined associations, she is better 
 qualified to command respect and inspire affec- 
 tion ; and, in proportion as she possesses the 
 experience and the ready resource which spring 
 generally from nothing but training, will her 
 agency be permanent and useful. We have, it 
 seems to me, but to weigh considerations like 
 these ; we have but to remember what a vast 
 amount of talent and hearty zeal among women 
 waits to be employed ; we have but to contrast 
 the homes of our poor in sickness, and too often, 
 alas ! in health ; our prisons, our asylums, our 
 reformatories, our almshouses, our hospitals, as 
 they are^ with what they might be^ if pervaded 
 with a higher feminine and religious influence^ 
 and we shall perceive that nothing but organiza- 
 tion and a wise directing spirit is needed to 
 achieve this mighty and beneficent revolution." 
 
 At a later period, the Bishop addressed to the 
 writer the following letter : 
 
 "Philadelphia, May 3, 1864. 
 " My Dear Sir : I need hardly say that the 
 opinions which I have formerly expressed in re- 
 gard to the unemployed agency of Christian 
 
At Home and Abroad. 219 
 
 women, and which I developed at some length 
 in the Convention address in 1862, are more than 
 confirmed by our experience. In parishes, in our 
 Church hospital, and in more than one army 
 hospital in this city, that agency has been em- 
 ployed with a skill and persistency, with a con- 
 stant reference to spiritual edification and a 
 whole-hearted consecration on the part of refined 
 and highly-endowed ladies, which fills me with 
 admiration and with hope. In one hospital, within 
 eight months, I have confirmed some fot'ty sol- 
 diers, the fruit mainly of the agency of two or 
 three godly women. In another, where inmates 
 from civil life of the humblest character are 
 welcomed, I have seen a pervading seriousness 
 and a general turning to religious instruction 
 largely due to a like influence. 
 
 *' In more than one parish, and especially in 
 one with which y^ow are connected, I have seen 
 godless men and reckless youth who had with- 
 stood all others, yielding to the silent and perse- 
 vering efforts of ladies-, and demonstrating how 
 much can be done among the most forlorn of our 
 peop'le through their agency. It is teaching us 
 more and more the necessity of individualizing 
 
220 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 our appeals, of making them with all kindness 
 and constancy, and of coupling them with fervent 
 and believing prayer. 
 
 '' ' Properly trained, this agency of Woman 
 would be most benign in all our public institu- 
 tions — in our prisons, almshouses, reformatories, 
 and asylums for the sick and afflicted of every 
 name. God bless the noble women who have 
 given themselves to the work ! The Lord make 
 his face to shine upon efforts to extend and 
 systematize it ; and the Good Spirit rouse our 
 sex — too slow to engage in such works — to 
 emulate the example. 
 
 '' Yours, faithfully, 
 '' Alonzo Potter. 
 
 "To Mr. Wm. Welsh." 
 
 In a few months after the utterance of the 
 prayer, that the Lord would make his face to 
 shine upon efforts to extend and systematize the 
 work of Christian women. Bishop Potter became 
 enfeebled by sickness, and in little more than a 
 year he ' finished his course.' This sad blow 
 having been followed by the sickness and neces- 
 sary absence of Bishop Stephens, there was, for a 
 
At Home and Abroad. 221 
 
 season, little heart for the active extension of 
 this work ; but, as the invisible rays of the sun 
 convey the intensest heat, so, whilst this inscru- 
 table Providence was disheartening 7nan^ the 
 Holy Spirit was the more actively vivifying this 
 seed that the revered Bishop had planted in faith. 
 The accredited representative of Bishop Stevens 
 in this department was at length constrained to 
 apply to the Board of Managers of the Hospital 
 for the use of the adjacent mansion-house as a 
 home for ministering women, that their number 
 might be increased without disarranging the 
 management of the Hospital, and that they 
 might be trained more systematically, their 
 services organized more thoroughly, and their 
 sphere of operations extended.. 
 
 The Board promptly granted the request, 
 and the House will be opened in two or three 
 months, under the direction and control of the 
 Bishop of the Diocese. All the clerical members 
 of the Committee of the Convention on organiz- 
 ing the services of Christian women, being 
 Managers of the Hospital, the Institution will 
 also be under their observation. The connection of 
 the undersigned with this department of Church- 
 
222 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 work was not of his own seeking ; it began 
 at Bishop Potter's solicitation, and has continued 
 because Bishop Stephens desired to be thus 
 represented. It is not designed to make this 
 institution solely, or even mainly, diocesan, but 
 auxiliary to all the missionary organizations of 
 the Church. 
 
 The wards of the Hospital, its dispensary, its 
 successful mission to the working people in its vi- 
 cinity, and the aggresive operations in the neigh- 
 boring parishes will, under the guidance of trained 
 workers, afford invaluable schools of instruction 
 and practice for women who are willing to serve, 
 either separately or unitedly, in church institu- 
 tions or in missionary fields. A small band of 
 women, now in the missionary department of the 
 hospital, are successfully reaching the independ- 
 ent journeymen mechanics, manufacturers and 
 laborers, with their families ; and it is specially 
 important that this branch of woman's work 
 should be extended throughout our whole land, 
 as it is with this class that the Church has 
 hitherto signally failed, both in England and 
 this country. 
 
 This practical training will also aid the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 223 
 
 Foreign Missions of the Church ; for surely it is 
 important to educate the powers of women, 
 and to test them in winning souls here^ where all 
 the appliances and surroundings are favorable to 
 Christianity, before they are sent to heathen 
 lands. It is known that in Asia, millions of 
 women, living in the deepest degradation and in 
 the grossest superstition, can only be approached 
 by missionaries of their own sex ; and although 
 many are predisposed to receive the only religion 
 that ennobles women, yet the Church has been 
 slow to stir up the holy zeal of her daughters, 
 and to prepare them for a mission to their 
 heathen sisters. 
 
 Mrs. Jackson, of Milwaukee, the widow of the 
 Rev. William Jackson, of Louisville, Ky., is to be 
 the Lady Principal of the institution, subject to 
 the direction and control of the Bishop ; and under 
 her charge will be placed as many suitably 
 qualified volunteers as can be procured, accommo- 
 dated, and supported, without expense to the 
 hospital. These will be trained in teaching and 
 in charitable work, under the direction of the 
 Principal and such helpers as she may call to her 
 assistance. At the expiration of six months 
 
224 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 they can leave the institution, or re-enter, to 
 prepare, according to their aptitude or taste, for 
 some special service in the foreign or domestic 
 fields, or for nursing in the hospital or else- 
 where. 
 
 More commodious buildings will in due time 
 be erected near the hospital, if intelligent and 
 zealous women freely offer their services ; and 
 then bands of missionaries, of teachers, and of 
 nurses will no doubt be organized, and look .to 
 the "Potter Memorial House" as their home. 
 Whilst it is in a formative condition, it would be 
 unwise to adopt the plans and rules of any 
 European institution, especially such as do not 
 harmonize with the spirit of the American 
 Church ; but no vow of celibacy will be allowed, 
 nor without the written approval of the Bishop 
 and of the Board of Managers of the hospital, 
 will there be any pledge of service beyond a very 
 limited time. A large experience proves that 
 ladies, who are modestly doing the Church's 
 work, are not only free from insult, but are reve- 
 renced everywhere ; therefore, a distinctive dress 
 is, in this country, an open question. Indeed, in 
 woman's great mission to the laboring class, the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 225 
 
 most successful workers think that it would be a 
 hindrance." 
 
 After nearly five years of successful working, it 
 has not been found necessary to modify the origi- 
 nal fundamental principles of the institution. A 
 distinctive dress is still an open question, but 
 there is a disposition to adopt some badge as a 
 bond of union between the workers, as well as for 
 other reasons, provided there are no marked 
 peculiarities in the attire. The following circular 
 will afford detailed information of the principles 
 of the institution. 
 
 INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO EN- 
 TER THE HOUSE. 
 
 Any earnest communicant of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church, who desires to enter the 
 Memorial House, can write to Mrs. William 
 Jackson, 2649 North Front-street, Philadelphia, 
 
 giving RESIDENCE, AGE, PHYSICAL CONDITION, 
 REASONS FOR WISHING TO JOIN THE COMMU- 
 NITY, the names of her RECTOR and OTHERS who 
 may have precise knowledge of her adaptation 
 for such a position. If the applicant is deemed 
 suitable, she will be received, and may remain 
 15 
 
226 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 six months as a probationer in either one of the 
 departments, if she is adapted to the work ; at 
 the expiration of that time, her special line 
 of duty will be determined. 
 
 The services of the members are gratuitous. 
 They will have their board and lodging free 
 of expense when it is necessary ; but, as the House 
 is supported by free-will offerings, it is hoped that 
 each member will contribute according to her 
 ability ; if she can afford it, the full amount of 
 the cost of her board will be expected, especially 
 during the six probationary months. All such 
 arrangements are confidential with the Principal, 
 as all the members fare alike, and work to the 
 extent of their ability in designated spheres. 
 
 The House is not intended as an asylum for 
 the homeless or world-weary ; but as a house- 
 hold of fresh, loving hearts, strong in all their 
 powers to ** serve the Lord with gladness." 
 
 The work is at present divided into three 
 departments — NURSING, MISSION WORK, and PA- 
 RISH SCHOOLS. 
 
 The members of this House comprise two 
 classes — Probationers and Full Members. 
 
 The Probationers are those under training for 
 
At Home and Abroad. 227 
 
 full membership ; they must not be ordinarily 
 under twenty-five, or over forty years of age. 
 
 The term of probation is never less than 
 six months, but twelve months is strongly 
 recommended. The term of engagement for full 
 members is not less than one, nor more than 
 three years. At the expiration of which time it 
 may be renewed, if desired. 
 
 A schedule of work and of the time to be 
 devoted to it is given, and all are required strictly 
 to conform to it. 
 
 There is an allotted time daily for recreation, 
 likewise an afternoon of every week ; and, during 
 the summer, a vacation of four weeks is allowed 
 to Full Members. 
 
 The visits of friends can only be received 
 in unoccupied hours. 
 
 A Divine blessing continues to descend upon 
 the Memorial House, just as evidently as of old on 
 Aaron's rod. Ministering women at every stage 
 of progress, like the threefold witness of bud and 
 flower and fruit, cluster around the parent stock, 
 and show that in the Christian Church, God 
 
228 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 has openly accepted woman's higher ministries. 
 The rapidly growing demand for the services of 
 trained Christian women to lead in aggressive 
 parish work, witnesses that the Church views 
 their mission as divine. Few are naturally gifted 
 with the suggestive and executive powers needed 
 for the higher forms of aggressive work, therefore 
 it is usually an acquired art. Few women have 
 the experience, tact and perseverance needed in 
 training their self-distrustful sisters, and the 
 clergy seldom have the leisure or the qualifica- 
 tions required to interest, direct, and oversee 
 beginners in their experimental training. Few 
 parishes have all the Gospel appliances thoroughly 
 systematized and headed by successful exemplars 
 and accomplished teachers. By the good pro- 
 vidence of God, the Memorial House is in this 
 respect most highly favored ; and the influences 
 of its spiritual atmosphere and of its encouraging 
 surroundings, so needful to inspire the timid with 
 hope, are thoroughly appreciated by the mem- 
 bers of that household. 
 
 All who have continued in the Memorial 
 House for a twelvemonth, have with greater or 
 less facility acquired the Divine art of winning 
 
At Home and Abroad. 229 
 
 souls to Christ. Women who were disheartened 
 at the awkwardness of their first attempts, have 
 by persevering efforts accomphshed so much, that 
 other self-distrustful beginners are encouraged 
 by witnessing their ultimate success. They learn 
 how to apply Christian sympathy, acts of kind- 
 ness, words of encouragement, sacred music, 
 Bible reading and prayer to individual cases. It 
 often seems more like fable than like fact, when 
 the mother tells of the watchful care over her 
 sick children, or of the son or daughter drawn 
 from the verge of ruin, or of her own rescue from 
 the fearful condition of a backslider, by one who 
 came in Christ's name and wrought for His sake 
 only. Men who have been thus sought out in 
 home, or workshop, or hospital, and savingly 
 interested in their spiritual welfare, usually 
 manifest the deepest interest in these heaven- 
 sent messengers. 
 
 The Rev. George Washburn, of Constantino- 
 ple, a zealous and intelligent missionary of the 
 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
 Missions, visited the Memorial House. He ex- 
 amined carefully the Protestant training-houses 
 and Sisterhoods, in France, Germany, and Eng- 
 
230 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 land, and having a practical knowledge of the 
 successes of the Deaconesses of Kaiserswerth 
 when serving in foreign fields, he had deliberately 
 formed an ideal of the training and organization 
 needed by American women to give them full 
 efficiency, either as missionaries from house to 
 house, as teachers, or as dispensary and hospital 
 nurses in foreign lands. Mr. Washburn ''was 
 much pleased to find, from minute inquiry and 
 personal inspection, that his ideal had already 
 been embodied, and was working successfully at 
 the Bishop Potter Memorial House, where 
 cultivated Christian women are trained by 
 experts to work in these three departments in 
 schools of practice ; and that here, as at Kaisers- 
 werth, the primary object in each department is 
 to win the soul to Christ." 
 
 The Very Rev. Dean Howson, very lately 
 expressed an equally favorable opinion, after a 
 personal examination of the Institution. 
 
 Since the opening of the Memorial House thirty 
 ladies have been received as Probationers ; three 
 of these were sent by the Foreign Committee of 
 the Board of Missions to be specially trained and 
 tested before going to heathen lands ; and two 
 
At Home and Abroad. 231 
 
 belonging to other communions, were admitted to 
 acquire experience in Christian work. There are 
 now seven Full Sisters, and four Probationers. All 
 who have been connected with the institution have 
 evidently increased in Christian usefulness ; and 
 having learned to work under authority and in 
 harmony with others, their efficiency is likely to 
 increase still farther. There are also seven 
 Associate Sisters, who, though not trained in 
 the Institution, pray and work to further its great 
 aim. Some of these form the council of advice, 
 and others are the teachers and trainers of their 
 less experienced Sisters. 
 
 One of the women sent by the Foreign Com- 
 mittee for special training at the Memorial House 
 is connected with the African Mission ; one of 
 the Sisters is at the Santce Indian Mission in 
 Nebraska, under the Rev. S. D. Hinman ; another 
 is at the Yankton Indian Mission, working under 
 direction of the Rev. J. W. Cook. One was sent 
 to inaugurate a parish of working people, and 
 although a Church has been built and Is doing 
 efficient service, yet she cannot leave there until 
 her co-workers have sufficient training and 
 experience to carry on the house-to-house visit- 
 
232 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ing, mothers' meetings, &c. Two others have 
 successfully begun a similar work in a destitute 
 region about two miles from the Memorial House. 
 There is an almost daily demand for trained 
 Christian women, which cannot be supplied 
 without unduly decreasing the force required for 
 the adjacent Hospital and Mission, and for train- 
 ing probationers. 
 
 The supineness of the Church in this Diocese 
 and elsewhere, in regard to the trained and 
 organized services of Christian women, is still so 
 great as to need special efforts to make the 
 members of our Communion intelligently con- 
 scious of the value of the Bishop Potter Memorial 
 House and similar institutions. 
 
 The admirable report to the Board of Missions, 
 prepared and read by you, will, I feel sure, aid in 
 arousing the Church to the importance of urging 
 her daughters to prepare for the great work to 
 which they are now providentially called. 
 
 Yours, sincerely, 
 
 Wm. Welsh. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 233 
 
 7. 
 
 §0rk. 
 
 THE Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd was 
 organized at St. Ann's Church, New York, on 
 the second Tuesday after Easter, 1869, by the 
 Right Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese. At the 
 time of the organization the Sisterhood consisted 
 of three Sisters then received, three Visitors, and 
 one Associate. Since then one Sister has died. 
 At present there are two full Sisters, eleven 
 Associates, and four Visitors connected with the 
 Sisterhood. 
 
 The work of the Sisterhood of the Good Shep- 
 herd is the care of St. Barnabas House, New 
 York, a refuge for destitute girls and women, 
 which also includes a Day Nursery, and a shelter 
 for neglected children. In addition to this, the 
 Sisters extend their labors to the poor of their 
 neighborhood, and to Bellevue Hospital, and the 
 hospitals on Ward's Island, where their teachings 
 
234 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 and ministrations include both Germans and 
 English. 
 
 The following are the Principles of Organiza- 
 tion adopted by the Sisterhood : 
 
 1. This Association shall be called '* The Sister- 
 hood of the Good Shepherd in the City and 
 Diocese of New York." 
 
 2. Its object shall be to minister to the poor, 
 the sick, the homeless, and the outcast, and to 
 care for little children. 
 
 3. The Sisterhood shall be under the control 
 of the Bishop of the Diocese, who shall be its 
 head, and appoint its pastor. 
 
 4. The Sisterhood shall embrace five classes. 
 Sisters, Assistants, Probationers, Visitors, and 
 Associates, over all of whom the Presiding Sister 
 shall have control. 
 
 The Associates shall be those who, residing in 
 their own families, are able to give only a portion 
 of their time each week or year to the work. 
 They are expected to offer daily the prayer for 
 the Sisterhood furnished to them. 
 
 The Visitors shall be those who wish to be- 
 come Probationers, or those who desire to give 
 
At Home and Abroad. 235 
 
 themselves to the work for a certain time resid- 
 ing with the Sisters during this time. 
 
 The Probationers shall be those who having 
 passed six months as Visitors, and then desiring 
 to give themselves wholly to the work, and 
 being approved by the Presiding Sister, shall 
 assume the dress, and be received by the 
 Pastor. 
 
 The Assistants shall be those who wish to 
 devote themselves to work for Christ, but whose 
 lives here have been so ordered that they are 
 not fitted for the position of a full Sister. They 
 shall be Probationers two years, and then, if 
 approved by the Presiding Sister, and the Pastor, 
 shall be received by the Pastor and take the 
 name of Sister. 
 
 The Sisters shall be those, who having passed 
 a probation of two years, and still desiring to 
 give themselves wholly to the work, and being 
 approved by the Presiding Sister, Pastor, and 
 Bishop, shall then be received by the Bishop, and 
 be known as Sisters. 
 
 5. Whenever the ** Sisters' Fund" will permit, 
 each Sister shall receive the sum of $150 each 
 year, for personal expenses. Each Assistant 
 
236 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 shall receive the sum of $100 each year for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 The Presiding Sister shall be allowed discre- 
 tion as to the support of the other classes, when 
 necessary. 
 
 6. No rule shall be made by the Presiding 
 Sister without the approval of the Pastor and 
 Bishop. 
 
 If a majority of Sisters object to any rule, they 
 may appeal to the Bishop, who shall annul it if 
 he thinks best. 
 
 7. The Presiding Sister shall arrange all the 
 work, but no new work shall be undertaken 
 without the approval of the Pastor and Bishop. 
 
 8. The head of each House shall have the 
 direction and control of the work, and of those 
 engaged in it, subject only to the control of 
 the Presiding Sister. 
 
 9. The Presiding Sister shall see that each 
 worker has a month each year for recreation. 
 
 10. Family ties being of the most sacred obli- 
 gation, any Sister may leave the work of the 
 Sisterhood at any time that family duties require 
 it. In such case, if she desires to continue 
 a Sister, she may do so, with the consent of the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 237 
 
 » 
 
 Presiding Sister and Pastor, returning to the 
 work of the Sisterhood when Providence permits. 
 But while attending to duties in, or for her 
 family, she shall not receive the Sisters' support. 
 
 11. A Sister wishing to withdraw from the 
 Sisterhood, shall give written notice thereof, with 
 the reasons, to the Presiding Sister, who shall 
 give this notice, with her own judgment in the 
 case, also in writing, to the Bishop. The 
 Bishop's formal sanction shall be an honorable 
 discnarge from the Sisterhood. 
 
 But that due provision may be made for the 
 work in which she has been engaged, such with- 
 drawal shall not take place in less than two 
 months after the notice has been given, unless 
 by special consent of the Presiding Sister. 
 
 12. An Assistant may withdraw in the same 
 manner, the Pastor taking the place of the 
 Bishop. 
 
 13. A Probationer may withdraw at anytime 
 by giving due notice to the Presiding Sister and 
 the Pastor. 
 
 14. With the consent of the Pastor, the Pre- 
 siding Sister may, for cause, request a Probationer 
 to withdraw at any time. 
 
238 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 15. Probationers must not be over forty nor 
 under twenty-one years of age, without the 
 special consent of the Presiding Sister. 
 
 16. Regulations respecting dress, and the 
 social ordering of the household, shall, for the 
 present, be left entirely to the Presiding Sister, 
 and shall not be embraced within the permanent 
 rule, under a year's trial. 
 
 17. In case of the death or resignation of the 
 Presiding Sister, the Sisters, after receiving the 
 Holy Communion at the hands of their Pastor, 
 shall give in their votes, for not less than two 
 and not more than three names, from which the 
 Bishop, or in case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, 
 the Pastor, shall choose one who shall be Pre- 
 siding Sister. 
 
 Until this appointment has been made, the 
 Sister first in order of reception shall discharge 
 the duties of the Presiding Sister. 
 
 Application for admission to the Sisterhood 
 may be made to Sister Ellen, St. Barnabas 
 House, No 304 Mulberry Street, or to the Pastor, 
 the Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, No. 9 West Eight- 
 eenth Street, New York City. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 239 
 
 8. 
 
 SisttrIjO0ir oi St. |0ljiT. 
 
 IN CONNECTION WITH ST. JOHN'S PARISH, WASH- 
 INGTON, D.C. 
 
 THIS Sisterhood was organized by the Rector 
 of St. John's Church, Washington, the Rev. 
 John Vaughan Lewis, A.M., in December, 1867. 
 At the outset a body of Associate Sisters was 
 formed, and as fast as any among these have 
 proved themselves quaUfied for increased respon- 
 sibihties, they have been advanced to the rank 
 of full Sisters. The Order has been devoted to 
 works of mercy among children, the sick, and the 
 destitute, which have been conducted with in- 
 creasing and signal success. 
 
 The following are the Statutes, Rules of the 
 Community, and Rules of the Associates : 
 
 STATUTES. 
 
 I. 
 I. There shall be three Orders of Sisters, to 
 which any unmarried women or widows, being 
 communicants of the Church, shall be eligible, as 
 hereinafter provided. 
 
240 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 2. These Orders shall be respectively known 
 as Sisters, Probationers, and Associates ; and 
 the first two shall constitute a Community, to 
 which the Order of Associates shall be auxiliary. 
 
 II. 
 
 It is hereby declared that no work of Charity, 
 Mercy, or Benevolence, approved as such by "the 
 Pastor, is foreign to the objects of this Sisterhood, 
 or any of its Orders. 
 
 III. 
 
 The government of the Sisterhood shall be 
 vested in the Rector of St. John's Parish, as 
 Pastor, except as hereinafter provided and lim- 
 ited. 
 
 lY. 
 
 The administration of the Community shall be 
 committed to one of the Order of Sisters, or, if 
 there be no Sisters, of Probationers, who shall be 
 called the Superior, and whose duty it shall be to 
 see that the rules are faithfully obeyed by all the 
 Community. 
 
 V. 
 
 The Superior shall be appointed by the Pastor ; 
 but if his appointment be not accepted by vote 
 of the Community within five days, then he shall 
 
At Hqme and Abroad. 241 
 
 appoint another in like manner. But if the 
 second appointment be not accepted within five 
 days, then the Pastor shall appoint absolutely. 
 VI. 
 
 1. All votes of the Community shall be taken 
 in a Meeting in Chapter, of which each member 
 has been duly warned. 
 
 2. It shall be competent for the Chapter to 
 vote upon nominations to office, new statutes and 
 rules, and admission to membership ; and an 
 unanimous vote only shall confirm and accept. 
 
 VII. 
 
 1. The Sisters shall promise conformity to all 
 the rules of the Order. 
 
 2. They shall engage with the Order for a term 
 of not less than one year, and not more than 
 three years. 
 
 3. They may renew their engagements, with 
 the consent of the Order. 
 
 4. They shall be entitled to receive at least 
 one hundred dollars annually from the common 
 fund of the Community, for their personal ex- 
 penses and private charities. 
 
 5. They shall wear a uniform garb, not singular 
 nor conspicuous. 
 
 16 
 
242 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 6. They may withdraw, for cause, from the 
 Sisterhood, upon giving two months' notice to 
 the Pastor, and obtaining his consent and re- 
 lease. 
 
 7. They shall have served at least one year as 
 Probationers before they shall be eligible as Sis- 
 ters. 
 
 8. They must be at least twenty-one years of 
 age before applying for admission, and must pro- 
 duce the written consent of their parents or 
 guardians, unless they have attained the age of 
 thirty-five years. 
 
 9. They shall be wholly supported out of the 
 common fund of the Community. 
 
 ID. In case of sickness or disability, they shall 
 be entitled to the care and support of the Com- 
 munity during such disability, notwithstanding 
 the expiration of their term of service. 
 VIII. 
 
 1. The Probationers shall comprise all pos- 
 tulants for admission to the Order of Sisters. 
 
 2. They shall conform to all the rules of the 
 Community. 
 
 3. They shall be at least twenty years of age. 
 
 4. They shall be entitled to the same allow- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 243 
 
 ance and support as the Sisters, but shall not 
 become a charge upon the Community in case of 
 sickness or disability. 
 
 5. They may withdraw at any time, on giving 
 one week's notice to the pastor. 
 
 6. They shall each be placed under the guardi- 
 anship and instruction of one of the Sisters, to be 
 fitted for the departments they are expected to 
 occupy. 
 
 IX. 
 
 1. The Superior shall hold. office three years, 
 unless sooner relieved by the Pastor. 
 
 2. She shall have the custody of the common 
 fund of the Community, and shall render an 
 account of the same, monthly, to the Pastor. 
 
 3. She shall advise with the Chapter and with 
 the Pastor on all questions of finance involving 
 more than twenty dollars ; but the decision of 
 such questions shall rest absolutely with herself 
 
 4. She shall faithfully warn the weak and 
 encourage the desponding ; and the sick and 
 afflicted ones of the Community shall be her 
 especial charge. 
 
 5. She shall avoid all partiality and favoritism 
 m the discharge of her duties. 
 
244 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 6. She shall assign to each Sister and Proba- 
 tioner her daily duty ; and having assigned any 
 member to the oversight of a particular depart- 
 ment, shall not remove her, except at the request 
 of the member herself, or with the advice and 
 consent of the Pastor. 
 
 7. She shall be held responsible to the Pastor 
 for all the doings of the Community. 
 
 8. She shall observe a special season of daily 
 prayer for herself and the community. 
 
 X. 
 The Common Fund of the Community shall 
 consist of all alms which any member or other 
 person may bestow upon the Community ; of all 
 bequests and legacies to the Sisterhood not 
 specifically designated by the advisors ; and of 
 all fees and remunerations received by any 
 member in recognition of her services as a 
 member of this Community, or in recompense of 
 the same. 
 
 XI. 
 
 I. The Associates shall consist of all such per- 
 sons as are eligible under Statute I., who are 
 willing to pledge themselves to one hour of daily 
 work auxiliary to the objects of the Sisterhood. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 245 
 
 2. They shall be received into the Order for a 
 term of not less than one month, and not more 
 than one year (being eighteen years of age, and 
 having received the consent of their parents or 
 lawful guardians), after an unanimous election by 
 the Order. 
 
 3. They shall promise conformity to all the 
 rules of the Order, and sign their names to the 
 same in the presence of the Order. 
 
 4. They shall be governed by a separate code 
 of rules, which shall be administered by one of 
 their own number appointed by the Pastor and 
 approved by a vote of the Order, and who shall 
 be styled Associate Superior. 
 
 5. They may be re-elected at the expiration of 
 their term of service. 
 
 6. They may be released from their engage- 
 ment to the Order, {a) upon marriage, ipso facto ; 
 {[?) upon just and reasonable cause, with the 
 consent of the Pastor ; {c) upon dismissal for a 
 flagrant breach of pledge. But no dismissal shall, 
 in any case, be made known to any but the 
 Pastor, the Associate Superior, and the Associate 
 dismissed ; and the power of dismissal shall be 
 vested in the Pastor. 
 
246 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 XII. 
 
 1, The Pastor, with the advice and consent of 
 the Bishop of the Diocese, may, from time to 
 time, propose new statutes and rules to the 
 Sisterhood. 
 
 2. No new statute or rule shall be adopted, or 
 have any force, until it has received the unani- 
 mous consent of the Orders affected by its pro- 
 visions, attested by subscription thereto ; but 
 when so adopted, it shall have all the force of the 
 original statutes or rules. 
 
 XIII. 
 Nothing in these statutes or rules shall be con- 
 strued so as to conflict with the authority of those 
 to whom the Associates severally owe natural 
 obedience. 
 
 RULES OF THE COMMUNITY. 
 
 RULE I. 
 
 Every Sister, on being received into the Order, 
 shall make this solemn promise and pledge: 
 
 ''In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, 
 and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I (A. B.) having 
 
At Home and Abroad. 247 
 
 been duly released from obligation to those to 
 whom my natural obedience is due {or, being full 
 thirty-five years of age), do freely, and of my own 
 mind, make this pledge and agreement : to re- 
 nounce and put away the world, its secular busi- 
 ness and engagements, that I may the more 
 humbly and entirely serve Christ Jesus my Lord 
 in the fellowship and obedience of this Order of 
 Sisters oFthe Sisterhood of St. John, to which I 
 now seek admission. 
 
 " And I do promise and engage that I will 
 conform to and abide by the Statutes and Rules 
 of this Sisterhood, so far as they relate to my 
 Order, or my office therein, without murmuring 
 or remonstrance. 
 
 " And I do further promise and engage that, 
 in all my work for Christ in this my Order, I will 
 obey the directions of the Superior cheerfully and 
 to the best of my ability, and that I will not seek 
 to be released from this my engagement before 
 the expiration of my term of service, without 
 urgent necessity, and special prayer for guidance. 
 
 " And I do further promise and agree that I 
 will never ask or seek from any person any other 
 recompense or recognition, by reward, of my ser- 
 
248 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 vices than that which is now, or may hereafter, 
 be allowed me by the Statutes and Rules of the 
 Sisterhood ; and that, should any such recom- 
 pense, fee or payment be offered me, I will re- 
 ceive it only in the name of the Sisterhood, and 
 for the common fund of the Community. 
 
 '' And I do further promise and agree that I 
 will cultivate peace, love, and good-will toward 
 all the members of this Sisterhood, and that I 
 will never willingly go to my rest at night with- 
 out seeking reconciliation with any of them 
 whom I may have offended, or who may have of- 
 fended me. 
 
 ''To all of which I bind myself, with a full in- 
 tention and purpose of soul to keep and perform 
 the same, the Lord being my helper, that I may 
 be the handmaid of Christ, in the midst of an evil 
 world ; and in this mind I offer myself for com- 
 munion in the Holy Sacrament of the Body and 
 Blood of Christ, in testimony to my Lord, and 
 to you, my Sisters, that I have chosen the Lord 
 to serve Him." 
 
 H Here shall follow a celebration of the Holy Commurdon, in which 
 the whole Community shall, if possible, receive. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 249 
 
 RULE II. 
 
 The Probationers shall make the following 
 pledge : 
 
 IT The pledge of a Sister being read to the Candidate, she shall make 
 answer and say : 
 
 "■ I desire to make trial of my faith and love by- 
 doing as these Sisters do, and learning by their 
 faith and love, with all fidelity of soul, under their 
 
 counsel and guidance, for the space of • 
 
 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
 of the Holy Ghost. Amen." 
 
 If And each Probationer shall subscribe her name to the Sister's 
 pledge, in witness of this her profession. 
 
 RULE III. 
 The Superior, upon being inducted into office, 
 shall make this pledge : 
 
 '*I (A. B.), being duly appointed Superior of 
 the Sisterhood of St. John, do promise and en- 
 p-ag-e that I will be instant in prayer, that the 
 power of Christ may rest upon me, and His grace 
 enable me for my office. And I pray you, my 
 Pastor, and you, my Sisters, lend me your aid, that 
 I may keep this pledge unblemished and unim- 
 
250 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 paired, to the glory of Christ, and the benefit of 
 this Community, and of the whole Sisterhood of 
 St. John. In the Name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." 
 RULE IV. • 
 
 Every Sister and every Probationer shall, as far 
 as possible, have a specific duty assigned to her, 
 for which she shall be responsible. Any com- 
 plaint concerning the performance of that duty 
 must be made to her. And only in case of 
 alleged neglect of such complaint by her may it 
 be carrhsd to the Superior. 
 
 RULE V. 
 
 The Superior is bound to notice and reprove 
 any neglect or deficiency in any department, 
 directly with the Sister in charge of such depart- 
 ment. 
 
 She shall not take action upon any complaint 
 without notifying the Sister concerned ; nor shall 
 she address any censure or reproof to any Sister 
 in the presence of any third person. But advice 
 and orders concerning the discharge of duty shall 
 never be taken as implying censure. 
 RULE VI. 
 
 Any Sister or Probationer may appeal from the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 251 
 
 censure of the Superior to the Pastor ; but such 
 appeal must be made at the first opportunity, 
 with the least possible delay. 
 RULE VII. 
 In all censures, the Superior shall study gen- 
 tleness, and the Sisters meekness ; and each 
 shall admonish the other to the observance of 
 
 this rule. 
 
 RULE VIII. 
 
 No grievance or complaint shall be discussed 
 by the Sisters and Probationers in conversation ; 
 but every member of the Community shall dili- 
 gently endeavor to conceal her knowledge of 
 misunderstandings and difficulties. 
 RULE IX. 
 
 The Community shall observe three hours of 
 prayer, besides the services in the Parish Church. 
 The hours shall be fixed by the Superior, and 
 shall only be changed in case of urgent necessity. 
 But, in case of clashing between the hours of the 
 Community and the hours of the Parish Church, 
 the latter shall take precedence. 
 RULE X. 
 
 All the members of the Community who are 
 not absolutely prevented by other duties, or by 
 
252 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 sickness, shall attend the services of the Sister- 
 hood, in the private Oratory, and also the services 
 in the Parish Church. 
 
 RULE XI. 
 
 The Pastor shall appoint the form of Prayer to 
 be used in the Oratory, and also a short form to 
 be used by those whose duties forbid their atten- 
 dance at the Oratory, that all may unite in wor- 
 ship at the appointed hours. 
 
 RULE XII. 
 
 The Sisters and Probationers shall assemble in 
 Chapter, every evening, immediately before the 
 third hour of prayer, for mutual consultation and 
 encouragement. Bnt no votes shall be taken at 
 such meetings, except the said meeting shall 
 have been duly warned as provided in the 
 Statutes. 
 
 RULES OF THE ASSOCIATES. 
 
 I. One hour of every day shall be devoted unto 
 the Lord, in the fellowship of the Sisterhood of 
 St. John, and in the obedience of this Order. 
 The same shall be observed day by day without 
 intermission or interruption, except through sick- 
 
At Home and Abroad 253 
 
 ness or other controlling necessity, and hours 
 thus lost shall be redeemed on days following, as 
 rapidly as possible. 
 
 2. The Associate Superior shall assign and 
 appoint to each Associate her duty and work for 
 the consecrated hour, with due regard to the 
 abilities and circumstances of each, and every 
 Associate shall do that which is appointed her 
 without murmuring or remonstrance. 
 
 3. The Associates, while engaged in the out- 
 door work of the Sisterhood, shall wear a plain 
 garb, not uniform and not singular. 
 
 4. The Associates shall pay no dues or fines of 
 any sort for the maintenance of their Order or 
 the furtherance of its work. But all contributions 
 to the Order shall be offered, without name, at 
 the Offertory in the Holy Communion. 
 
 5. Any Associate who earns her bread by daily 
 labor may, at her own request, be assigned to 
 duty in her regular vocation for the benefit of the 
 Order, she consecrating one twenty-fourth part 
 of her daily earnings to the common fund of the 
 Order. 
 
 6. The Associate Superior shall have the 
 custody of the common fund of the Order, and 
 
254 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 shall administer the same at her sole discretion, 
 accounting therefor monthly to the Pastor. 
 
 7. The common fund shall consist of all offer- 
 ings of the Associates and of others, offered as 
 specified in Rule 4, and of all the earnings of the 
 Associates during the consecrated hour. 
 
 8. The Associate Superior shall never make 
 known to any person whatsoever, except to the 
 Pastor, the amount contributed by any donor to 
 the objects of the Order. 
 
 9. The Associates shall earnestly cultivate 
 peace, love, and good-will, one towards another, 
 and never wilfully suffer a misunderstanding or 
 difference to go unreconciled, so that the sun 
 should go down upon their wrath. 
 
 10. Any Associate who has no work assigned 
 her, may select her own work for the day, or may 
 devote the hour for that day to special acts and 
 exercises of devotion in behalf of the Order, and 
 the whole Sisterhood, either in public or private 
 worship. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 255 
 
 9. 
 
 ^mtommtB %^Botxixixon oi tlj^ ^waBit oi 
 
 THE following extract from the annual Ad- 
 dress of the Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., 
 Bishop of Long- Island, at the Convention of that 
 Diocese held in 1872, will explain the origin of 
 the body of Deaconesses at present engaged in 
 the service of the Church in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 DEACONESSES. 
 *' At our last Convention, I called attention 
 somewhat at length to the importance of early 
 action upon the subject of '' The Organized Work 
 of Christian Women " in this Diocese. The Con- 
 vention promptly seconded my recommendation 
 and appointed a Special Committee to consider 
 and report upon it to thisConvention. Meanwhile, 
 there has been a remarkable and unlooked for 
 advance in the feeling and opinion of the whole 
 Church in regard to this matter. It assumed a 
 very prominent place among the topics discussed 
 at the late General Convention by the Board of 
 
256 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Missions then assembled. It was also warmly 
 advocated in the Pastoral Letter of the House of 
 Bishops. So far as could be discovered, it re- 
 ceived the cordial and unanimous approval of all 
 the members of the General Convention and of 
 the Board of Missions. So far as the sentiment 
 of the Church was concerned, I felt that there 
 was no longer any reason for delaying action in 
 this Diocese. Evidently the time had come to 
 translate feeling into practice and opinion into 
 fact. With the full assurance, therefore, of the 
 active sympathy and public endorsement of this 
 Convention, and of every member of our Diocese, 
 I availed myself of the earliest opportunity 
 afforded me to carry the mind of the Church into 
 effect. Accordingly, on Quinquagesima Sunday, 
 February 11, in St. Mary's Church, Brooklyn, I 
 publicly admitted six godly and well-tried women 
 to the office of Deaconess ; and on the evening 
 of the 15th of March, in Emmanuel Church, 
 Brooklyn, one — in all seven. Of these, two are 
 employed in the Church Charity Foundation ; 
 (one having been appointed Deaconess in charge 
 of all the Branches of the Foundation); one has 
 charge of our Mission in the Public Institutions 
 
At Home and Abroad. 257 
 
 of the County, in Flatbush ; and four are engaged 
 in Parish work. The labors of these trained and 
 authorized women have already been richly 
 blessed. The work they are doing to-day suffi- 
 ciently vindicates the wisdom of the action which 
 has been taken. Their presence in our Houses of 
 Mercy and in our Hospitals is a power already 
 thankfully recognized. It will introduce into 
 their management the order, efficiency and loving 
 spirit, without which such Institutions, however 
 liberal their support and ample their means of 
 doing good, attain only half their influence and 
 usefulness. As their numbers increase and their 
 discipline is perfected, these skilled and devoted 
 women v/ill be ready to respond to the calls of 
 sickness, death and affliction in our private 
 homes, coming to us not only as messengers of 
 mercy, but as trained and experienced helpers 
 for Christ's sake in the days of our sorrow and 
 trial. 
 
 *' The Parish Clergy, who have welcomed them 
 to their side as fellow-workers among the poor, 
 the fallen, and the suffering of every name, bear 
 grateful testimony to the value of their unobtru- 
 sive, obedient and systematic service." 
 
258 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 DEACONESSES OF THE DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAm 
 
 Definition. — A Deaconess is a woman set apart by a Bishop^ 
 under that title, for service in the Church. 
 
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 
 
 1. No Deaconess shall officially accept or re- 
 sign work in this Diocese without the express 
 authority of the Bishop, which authority may at 
 any time be withdrawn, 
 
 2. A Deaconess shall be free to resign her 
 commission as Deaconess after six months' no- 
 tice to the Bishop, or she may be deprived of it 
 at any time by the Bishop. 
 
 3. A Deaconess, if engaged in a parish, shall 
 work under the direction and supervision of the 
 Incumbent of that parish, and shall report 
 through him to the Bishop every three months. 
 If engaged in any organized charity, or in any 
 mission of the Diocese, she shall work under the 
 direction and supervision of the Bishop, or of 
 such clergyman as the Bishop may appoint, and 
 shall report once in three months to the Bishop. 
 
 4. In every parish, or mission, or organized 
 charity of the Diocese employing a Deaconess, 
 there shall be, if possible, Associates, who may 
 
At Home and Abroad. 259 
 
 assist in the following ways, and in others, if 
 required : 
 
 (i.) To collect alms. 
 
 (2.) To procure work for the poor, and to pro- 
 mote its sale. 
 (3.) To teach in the Sunday or Parochial 
 
 Schools. 
 (4.) To help in the music or others classes. 
 (5.) To relieve the destitute and minister to 
 
 the sick, 
 (6.) To aid the Pastor in bringing forward and 
 preparing candidates for the Holy Baptism 
 and Confirmation. 
 (7.) To attend to funeral arrangements for the 
 
 poor. 
 5. Associates shall be appointed and removed 
 by the Bishop. If to be engaged in parish-work, 
 they must be nominated by the Rector or Minis- 
 ter under whom they are to labor. 
 
 R¥LES. 
 
 I. As it is needful that no one be admitted to 
 
 the office of Deaconess without careful previous 
 
 preparation, both technical and religious, every 
 
 one who shall have received the Bishop's consent 
 
26o Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 to her becoming a candidate for the diaconate 
 shall serve at least six months as a probationer. 
 
 2. No one shall be admitted as Deaconess 
 without giving proper assurance of her intention 
 to continue in this office for the space of three 
 years at least. 
 
 3. The Deaconess shall maintain her habit of 
 prayer and meditation, and shall aim at continuarl 
 progress hi Christian knowledge and life. To 
 this end there shall be stated meetings for joint 
 acts of prayer and worship, and, as often may be, 
 for the joint reception of the Holy Communion. 
 
 4. The dress of the Deaconess shall be uniform, 
 simple, and distinctive. 
 
 5. The ordinary official designation of a Dea- 
 coness shall be Sister A or B (using the 
 
 Christian name). The official signature shall be 
 (full Christian and surname) " A B , Dea- 
 coness." 
 
At Home and Abroad. 261 
 
 THE IJ^OEM OF ADMITTING DEACONESSES 
 TO THEIR OFFICE, 
 
 ACCOKDING TO THE USE OF THE DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAND. 
 
 ^ To the congregation, all standing : 
 
 Dearly Beloved in the Lord : 
 
 We are met together in the fear of God, and 
 trusting in His Holy Name, to receive and to 
 ratify the pledge of obedient and loving service 
 offered by these our Sisters, here present ; and, 
 under the invocation of the blessed Name of Him 
 whom they desire to serve, to admit them to the 
 office of Deaconess in the Church of God. 
 
 In their several places they purpose to serve 
 their heavenly Lord and Master Jesus Christ in 
 the persons of His poor and sick and suffering 
 members. For His sake they seek the privilege 
 of living only to serve the widow and the orphan, 
 the sick and the destitute, the wretched and the 
 distressed. Under His blessing, and hy the con- 
 stituted authority of His Church, they desire to 
 follow those holy women who of old ministered 
 to the Lord in person, and those whom His 
 Apostles admitted to be helpers in the work, and 
 succorers of themselves and others. 
 
262 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 They are of " good report," as was required of 
 those first admitted to serve tables in the Church. 
 They have been diligent in prayer for the Holy 
 Spirit, and for the wisdom which is from above. 
 They hold, as we are persuaded, the mystery of 
 the faith in a pure conscience. In outward walk 
 and conversation they have been found sober and 
 faithful. Their skilfulness and devotion in the 
 service of the sick and poor, their docility and 
 orderly obedience to those set over them in the 
 Lord, have been duly tried. 
 
 Dear Sisters in the Lord : 
 
 We exhort you in the Name of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ that you have constantly in your remem- 
 brance into how high a dignity and charge you 
 are called ; even to be helpers of those who are 
 messengers and watchmen and stewards of the 
 Lord ; and to see that you never cease from your 
 labors, care, and dihgence, until you have done 
 all that in you lieth, according to your bounden 
 duty, to lift up the fallen, to instruct the ignorant, 
 to comfort the weary and heavy laden ; and to 
 bring them that are without into the fold of 
 Christ. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 263 
 
 But forasmuch as this office is of so great diffi- 
 culty, you see how watchfully and earnestly you 
 ought to apply yourselves thereto, that you may 
 fulfil the same and give no occasion to the enemy 
 to speak reproachfully. Howbeit you cannot 
 have a mind and will thereto of yourselves ; for 
 these are of God alone. You have need, there- 
 fore, to pray unceasingly for His Holy Spirit, to 
 be diligent in the reading of the Holy Scriptures, 
 to be well instructed in the ways of His Church, so 
 that you may become, in word and deed, patterns 
 of all womanly and Christian virtues. We are 
 assured that you have already, by God's grace, 
 determined to give yourselves wholly to the ser- 
 vice of the Lord, and especially to that office to 
 which you have been called, and that, forsaking 
 all worldly cares and studies, you will (so long as 
 God shall call you to this office) apply yourselves, 
 as far as may be, to this one thing. May you be 
 enriched with all spiritual gifts in Christ Jesus, 
 and through- them may you wax riper and stronger 
 in your office, and daily grow more and more into 
 the likeness of those blessed daughters of the 
 Church who labored much in the Lord. 
 
264 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 IT Then shall the Bishop say : 
 
 The Lord be with you. 
 
 t The people kned. 
 
 Our Father, &c. 
 
 Bishop. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with 
 Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy 
 continual help, that in all our works, begun, con- 
 tinued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy 
 Holy Name, and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain 
 everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 Ame7t. 
 
 Lord, we pray Thee that Thy grace may always 
 prevent and follow us, and make us continually 
 to be given to all good works ; through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. — {Collect for Seventh 
 Sunday after Trinity?) 
 
 Almighty and everlasting God, by whose 
 Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed 
 and sanctified ; receive our supplications and. 
 prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estatesi 
 of men in Thy holy Church, that every member] 
 of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may 
 truly and godly serve Thee ; through our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amett. — {Second Col- 
 lect for Good Friday.) 
 
At Home and Abroad. 265 
 
 O Almighty God, Who didst call Phoebe and 
 Dorcas, and other holy women to be servants of 
 Thy Church, and didst enable them to succour 
 Thine Apostles, and others also ; behold these 
 Thy servants who have given themselves to a 
 like ministration. So replenish them with all 
 Christian graces, and adorn them with innocency 
 of life, that, by their labors and good examples, 
 they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of 
 Thy Name, and the benefit of Thy holy Church ; 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 O Lord our heavenly Father, we beseech Thee 
 mercifully to receive our prayers on behalf of 
 these Thy servants. Make them to be modest, 
 humble, and constant in their ministrations, that 
 they may always have the testimony of a good 
 conscience. Grant unto them, we pray Thee, 
 such measures of Thy grace as they may from 
 time to time need, that they may both perceive 
 and know what things they ought to do, and also 
 may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the 
 same ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 IT Thm shall the Priest appointed thereto present unto the Bishop 
 the persons to be admiiied to the Office of Deaconess, saying : 
 
266 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Reverend Father in God^ I present unto you 
 these persons to be admitted Deaconesses. 
 
 Bishop. Have the persons whom you present 
 unto us been found meet, both for skill in wom- 
 anly ministrations, and for godly life and conver- 
 sation, to exercise this office ? 
 ■ Answer. I think them so to be. 
 •H Th^n shall the Bishop say : 
 
 It is the duty of a Deaconess to minister to the 
 poor, the sick, and the ignorant, and in all 
 humility and godly submission, setting aside all 
 unwomanly usurpation of authority in the Church, 
 to help the ministers of God's Word and Sacra- 
 ments. 
 
 Will you do this diligently and lovingly ? 
 
 Answer. I will, by the help of God. 
 
 Bishop. Will you be obedient to them who are 
 set over you in the Lord, cheerfully and faith*- 
 fully performing the service that shall be ap- 
 pointed to you } 
 
 Answer. I will, by the help of God. 
 
 Bishop. Inasmuch as this Office is not to be 
 lightly undertaken or relinquished, is it your 
 present purpose to continue in it for the space of 
 three years, at the least .-* 
 
At Home and Abroad. 267 
 
 Anszuer. I purpose to do so, by the help of God. 
 
 Bishop. Inasmuch as you desire to be admitted 
 to the office of Deaconess, will you faithfully 
 observe such rules as the Bishop may prescribe ; 
 and be ready to give yourself willingly and 
 thoroughly to any work which may be appointed 
 to you, as long as you remain in this office ? 
 
 Anszver. I will do so, by the help of God. 
 
 Bishop. Almighty God, Who has called you 
 to serve Him in this holy life, give you the power 
 to fulfil this your service acceptably, through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 IT Thm shall the Bishop, taking each candidate by the right hand, 
 give her his blessing : 
 
 God the Father, God the Son, and God the 
 Holy Ghost bless, preserve, and sanctify thee : 
 and so fill thee with all faith, wisdom, charity 
 and humility, that thou mayest serve before 
 Him, to the glory, of His great Name and the 
 benefit of His holy Church, and in the end at- 
 tain to everlasting life, through the merits 
 and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ. Amen. 
 
 I admit thee, dearly beloved, to the office of 
 
268 SiSTERHO-ODS AND DEACONESSES 
 
 Deaconess, in the Name of the Father, and of 
 the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 ir Afhv which, all kneeliig : 
 Bishop. Our help is in the Name of the Lord. 
 Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth. 
 Bishop. O Lord, bless Thine handmaidens. 
 Anszver. And let them find grace in Thy sight. 
 Bishop. Make them a clean heart, O Lord. 
 Anszver. i\nd renew a right spirit within them. 
 Bishop. Give them fulness of joy in Thy pre- 
 sence. 
 Anszver. And the peace which passeth all un- 
 derstanding. 
 Bishop. Give Thine angels charge over them. 
 Anszver. That the enemy may not approach to 
 
 hurt them. 
 Bishop. Keep them in the way of Thy com- 
 mandments. 
 Anszver. That they may persevere unto the 
 
 end and be saved. 
 Bishop. O Lord, hear our prayer. 
 Anszver. And let our cry come unto Thee. 
 Bishop. Eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, Creator both of man and woman. Who 
 didst replenish Miriam and Deborah and Anna 
 
At Home and Abroad. 269 
 
 and Huldah with Thy Spirit, Who didst not 
 disdain that Thy only begotten Son should be 
 born of a woman ; look now Thyself on these 
 Thine handmaidens here set apart for the office 
 of Deaconess ; give unto them Thy Holy 
 Spirit, cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh 
 and spirit, that they may worthily accomplish 
 the work now committed unto them, to the 
 glory of Thy Name, through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
 Bishop. The peace of God, &c. 
 
 HYMN. 
 
 How blessed, from tlie bonds of care 
 
 And earthly fetters free, 
 In singleness of heart and aim, 
 
 Thy servants, Lord, to be ! 
 The hardest toil to undertake. 
 
 With joy at Thy command. 
 The meanest office to receive 
 
 With meekness, at Thy hand ! 
 
 With willing heart and longing eyes, 
 
 To watch before Thy gate, 
 Beady to run the weary race. 
 
 To bear the heavy weight ; 
 No voice of thunder to expect, 
 
 But follow calm and still. 
 For love can easily divine 
 
 The One Beloved's will. 
 
2/0 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 Thus may we serve Thee, gracious Lord ! 
 
 Thus ever Thine alono, 
 Our souls aad bodies given to Thee, 
 
 The purchase Thou hast won. 
 Through evil or through good report, 
 
 Still keeping by Thy side, 
 By life or death, in this poor flesh 
 
 Let Christ be magnified ! 
 
 How happily the working days 
 
 In this dear service fly ! 
 How rapidly the closing hour, 
 
 The time of rest draws nigh ! 
 When all the faithful gather home, 
 
 A joyful company ; 
 And ever where the Master is, 
 
 Shall His own servants be. 
 
 Amen. 
 
PART SECOND. 
 
 SISTEEHOODS AE^D DEACOE"- 
 ESSES ABEOAD. 
 
 THE organization of women into associations 
 for Christian service in the Church of England 
 and among the Reformed communions of the 
 continent of Europe, dates back nearly a quarter 
 of a century. In Germany and France, where 
 these associations are very numerous, the Chris- 
 tian women, organized under their Rules, have 
 ordinarily borne the name of Deaconesses ; while 
 in the Church of England, though there are 
 Associations of Deaconesses, as in London and 
 Liverpool, organizations of women have thus far 
 more generally taken the form of Sisterhoods. 
 The following pages contain a brief account of 
 some of the better known of these Associations 
 in England and on the continent. They are 
 chosen from among many others, simply because 
 
 (271) 
 
2/2 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 they may be accepted as types of the various In- 
 stitutions abroad, in which godly women, widely 
 differing often in their personal views, but 
 actuated by a common desire to dedicate them- 
 selves to the service of Christ, have been suc- 
 cessfully associated. 
 
 It is not generally known that beside the 
 Institutions organized at Kaiserswerth, in Prussia, 
 there are many others scattered in France, 
 Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden, all of which 
 follow, more or less closely, the model furnished 
 in the admirable organization of Fliedner. Among 
 these, that organized by the French Evangelical 
 Communion in Paris, in 1842, that begun at Echal- 
 lens in Switzerland, in 1843, (now removed to St. 
 Loup near Lausanne,) and those at Zurich, Stras- 
 burg, Utrecht, and in Sweden, have been signally 
 useful and successful. 
 
 In England there are, at present, between 
 thirty and forty Sisterhoods, the more prominent 
 of which are the Sisterhood of St. John the Bap- 
 tist, at Clewer, (an account of which will be found 
 in the following pages,) and the Sisterhood of St. 
 Margaret, at East Grinstead. There are branch 
 houses of this latter Sisterhood at London, Aber- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 273 
 
 deen, Wigan, and Frome-Selwood, where day and 
 night schools, guilds, and other useful works of 
 charity are conducted by the Sisters. 
 
 As already intimated, organizations of Deacon- 
 esses in the Church of England have been thus 
 far less numerous than the societies known as 
 Sisterhoods. There are, h'owever, vigorous and 
 successful associations of Deaconesses in London, 
 Salisbury, Chester, Ely, Bedford and Liverpool. 
 An account of the Mildmay Deaconesses' Home 
 will be found included in this volume. 
 
274 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 1. 
 
 CLEWER, ENGLAND.* 
 Founded a.d. 1849. 
 
 Visitor: The Lobd Bishop of Oxpoed. 
 Warden: The Eev. T. T. Caktee, M.A. 
 
 THIS House is the parent House of the Sister- 
 hood of St John Baptist, under whose care 
 the various works mentioned below, in addition 
 to the Penitentiary, are being carried on. The 
 House is able to accommodate about eighty 
 penitents. 
 
 Besides the full Sisters, a second Order was 
 formed, A.D. i860, of ladies unable to devote 
 themselves wholly to community life, constrained 
 to limit their residence in the house or one of its 
 branch establishments to a certain number of 
 months in the year. They live under the same 
 rule as the regular Sisters while resident with 
 
 *The account of Clewer herewith given, is compiled from 
 (a) The Kalcnder of the Church of England ; (b) An Essay on 
 Sisterhoods, by Mrs. Sarah B. Wister, together with other un- 
 published sources of information. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 275 
 
 them ; but, when absent, they are free to conform 
 themselves to the habits of their own homes. 
 They form their engagements for three years, to 
 be renewed if desired. 
 
 Associates. — These are ladies living in their own 
 homes, and giving such assistance to the work as 
 their circumstances may permit. Their engage- 
 ments consist (a) in offering up prayer on behalf 
 of the House of Mercy ; (I?) in undertaking some 
 charge — as, e.^:, to collect alms, provide employ- 
 ment for the penitents, assist in the sale of their 
 work, or find situations in service for those who 
 may be recommended. The Associates are re- 
 membered in the prayers of the Community. 
 There are also male Associates under the same 
 rule, who are bound to different kinds of charitable 
 works^ suited to their state. 
 
 The works described below do not constitute 
 any charge upon the funds of the House of Mercy. 
 They are sustained by means entirely distinct, 
 for which others, who are immediately concerned 
 with them are responsible. 
 
2/6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ST. JOHN'S orphanage, CLEWER. 
 
 COMMENCED A.D. 1854. 
 
 This House has accommodation for twenty-five 
 orphan children and twenty industrial girls train- 
 ing for service. The orphans and industrial girls 
 are children, not of the fallen, but of respectable 
 parents. Terms — Children under 14 years of age, 
 12/. per annum ; the industrial class and those 
 training for teachers, 10/. per annum. The sum of 
 3/. is also required with each child when admitted 
 to provide her with clothing according to the 
 school regulations. 
 
 ST. ANDREWS CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, 
 CLEWER. 
 
 FOR INVAIilDS OP BOTH SEXES. 
 
 This Hospital is built to accommodate sixty 
 patients (twenty-four men, twenty women, and 
 sixteen children). Funds are needed to clear 
 the debt on the building account. Terms — 8.y. a- 
 week. 
 
 ST. ANDREW'S COTTAGE, CLEWER. 
 The Home has accommodation for nine ladies, 
 either recovering from sickness and requiring 
 
At Home and Abroad. 277 
 
 change of air and nourishing food, or those need- 
 ing rest from over-fatigue or sorrow. No one is 
 eligible who is or who has suffered from conta- 
 gious or mental disease, or who is not sufficiently 
 convalescent to be able to join the family at dinner. 
 The time of their stay varies from one week to 
 six weeks. The terms (payable weekly in ad- 
 vance) are lOs. a-week in the doubled-bedded 
 rooms, which are divided by curtains, 14^. in 
 single rooms, and there is one room at i/. These 
 payments include household medicine, and every- 
 thing except wine, washing, and bed-room fires. 
 
 ST. STEPHEN'S MISSION, CLEWER. 
 
 This Mission was opened in the year 1867. 
 The buildings consist of school-rooms and class- 
 rooms, and accommodation for Sisters and others 
 working with or under them. The chancel of 
 the Church is now built and opened for Service. 
 
 In addition to the above the Sisterhood con- 
 ducts a school for the children of clergymen and 
 professional men residing abroad, which is known 
 as St. John's School, Pimlico ; an Orphanage, 
 also in Pimlico, and St. John the Baptist Mission 
 in Soho, to which is attached a chaplain. Besides 
 
2/8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 the above they have under their care the follow- 
 ing institutions : In 
 
 BOYEY TEACY. 
 
 THE HOUSE OE MERCY FOR THE COUNTY OF 
 DEVON. 
 
 Established a.d. 1861. 
 
 This House is now completed, and capable of 
 receiving, if funds can be supplied, seventy-two 
 inmates. There are now fifty-eight, the present 
 funds not sufficing for the reception of more. 
 
 IN OXEOED. 
 
 FEMALE PENITENTIARY AND HOUSE OF RE- 
 FUGE. 
 
 Visitor: The Lokd Bishop of Oxpoed. 
 President : Thb "Yen. C. C. Cleeke, Abchdbacon of 
 
 OXFOBD. 
 
 Secretary: The Ebv. W. J. Tait, Wokobster Cohlegb. 
 
 This Society consists of the Visitor, President, 
 Secretary, Chaplain, a Committee composed of 
 nine clergymen and nine laymen, together with 
 the two Proctors of the University. The per- 
 sonal care of the penitents is in the hands of the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 279 
 
 Sisters of St. John the Baptist, working under the 
 guidance of the Chaplain. 
 
 There is a laundry and sewing-room in the 
 House, which are very beneficial to the Institu- 
 tion, as they supply employment and opportu- 
 nities of instruction in useful work, whilst the 
 profits of the laundry are by no means inconsid- 
 erable. 
 
 IN TOEQUAY, 
 
 St. Raphael's Convalescent Home. 
 
 Warden: The Eev. the Hon. 0. L. Couetenay. 
 
 This Home is for women of good character re- 
 covering from illness, and also for delicate persons 
 from any part of England, not incurably ill, but 
 needing sea air, medical care, and good nursing. 
 Ss. to 8s. weekly, or 30^-. monthly, to be paid in 
 advance with each patient. 
 
 It is now desired to add a chapel, and to 
 enlarge the building, so that nurses may be re- 
 ceived for training, and that it may be possible 
 to retain 3. few cases in which convalescence has 
 become hopeless. 
 
 The "SoHO House of Charity" is also 
 under the charge of the same Sisterhood. 
 
28p Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 The following account of the Sisterhood of St. 
 John Baptist, is from the pen of a recent American 
 visitor,^ and is the more valuable, because it is, 
 certainly, the account of one influenced by no 
 prejudice in favor of the Order : 
 
 "Among tlie numerous communities of women in England, 
 tliat of Clewer has been longest established, and is universally 
 spoken of as the most successful example of an Anglican Sis- 
 terhood : great praise is given to its hospitals and the nursing 
 o£ its Sisters, even by those who do not think well of the mode 
 of life. To Clewer, accordingly, I went, without prejudice or 
 prepossession, and entirely unprepared for the sort of thing I 
 found. The railway station is at Windsor, and as I was inquiring 
 the way of a porter, a figure in the dress of a nun passed me, 
 walking with the peculiar step, which every one who comes to 
 Europe soou learns to recognize as the conventual gait. I say, 
 in general terms, Hhe dress of a nun,' for it was black and 
 clinging ; there Was a deep cape, a long veil, a white cap, and a 
 crucifix : there may have been special buttons which dis- 
 tinguished it from a nun's dress, but that was the effect. 
 ♦There goes one of the Sisters,' said the porter. I ran after 
 her and asked her if she would show me the way to Clewer. 
 She turned a sweet, fresh, intelligent young face upon me, and 
 in a still sweeter voice assented. We walked along the dusty 
 road together for about a mile. The autumn sun was shining 
 with unusual brightness for England, but it was still early in the 
 day, and the air was chilly. I noticed that my companion's 
 hands — a lady's hands — were gloveless, and red and purple 
 from cold. Windsor straggles out on one side in detached 
 houses and cottages until it reaches the ugly and unpromising 
 village of Clewer. Hero my guide, who had been talking busily 
 about the institution, stopped and said that there was a 
 
 * Mrs. S. B. Wister. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 281 
 
 mission-school, if I would like to see it. It was a low, gabled 
 building, with some architectural pretension. As we turned in 
 at the gate she was greeted eagerly by a group of children in 
 the street. She spoke to them by name, and asked why they 
 were not at school. They gave their excuse, and the eldest 
 girl, looking at her with beaming eyes, exclaimed, ' Oh, Sister, 
 wont you go and see Agnes soon ? She do want to see you so 1' 
 The Sister smiled, blushed a little, looked down, and explained 
 carelessly that ' Agnes ' was a sick child ; but the little scene 
 spoke for itself. 
 
 " The school is a very well arranged building, sunny, clean, 
 and airy : the aspect of aU the rooms was bright and whole- 
 some. There are rooms for children of every age, also of every 
 condition, for after attempting to classify them only according 
 to years or learning, it has been found necessary to separate 
 them according to their station in life— a troublesome and com- 
 plicated division, but answering much better than the other. 
 This does not include the first two rooms, one a mere creche, 
 where toddhng things of two years old and under are kept out of 
 mischief, nor the infant school ; and naturally these comprise 
 only children of the lower orders. Above these grades there 
 are three distinct sets of classes, arranged according to the age, 
 station, and advancement of the pupils : and after a certain 
 period the girls and boys are separate. All these are taught by 
 members of the institution. Some of the children are inmates 
 of the house, especially older girls, who are being educated as 
 governesses : some of these were taking music-lessons. Every 
 possible advantage is given them. All the children looked 
 clean and tidy, even those who were almost in rags. My Sister 
 said that cleanliness is made a sine qua non with the parents ; 
 the rooms were all perfectly fresh and sweet; the children 
 looked happy, the teachers very happy. 
 
 "We left the school, and went on beyond the thickly-built 
 part of the village to where the houses stood sparsely again, 
 and presently came in sight of a group of handsome buildings 
 with a peculiar ecclesiastical stamp, difiicult to define, but im- 
 
282 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 possible to mistake. Tiiese were the hospital, for sixty 
 patients ; the home for indigent ladies, with accommodation for 
 nine ; the orphan asylum, for fifty ; and the house of mercy, 
 which will contain eighty 'Penitents,' besides the Sisters. The 
 scale of the work took me altogether by surprise. In addition 
 to these there are several branch establishments — a school, an 
 orphanage, a mission, and a house of charity in London, a 
 house of mercy and hospital in different i^arts of Devonshire, a 
 female penitentiary at Oxford, and a sanatorium and schools at 
 Folliestone. At the hospital my gentle guide left me, and I 
 was consigned to another Sister, a very striking person, with a 
 remarkable expression of power and restrained will in her face. 
 My interest in her was heightened by my knowledge that she 
 was a fellow-countrywoman, and that, though not much above 
 thirty, she had beed placed at the head of a cholera hospital in 
 London at the last outbreak. She showed me all over the hos- 
 pital, discoursing quietly but steadily the while abont the insti- 
 tution. I never saw so beautiful a hospital : its order and 
 convenience reminded me of some of our military hospitals 
 during the war. The brightness and taste of its arrangements 
 were like those of a special sick-room : these were effected by a 
 few flowers, engravings, and gay-colored table and bed-covers, 
 which, without in the least detracting from the air of cleanli- 
 ness—the first requisite in a sick-room — went far to modify the 
 ordinary hospital look, which is not cheerful. Kitchens, refec- 
 tories, wards, offices, all wore the same neat, orderly, home- 
 like aspect, and the halls and staircases are very handsome, and 
 of fine, large proportions. Every building of the establishment 
 is planned with due regard to future additions. All the nurses 
 and attendants wear the dress of the Sisterhood. 
 
 "We then went to the house of mercj-, the mother-house of 
 the society. Its object is to reclaim fallen women, who after a 
 certain residence, are successively called penitents and Magda- 
 lens— the latter only after having made a ' profession ' and re- 
 ceived ' consecration :' Sisters they never can become. Here 
 again, the utmost order and neatness reigned, and the desire 
 
A.T Home and Abroad 283 
 
 for embellishment was visrde in many engravings, photographs, 
 illuminated mottoes and monograms, which were all of a 
 religious character, and scarcely softened the monastic sim- 
 plicity and severity of the household arrangements. The 
 kitchen, laundries, refectories, dormitories, and private apa"rt- 
 ments of the Sisters— which are separate from those of their un- 
 fortunate inmates — were samples of system and order. The 
 chapel is very riph : they have succeeded in producing an 
 illusory effect of the real thing ; it is a complete specimen, too, 
 of the extreme complexity which pervades the whole establish- 
 ment. There is a seat for the Mother Superior, higher than 
 the rest ; there are separate places for the postulants, the novi- 
 ces, the full Sistors, the penitents, the Magdalens ; a gallery, 
 almost closed, for strangers, and another closely latticed, for — 
 ' most sad to say — lady peyiitents, women of good position, who are 
 mercifully allowed a greater share of seclusion when they seek 
 refuge and a place for repentance here. 
 
 ' ' I had no time to visit the orphanage or the home for inva- 
 lid ladies, but from their external asjject there could be no 
 do^ibt that the same order, propriety, taste, and wonderful 
 administrative power were paramount here. Among the 
 branch institutions are schools for training girls for service ; 
 missions- for district-visiting amo^ig the poor and sick ; conva- 
 lescent homes for needy women of good character who require 
 rest and change of air ; boardmg-schools for young ladies ; a 
 ought-school foj' tramps, in the worst part of Windsor. 
 
 " ' How do you approach such people ?' I exclaimed. ' How 
 can you hope to get the smallest hold upon them ?' 
 
 '"I hardly know,' was the reply : ' they como to the school 
 the night or two that they stop in the place, they seem 
 pleased that we feel interest enough in them to try and collect 
 them, and they often leave their children with us when they go 
 off.' Verily this is spiritual bread cast upon the waters. 
 
 "The Sisterhood is that of St. John the Baptist. There are 
 two orders of Sisters, the first order consisting of two classes : 
 the postulancy lasts six months, the novitiate two years for tho 
 
234 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 first class, four years for tlie second class ; after which the mem- 
 ber is in full fellowship and called a Confirzned Sister. The 
 second order consists of those unable to live entirely in the 
 community : while doing so they are subject to the same rules 
 as the other Sisters ; when in their own homes they are merely 
 expected, as far as possible, to conform their dress and mode 
 of life to their special profession. There are also Sister Asso- 
 ciates — single women not belonging to the community, or 
 members of either of the other orders, who .devote themselves 
 to live by the same rule as far as possible. Besides these are 
 the Associates— ladies living in their own homes and aiding 
 the Sisterhood by prayer, collecting arms, finding places for the 
 penitents and girls of the industrial schools, etc. No one is 
 admitted as a Sister unless a member of the Church of Eng- 
 land, or, if under thirty, without the consent of her parents. 
 Each Sister who is able is expected to contribute at least fifty 
 pounds (two hundred and fifty dollars) per annum toward the 
 maintenance of the house. The vows are taken for life — 
 obedience, poverty, and chastity. They are scrupulous to 
 spend as little money as possible : they travel third-class, and 
 never call a hackney-coach when it can be avoided. This, no 
 doubt, was also the secret of the ungloved hands on the cold 
 morning. Their obedience is implicit and unquestioning. 
 Although generally assigned to the work for which they have 
 been found most fit— teaching, nursing, visiting the poor, in- 
 fluencing the penitents, or exercising any special talent for the 
 use of the community — they may be sent any whither without a 
 moment's warning by the Mother Superior, and without any 
 idea when they may be recalled. 
 
 "The Sisters have entire freedom to correspond with, and re- 
 ceive visits from, their friends. There are also vacations — 
 more properly leaves of absence — at stated times, and for a 
 stated length of time, when they may go to them." 
 
 The following extracts from the Statutes of the 
 Clewer House of Mercy ^ will throw further light 
 
At Home and Abroad. 285 
 
 upon the government of the Sisterhood of St. John 
 the Baptist, and its relation to that Institution : 
 
 The object of tlie Institution, called the Clewer House of 
 Mercy, ig the reception and protection of women who have led 
 unchaste lives, with a view, by means of such reception and 
 protection, to their reformation and ultimate safe establishment, 
 either in some reputable calling by which to earn a livelihood, 
 or otherwise ; and such Institution shall consist of a Visitor, a 
 Warden, a Superior, Sisters, a Council, Trustees, and two 
 Treasurers. 
 
 The Bishop for the time being of the Diocese in which the said 
 Institution is situated, shall be the Visitor, if he will accept that 
 Office ; but if he shall refuse, then the Council shall elect such 
 person as they shall think fit, until there shall be a new Bishop 
 of the same Diocese, when the Office shall be offered by the 
 Council to such new Bishop ; and so, from time to time, such 
 Bishop for the time being of the said Diocese, or, in case of his 
 refusal, the person so elected by the Council as aforesaid, shall 
 be the Visitor for the time being. And such Visitor shall have 
 faU power and authority, as well upon his own mere motion as 
 upon appeal lodged, or complaint made, to do and order all 
 those things which appertain by law to the office of Visitor, or 
 which shall be hereinafter specially provided. 
 
 The Warden shall be a Clergyman of the Church of England 
 in priest's orders. 
 
 The Warden shall be appointed by the Council ; but if, on 
 the occasion of any vacaiicy, the Council shall not appoint a 
 new Warden before the expiration of six calendar months next 
 after the term at which such vacancy shall have happened, then 
 the appointment shall lapse to the Visitor. 
 
 The Warden shall not be removable from his office, except by 
 a vote of at least three-foxarths of such members of the Council 
 as shall be present at a meeting specially convened for the pur- 
 pose of taking into consideration the propriety of such re- 
 moval. 
 
286 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 The "Warden shall perform, or be responsible for the due per- 
 formance of, the religious services, and superintend the teach- 
 ing and spiritual discipline of the inmates. 
 
 The Warden shall have power, v<dth the approval of the 
 Council, from time to time to appoint a Sub-Warden, who shall 
 assist him in the performance of such of his duties as he may 
 assign to him, and such Sub-Warden shall, during every 
 vacancy in the office of Warden, perform the duties thereof. 
 
 The Sub- Warden shall be a Clergyman of the Church of 
 England in priest's orders. 
 
 The Warden and Sub-Warden, to qualify them for their 
 offices, must obtain the license of the Bishop of the Diocese, 
 and be subject to his authority as other Clergymen officiating 
 under his license. 
 
 The Sub-Warden may be dismissed by the Warden, or by a 
 vote of at least three-fourths of such Members of the Council as 
 shall be i)resent at a meeting specially convened for the purpose 
 of considering the propriety of such dismissal. 
 
 The Superior shall be a fully-admitted Sister, and shall be 
 appointed in manner hereinafter mentioned, and shall (subject 
 to the superintendence of the Warden) have the Government of 
 the Sisters and other inmates of the said Institution, and of the 
 household thereof. 
 
 On every vacancy of the office of Superior, the Warden shall 
 nominate in writing to the fully-admitted Sisters a successor ; 
 and if they shall, by a majority of votes, approve of the person 
 so nominated, such person shall then succeed to the office ; but 
 if such nomination shall not be so approved within twenty-one 
 day3, then the Warden shall in like manner nominate another 
 person for approval, and if such second nomination be not 
 approved of within one calendar month from the communica- 
 tion thereof to the Sisters, then the appointment shall lapse to 
 the Visitor. 
 
 Th.e Superior shall continue in office for the period of three 
 years, but may at the end of that period be re-appointed. 
 
 The Superior may be removed by the Visitor on complaint 
 
At Home and Abroad. 287 
 
 of tlie Council or Warden, but the Warden shall not lay such 
 compiaint before the Visitor until it shall have been previously 
 submitted at, and considered by, the Council. 
 
 The Warden and Superior may from time to time appoint any 
 fully-admitted Sister to be Assistant Superior for such period as 
 they shall think proper ; and during any vacancj'- in the ofl6.ce 
 of Superior, or during the absence or incapacity of the Superior 
 by reason of illness, such Assistant shall perform the duties of 
 that oflQce. And if on any such vacancy, absence, or incapacity, 
 there shall be no Assistant Superior, the senior Sister in order 
 of admission shall act as Superior for the time being. 
 
 The Assistant Superior may be removed by the Warden and 
 Superior. ' 
 
 The Sisters shall consist of t-wo classes, Sisters fally admitted 
 after probation, and Sisters Probationary, the term and nature 
 of probation to be settled in the Eegulat-ions hereinafter men- 
 tioned ; but the Warden and Superior (or the Warden alone, in 
 case of a vacancy in the office of Superior) shall be at liberty to 
 shorten the period of probation at his discretion in any particu- 
 lar case. 
 
 No person shall be admitted into the House as Sister Proba- 
 tionary unless a member of the Church of England, nor without 
 the written consent of her parents if Under the age of 30 
 years ; such admission to be made by the Warden and Superior, 
 except during a vacancy in the office of Superior, and then 
 such admission may be by the Warden alone. 
 
 Every Sis-ter shall have full and uncontrolled liberty, when- 
 ever she shall think fit, to leave the Institution. 
 
 Every Sister shall, upon admittance to probation, agree to be 
 bound by and observe all the Statutes and Regulations of the 
 Institution applicable to herself. 
 
 The Warden and Superior may, with the consent of the 
 majority of the Sisters fully admitted, make and vary such Eeg- 
 ulations for the internal management and discipline of the 
 Sisters as shall be consistent with the Statutes of the Institu- 
 
288 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 t'on, and be approved of by the Visitor, and such Eegulations 
 shall be accessible to all Members of the Council. 
 
 Penitents shall be admitted or discharged by the Warden and 
 Superior, provided that none shall be retained in the House 
 for a longer period than two years "without the consent of the 
 Council. 
 
 The numbers of the Sisters and Penitents shall be deter- 
 mined from time to time by the Council. 
 
 The Council shall consist of nine clergymen, and nine lay- 
 men in full communion with the Church of England, together 
 with the Warden, Sub-Warden (if any\ and Treasurers ; and 
 except in cases specially provided, four members shall form a 
 quorum. 
 
 Every vacancy in the Council shall be filled up by a majority 
 of the Members present at a meetmg thereof. 
 
 The expenditure of the Institution, and also the amount of 
 all salaries or wages paid to any of the officers, or servants, or 
 laborers thereof, shall be under the entire control and manage- 
 ment of the Council, but the hiring of menial servants or 
 laborers shall be by the Warden and Superior together. 
 
 The Council shall have power to appoint and remove a Secre- 
 tary and other officers. 
 
 The Council shall have power to make and vary by-laws for 
 the government of its own body, and of any Committee thereof. 
 
 All meetings of the Council shall commence and conclude 
 with prayer, and at each meeting of the Council, or of any 
 Committee thereof, the members present shall, before proceed- 
 ing to transact any other business, elect a Chairman of that 
 meeting, who shall have a second or casting vote in every case 
 of an equality of votes of the members present thereat. 
 
 Neither the Council nor any member thereof, simply as such, 
 shall have any power to interfere in the internal management, 
 regulations, or discipline of the House. But if at any time it 
 shall appear to any member that any proceedings in the House 
 or of any inmate thereof ought to be inquired into, he may, by 
 a requisition in writing, signed by himself and two other mem- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 289 
 
 bers of the Council, and stating the matter to be inquired 
 into, require the Secretarj'^ to call a Special Meeting of the 
 Council to take such matter into consideration, and the Secre- 
 tary shall thereupon forth ^vith call such Special Meeting at some 
 time, not being less than five days nor more than ten days from 
 the day on which such requisition shall be delivered to him. 
 And if it shall appear to a majority of the members assembled 
 at such meeting, that the matter requires further investigation, 
 their resolution shall forthwith be communicated to the Visitor, 
 who shall be requested to inquire into the matter with all con- 
 venient speed, and to communicate his judgment thereon ia 
 writing to the Council. 
 
 19 
 
290 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 3. 
 
 LONDON, ENGLAND. 
 
 THIS Institution was organized under the vicar 
 of the parish in which it is situated, in the 
 year i860. It had been a project earnestly- 
 thought of by its founders for many years, but 
 when at length their plans took form, it was upon 
 a very modest scale. Since then the institution 
 has grown, until between one hundred and fifty 
 and two hundred women have entered the Home 
 as candidates for various spheres of missionary 
 labor, and are to-day scattered through England, 
 Scotland and Ireland, and also in Syria, Africa, 
 China and India. 
 
 The organization of the institution is charac- 
 terized by great freedom and simplicity, and while 
 in its general spirit it follows the system originated 
 at Kaiserswerth ; its details are characterized by 
 marked elasticity and a happy facility of adapted- 
 ness to the work to which the Mildway Deacon- 
 esses have addressed themselves. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 291 
 
 The following sketch, compiled from a recent 
 volume,"^ edited by Mrs. Bayley, the author of 
 " Ragged Homes and How to Mend them," will 
 give an idea of the aims and workings of the 
 institution. 
 
 Says the writer : 
 
 ''Let me give a description of the first day after my arrival. 
 At half-past six o'clock a bell rang to awaken the household, 
 when each one was expected to rise at once, and to be in tlio 
 dining-room by a quarter to eight, when the bell again sounded 
 for morning prayers. All assembled as one large family, being 
 mindful of family regulations ; indeed, during the whole of my 
 stay there, I was struck with the general attention to punctuality, 
 and the aim of each member not to interfere vnth the ordinary 
 arrangements of the day. Little groups quickly formed them- 
 selves, and I overheard some of the conversation, in which I 
 could not fail to observe the thoughtful consideration and kind- 
 ness of the Sisters to each other. 
 
 " In a few minutes the Lady Superintendent entered, and 
 quietly took her seat at the head of the long dining-table, amid 
 the general morning salutation. I had no doubt, from the 
 moment I saw her, that she was beloved by every one there, 
 and I soon found that she was truly a mother to them all. Thej' 
 not only looked up to her as the guide and director of tha 
 establishment, but also sought her constantly as a private friend 
 and counsellor. All her plans, though very simple in their 
 character, were orderly, methodical, and regular, and tl^e 
 Sisters seemed to take a pleasure in fulfilling her wishes, and 
 doing all in their power to prove that the confidence placed 
 in them was not misjudged. 
 
 "After the morning chapter had been read, she looked round 
 
 * "The Ministry of Woman." By A. T. L., with an introduc- 
 tion by Mrs. Bayley. London : S. W. Partridge & Co. 
 
292 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 the room until her eye rested on one Sister, to whom she said, 
 'Will you pray this morning?' We all knelt down, and as 
 the Sister prayed, my heart seemed drawn towards her. She 
 pleaded simply and earnestly for a renewal of spiritual life ; 
 and I felt that she fully realized the necessity of constant com- 
 munion with Christ, in order to lead an earnest, useful, and 
 holy life. 
 
 "During breakfast, which seemed to be a good substantial 
 meal, the Sisters carried on a great deal of conversation 
 amongst themselves, which the Lady Superintendent at length 
 interrupted, by asking each to repeat any text which might 
 have been dwelling on her mind. 
 
 "After breakfast each one returned to her own room, and 
 made her bed, during the quarter of an hour which elapsed 
 before the morning Bible-class. This commences at nine 
 o'clock, and on that morning the Vicar himself was present ; 
 but he sometimes sends one of his Curates, or the Lady Super- 
 intendent conducts it herself. At ten o'clock the Bibles were 
 closed, and in a few minutes the room was left quite empty. 
 
 *' I waited a while, listened to the active preparations which 
 ■were being made on all sides, and wondering whether I should 
 be allowed a share in the day's work. 
 
 *' Presently one of the elder Sisters entered the room and said : 
 
 *' 'Will you pardon what may seem an apparent neglect of 
 you for a little while, as this is a particularly busy half-hour? 
 Some of our workers are about to sally forth to spend the day 
 in their different districts, and to hold the]r regular classes and 
 mothers' meetings. As some of the work carried on from this 
 Home lies at a great distance, we have to see to their wants 
 before they start ; and those who are not going to what we call 
 our ' out-lying missions ' are preparing to spend the morning 
 in their home districts, or in the parochial schools. ' 
 
 "She left me again, and I waited about half an hour before 
 her return. 
 
 " 'Now,' she said, 'I believe the house is empty, or very 
 nearly so.' 
 
At Home and Abroad. 293 
 
 " *Hov,' is it tliat iio\i are :it home?' I asked ; 'I trust it is 
 not on my account, for I should be very sorry to' hinder your 
 work in any way. ' 
 
 " 'No,' she said, 'that is not the reason, I can tell you for 
 your comfort. I have to attend to some home duties this 
 
 morning. Besides, dear Miss ,' she added, 'the Lady 
 
 Superintendent always looks to one of her elder ones to care for 
 the visitors, or for any new inmates ; for as there are seldom 
 less than twenty of us and sometimes more, it is not a very 
 agreeable thing to be left alone, as we must be till thoroughly 
 acquainted with the Sisters and the work which is going on. 
 The fact is, we are all so fully engaged with our own or each 
 other's work, that strangers would pass almost unnoticed, unless 
 there were some one appointed to look after them.' 
 
 " ' And have you been here long ?' I asked. 
 
 " 'Nearly five years, I think.' 
 
 " 'And you have never repented the step you then took?' 
 
 *' 'How do you mean?' she answered. 'You know we are 
 bound by no vows : one great advantage of this Home is its 
 perfect freedom. You can be an inmate for as long or as short 
 a time as you please. Some ladies, v/hose home-ties prevent 
 their giving up much time to out-door labor, come here for a 
 month or two in the year, in order to be able to devote a small 
 portion of their time to systematic work for the Lord ; but there 
 are others v/ho, like me, seem to have nothing to hinder them 
 from choosing this as their life-work. But may it not be,' she 
 said, speaking less rapidly, ' that the Master calls some of us to 
 bear the burden and heat of active work throughout our whole 
 lives, while others are called to the different, but not less hon- 
 ored, position of fulfilling their mission in passive work for Him ?* 
 
 *' 'I quite think so,' I answered. 
 
 '* 'And now,' she continued, 'will you come with me to the 
 invalid-kitchen ? "We will have to go through this house into 
 the next, and down into the basement, which I must open at 
 eleven o'clock, in order to supply some fifty dinners to the sick 
 in the district.' 
 
294 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 "We went together, and found a servant and one of the yo'.in:^er 
 Deaconesses busily engaged in cooking. From eleven to one 
 o'clock, tickets were brought which had been given by the Sis- 
 ters or district-visitors to those v/ho needed nourishment or little 
 delicacies, as well as medical aid. 
 
 "Some received meat or broth, others puddings or jellies, as 
 the case might require ; and thus into many a humble home 
 went a supply of suitable nourishment for those who were not 
 able to touch their ordinary food, and who had not the means 
 of preparing those delicacies which their health required. 
 
 "The Sister who accompanied me devoted herself to talking 
 to the women and children who came for their dinners, speak- 
 ing a word of comfort and encouragement to each one, and 
 making particular inquiries for the health of the sick one ; and 
 I am sure she was well repaid for her ministry to them by the 
 way in which their faces brightened up as they rec-sived the 
 food from her hands, and listened to her words. 
 
 "I asked her if she reheved only the sick, or if these dinners 
 were also supplied to the many who were sutfering from deep 
 poverty that winter. She told me that this department was 
 only for the sick, but that there was an Institution in the poorest 
 part of the parish which served two purposes, being a resort 
 for the working-classes, where they could obtain food at very 
 moderate prices, and also a place at which persons suffering 
 from the overwhelming distress into which thousands had been 
 thrown that winter by want of employment could have their 
 wants supplied by showing a ticket which had been paid for 
 and given away by the benevolent jDublic. This had proved a 
 most invaluable mode of relief, and had been the means of 
 saving many a family from the fearful death of starvation. 
 
 "I asked her whether the inmates of the Home seemed as 
 willing to render their services in looking after the bodily 
 wants of the poor as in attending to their spiritual need. She 
 assured me that they were cared for equally. 
 
 " ' Do you mean to say that the Sisters are not bound by any 
 rule?' 
 
At Home and Abroad. 295 
 
 " 'Indeed I do. After our morning Bible-class, we all go to 
 the work given to us, being bound by nothing save punctuality. 
 We are told, when we first come to the Home, that we are 
 trusted to occupy our time to the best advantage ; and I have 
 never known this trust to be abused. And with regard to the 
 question of numbers living together, I have found out what a 
 blessing a large circle may be. For instance, as evening draws 
 . on, you will see some of the Sisters coming in, with tired and 
 not over clean faces, looking, almost asking, for a word of sym- 
 pathy and love ; and then it is such a comfort to feel that we 
 are not working alone.' 
 
 "The bell again sounded, and I found it was for lunch, 
 which would be on the table for an hour, during which time 
 the Sisters working in the neighborhood were expected to come 
 in and take what they required, without waiting for one 
 another. I think about a dozen were there that day ; but all 
 seemed anxious to return to their work, and the meal was 
 taken in comparative silence. 
 
 " I was soon called awaj' by a message from the Lady Super- 
 intendent, who wished to speak to me. She told me that she 
 was going that afternoon to one of the outlying missions, and 
 asked me to accompany her. I gladly agreed to do so, being 
 anxious to gather all the information I could during my limited 
 visit. 
 
 "After being in the train for about half an hour, we arrived 
 at the station, which was at a little distance from the Mission. 
 We then threaded our way through several narrow streets, until 
 we came to a house, on which the words ' Mission-Eoom ' were 
 written, and here we found two of the Sisters busily engaged in 
 a Mother's meeting. 
 
 "We all returned to the Home by half-past five o'clock, and 
 I confess that I felt somewhat in the condition of those who 
 come back weary and worn after the day's campaign. We 
 dined at six o'clock, and a most happy social meal it was ; but 
 my heart was full that evening, and I hardly heard what was 
 said around me. 
 
296 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ** At half-past nine o'clock, tlie day was closed by family 
 prayers, which were conducted by the Lady Superintendent. She 
 gathered up the work of the day, and laid it all before God, 
 like the Apostles of old, who 'went and tqld Jesus both what 
 they had done and what they had taught. ' 
 
 " And now I may j)erhaps say a few words respecting those 
 who first opened the Institution, and their motives for so doin[;. 
 
 "It must be understood that, although the Lady Superinten- 
 dent is completely the mistress of her household, yet the respon- 
 sibility of the whole regulation and management of the Institu- 
 tion rests chiefly with the Pastor and his wife, I was pleased 
 to find this to be the case ; for I had often noticed the disadvan- 
 tages arising from the unlimited power of the Lady Superior in 
 other Sisterhoods belonging to the Church of England. 
 
 "I found that all the arrangements of the Home, from its 
 smallest household details to its largest field of outlying work, 
 were intimately known and directed by the clergyman and his 
 wife ; and the Lady Superintendent consults them about all her 
 plans and anj^ alterations she may think needful. She is thus 
 relieved of a great amount of responsibilitj^ and can give her 
 attention more entirely to the individual characters and spirit- 
 ual necessities of those over whom she has the charge." 
 
 In addition to the work thus described, the 
 Deaconesses carry on Ragged Schools, Bible 
 Classes, Girls' Night Schools, Cottage Readings, 
 House Visitations, a Home for Old Men and 
 Women, and other similar branches of distinc- 
 tively mission work. Laboring among the most 
 degraded classes of London, their free and flexi- 
 ble system has demonstrated its entire adapted- 
 ness to the often grave and trying emergencies 
 which they have been called upon to meet. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 297 
 
 3. 
 
 RHENISH PRUSSIA. 
 
 IVTO work professing to give even the most 
 1^ superficial view of the organized efforts of 
 women in our day would be otherwise than 
 grievously incomplete were it to leave unnoticed 
 the remarkable work accomplished during the 
 present century through the agency of a single 
 man — Pastor Fliedner of Kaiserswerth. How- 
 ever widely existing organizations in our own 
 ■and other Reformed Communions may have de- 
 parted from the model to be found beneath the 
 blue flag on the banks of the Rhine, the influence 
 of that beautiful and inspiring example can never 
 be adequately estimated. 
 
 In preparing an account of Kaiserswerth for 
 these pages, it has been felt that no more apt or 
 vivid description of the work and its founder could 
 well be furnished than that which is already to be 
 found in De Liefde's admirable volume, " The 
 
298 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Romance of Charity,"^ which is, itself, simply an 
 abridgment of the same author's larger work, 
 '' Six Months among the Charities of Europe." 
 The following sketches of Fliedner and Kaisers- 
 werth are mainly compiled from the first-named 
 source. 
 
 "At the time when Dr. FliediDer began his work, the Pro- 
 testant Church in Germany was not ripe for taking any steps 
 towards employing an official female agency. From the prisons, 
 the hospitals, and the abodes of misery, crime, and destitution, 
 Fliedner heard an alarming cry for help, which male agents, 
 however willing to go to the rescue, could not respond to. A 
 wise man once laid down this rule : ' If a work must be done 
 and nobody is inclined to do it, J must.' This work had to be 
 done ; and there was nobody willing to do it, as it seemed. 
 What then was left for a heart like Fliedner's, but to exclaim, 
 ' J must do it!' 
 
 ' ' He resolved on trying to call forth a band of Christian 
 women, willing to devote their lives to the rescue of the lost, to 
 the nursing of the sufferers, to the training of the neglected. 
 Nor was the idea such a novelty as German Protestants at first 
 supposed it to be. Vincent de Paul had set the examj)le two 
 hundred years before, by founding his institution of Sisters of 
 Charity in the Roman Catholic Church. And Mrs. Fry, whose 
 celebrity had become Euroj)ean, gave proof that Protestant 
 v/omen did not need to go to Rome to learn the practice of 
 Christian love. It was her example, indeed, which inspired 
 Fliedner. She showed that a Christian woman, when fitly 
 trained, is able to find access where the way is closed to men : 
 that the gentle touch of her finger may smooth roughnesses 
 where the pressure of a man's hand would fail. 
 
 * "The Romance of Charity," by John De Liefde. Lon- 
 don : Alex. Strahan. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 299 
 
 ** Flieclner was a poor young Candidat of t-wenty-two, when in 
 1822 he took charge of the church at Kaiserswerth, which was 
 one of the smallest and poorest parishes of the Prussian Church. 
 He was scarcely settled in his new sphere when his congregation 
 was thrown into utter poverty, and partly dispersed, by the 
 failure of a manufacturing firm which employed nearly all its 
 members. The presbytery offered the poor young minister 
 another church, but he declined to leave his flock. 
 
 "This was the pivot upon which Fliedner's life turned. 
 To be able to carry out his great work he had to see and to 
 learn many things for which the small village of Kaiserswerth 
 afforded no opportunity. He must be made acquainted with 
 the wants of the suffering and neglected population of hia 
 country, and then learn the way to supply them. His 
 church was in debt, and, owing to the above-mentioned catas- 
 trophe, his people were unable to pay it. He would make a 
 tour of the province in which he resided, with a view of collect- 
 ing money to make up the deficiency. On this journey he 
 made the acquaintance of the leading men in the Church, and 
 especially in the sphere of Christian philanthropy. Their con- 
 versation enabled him to cast a glance into the depths of misery 
 which prevailed among the lower classes, in the prisons, and in 
 the hospitals. He returned home to his flock with the glad in- 
 telligence that he was able to pay their most urgent debts. But 
 fresh difficulties arose. It was quite absurd to expect that these 
 poor people would be able to meet the annual expenditure of 
 their church and school ; so Fliedner resolved to try to collect 
 an endowment for both, and this time he directed his steps to 
 Holland and Great Britain. 
 
 " He set out on his travels in 1823, and he obtained money in 
 abundance : but he carried back with him a greater treasure 
 than even the gold of England or the silver' of Holland ; and 
 this was a thorough knowledge of the chief philanthropic and 
 charitable institutions of the two countries. ' On my journey 
 through those evangelical countries,' he wrote, some twenty 
 years ago, 'I became acquainted with a great many institutions 
 
300 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 for the cure both of body and soul : schools raid educational 
 establishments, poorhouses, orphanages, and hospitals, Bible 
 and missionary societies, etc. In August 1824 I returned home, 
 full of admiration and gratitude, but at the same time ashamed 
 that we Germans allowed ourselves thus to bo excelled in 
 works of Christian love, and especially that we had hitherto 
 cared so little for our prisons.' 
 
 "It was precious seed which he brought home, and he 
 failed not to sow it as soon as he could, and with all carefulness. 
 ' The smallness of my church, ' he M^rote, ' allowed me more 
 leisure time than my colleagues had at their disposal. My ex- 
 perience in other countries had opened my eyes to discover the 
 faults of my ovm, and I felt it my duty to redress them.' 
 
 "The poprJous town of Diisseldorf, not far from Kaisers- 
 werth, had a large prison, the inmates of v^'hich were shut out not 
 only from society, but also from all religious instruction. The 
 young minister obtained permission from the Government to 
 preach every alternate Sunday afternoon to the Protestant por- 
 tion of the prisoners. His first sermon to them was preached 
 on the 9th of October, 1825. *My chapel,' he wrote, 'was not 
 very inviting : two sleeping-rooms with the bed-straw piled up 
 in a corner, and a doorway between them, where I stood, that 
 I might be heard by the women on one side and the men on the 
 other. ' 
 
 "A society for prison reform was now established, after the 
 English pattern ; and those horrible jails, which hitherto had 
 been filthy dens and scenes of the lowest immorality, were 
 gradually turned into places fit for the habitation of human 
 beings, besides being provided with sufficient means for making 
 the inmates better members of society. 
 
 "Pastor Fliedner was the heart and soul of the society. 
 And in order still further to qualify him for what was to be his 
 life-work, he undertook a second visit to Holland in 1827, and 
 another to England and Scotland in 1832. Here he made the 
 acquaintance of Elizabeth Fry, of Dr. Chalmers, and of many 
 others gifted with rare talents for rescuing perishing men. 
 
AT Home and Abroad. 301 
 
 '*He felt tliat he was ready for his work now, and looking up 
 to God, he put his hand to the plough, never to loosen his 
 grasp till death stiffened his fingers. An asylum for discharged 
 female convicts was the first thing wanted. People laughed at 
 the idea of such a class remaining in a house, the door of which 
 would be open all day. Fliedner's excellent wife, who, from 
 love to the lost and the neglected, taught some years in the 
 reformatory of Diisselthal, joined him with all her heart. 
 Their little garden-house was given up for the purpose. This 
 happened in 1833. The next year the garden-house was too 
 small. A larger place was procured, and friends sent in their 
 contributions for the work. But the garden-house did not re- 
 main empty. The little children of the factory people were 
 invited to fill it during the day. A good girl, a member of 
 Fliedner's church, offered her services as teacher. She began 
 a knitting-school, which in 1836 was enlarged into an infant- 
 school for poor children of all denominations, organized after 
 the pattern of Wilderspin's Infant-School at Spitalfields. 
 
 " But now the sick people were to have their turn. An hos- 
 pital was what was wanted, — an hospital under the control of 
 Christian love and the care of Christian nurses. A large house 
 was for sale. Fliedner had no money, but he bought the 
 building. On the day of payment some good friends advanced 
 the required sum. But the whole town was astir when it was 
 known that the premises were to be converted into an hospital. 
 Fliedner, however, allowed the people to talk, and did his 
 work, and the work proved the best answer to all their com- 
 plaints. 
 
 "But no sooner was the hospital set agoing than the want of 
 fit nurses was felt. And where were they to be got ? Of 
 course there were nurses at the different hospitals, but what 
 sort were they ? They were mostly persons who, after having 
 failed at every other employment, had taken to sick nursing as 
 a last refuge from starvation. Fliedner perceived that an 
 institution for training females as sick nurses was urgently 
 wanted. Gertrude Reichardt, the first Christian young woman 
 
302 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 who entered Flieduer's deaconess-house, was the pioneer of a 
 numerous band of servants of God scattered over the world, 
 who in self-denying love and humble patience devote their lives 
 to the nursing of the sick, the instruction of prisoners, the 
 education of children, and the consolation of the poor and the 
 afflicted. 
 
 "An asylum for discharged female convicts, an infant-school, 
 an hospital, a deaconess-house — those four little seeds were 
 sown in humility and weakness, in fear and trembling, but not 
 unaccompanied with the voice of fervent prayer which rose up to 
 God day and night. And God heard that prayer and gave the 
 increase, and spread His protecting hand over the tender 
 little plants, so that they could defy the summer's drought and 
 the winter's frost. 
 
 THE DEACONESS-HOUSE AT KAISERSWERTH. 
 
 " "When," says De Liefde, **in November, 1864, I visited the 
 Kaiserswerth Establishment for the second time, and stood by 
 the newly made grave that contained the mortal remains of its 
 great and deeply-lamented founder, I was so struck with 
 astonishment at the wonderful work which God, through the 
 instrumentality of a weak human being, had performed, that I 
 regretted I could not stay six months at the place, and write a 
 special volume about what my eyes saw and my heart enjoyed. 
 
 "I entered one of the two main entrances of the building, 
 and found myself in a simple flag-paved hall or passage. A 
 woman guided me across a spacious garden to a row of build- 
 ings which ran parallel with the main establishment. One of 
 these humble buildings is the dwelling of Mrs. Fliedner. 
 
 "A deaconess guided me through the whole establishment. 
 It took me three hours to walk over its extensive iDremises, and 
 to take a peep into the principal apartments. At length, 
 passing through a beautiful garJen, we arrived at the Feler- 
 Abend Hause—a beautiful sjmibolic name for a 'House of Rest' 
 for old deaconesses. Feier-Abend means the evening which 
 precedes a great festival. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 303 
 
 "The varions buildings of the Colony of Kaiserswerth are 
 ranged in six groups, betv/een which are spacious and vvell-laid- 
 out kitchen and flower gardens. 
 
 "First comes the chief building, the so-called Mother-House, 
 which contains the dwelling-rooms and bed-rooms for the 
 deaconesses, the hospital for male and female invalids, the 
 apothecary's room, the writing-room, etc. At present 415 
 sisters are connected with this establishment, of whom 171 are 
 probationers. They are divided into two classes, — Nursing and 
 Instructing Sisters. The former attend to the various wards, 
 and are, in the men's wards, assisted by men-nurses. The 
 latter, of whom there are 31, vdth 43 probationers, are trained 
 for educational work. During the year 1863 not less than 789 
 invalids were nursed, of whom 260 were Roman Catholics and 
 eight Jews. Protestant as the Institution is, yet free admis- 
 sion is granted to the Eoman Catholic priest to visit the 
 members of his Church, and to administer extreme unction to 
 the dying. Nor does the presence of Romanists hinder the 
 mission-work which deaconesses, under the direction of the 
 Chaplain of the Establishment, carry on among the suf- 
 ferers. All the invalids, no matter what denomination they 
 belong to, hear every day the Gospel read and explained. And 
 every annual report contains touching instances of the conver- 
 sion of individuals, who entered the Hospital in a state of 
 ignorance or infidelity, and either left it or died, rejoicing in 
 the God of their salvation. 
 
 " The Instructing Sisters are again divided into classes, viz., 
 Teachers of Infant Schools, and Teachers of Girls' Schools, and 
 other educational establishments. When sent out to teach, 
 two of them always go together, "in the same manner as the 
 Lord sent out His disciples, so that they may strengthen one 
 another mutually in their weakness.' They exercise themselves 
 in the practice of teaching at the Infant School of the Establish- 
 ment (which is attended by from seventy to eighty children), 
 at the Orphan house, at the Town school, or at the Children's 
 wards in the Hospital, and they receive their theoretical train- 
 
304 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 ing at tlie Seminary, which is a spacious three-storied building 
 with thirty-six windows in front. 
 
 " The view from this house is very picturesque, having gar- 
 dens on one side, and the Ehine on the other. Of the pupils 
 who are trained here only a few are Deaconesses, as most of them 
 prepare themselves for independent situations. At the close of 
 1863, out of eighty-five pupils who were in the house, only 
 twenty-two were Deaconesses. The total number of teachers 
 trained at this Establishment since its commencement, amounts 
 to 1007, who are scattered throughout the world, conducting 
 hundreds of schools, from those for more advanced girls down 
 to those for infants. It is gratifying and often touching to read 
 the letters in which these teachers give an account of their work 
 to Dr. Fliedner. And the testimonies to their usefulness borne 
 by Christians who live in the districts where they are laboring, 
 are very strong. 
 
 "The Infant school is the third building which attracts our 
 attention. Certain recent alterations and repairs have made it 
 an excellent and well-ventilated school-house. A large play- 
 ground gives plenty of opportunity for recreation to the 
 seventy or eighty children who here receive instruction every 
 day. One of the Deaconesses is the chief teacher. Assisted 
 by a male teacher, she instructs her younger Sisters in Infant 
 school management. 
 
 "Next comes the Female Orphan Asylum, which receives girls 
 under twelve, who have lost one or both of their parents. 
 They are not poor, but of rather respectable families, and 
 are mostly daughters of clergymen and schoolmasters. This 
 house is at the same time intended to be a kind of training 
 school for future Deaconesses. Ten of the present Kaiserswerth 
 Deaconesses were trained at this Orphan House. The present 
 number of pupils is twenty-seven. 
 
 "The oldest of the Kaiserswerth institutions is the House of 
 Refuge for released Female Prisoners and Magdalens, Since its 
 foundation in 1833, 439 girls, either discharged prisoners or 
 fiallen women, have been received, and, after a residence of one 
 
At Home and Abroad. 305 
 
 or two years, provided witli suitable situations. The present 
 number of inmates is thirty. 
 
 "The Institution for Protestant Insane "Women of the edu- 
 cated class is a magnificent building, situated in a pleasant 
 garden. It contains forty rooms of various sizes, besides ba.tli 
 rooms, halls for social meetings, and musical entertainments, 
 passages for walking exercise, a covered arcade used in wet 
 weather, and a green house which affords an opx^ortunity for 
 gardening, even in winter. The medical direction of the House 
 is in the hands of the Hospital physician, and Pastor DisseUioff 
 attends to the spiritual treatment of the unhappy inmates. Tho 
 j)hysician and the pastor are assisted in their work by eighteen 
 Deaconesses. Of the fifty-five ladies who were dischsj-ged 
 during the last three years, sixteen were perfectly cured, eleven 
 were much improved, eleven were sent back uncured to their 
 families, and twelve were removed to other establishments. 
 During the year 1863 the House contained forty-one inmates, of 
 whom twenty-sis were suffering from melancholia. 
 
 "I have already mentioned the House of Best. But not only 
 are the aged Deaconesses cared for, there is also a place of re- 
 tirement and refreshment for those who require rest and change 
 of air. It is Salem, a pretty-looking farm-house near Ratingen, 
 seven miles from Kaiserswerth, situated at the foot of the woody 
 hills through which the beautiful stream of Anger flows. Here, 
 in the midst of most charming and picturesque scenery, where 
 in summer the fragrance of field and forest soothes the mind, 
 and the freshness of mountain air invigorates the system, the 
 Deaconesses have an opportunity of regaining the health which 
 they have lost through their arduous labors at the sick-beds 
 and in the schools of the poor. It is a true Salem, a house of 
 peace for the weary, who here, in the company of their Sisters, 
 spend some time in quiet communion with Him from whom 
 they derive all their strength for the holy work they have de- 
 voted themselves to. A small Filial-orphan House, as it is 
 called, is also connected with this Establishment, and is under 
 the superintendence of two Deaconesses. 
 
 20 
 
3o6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 "Another Orphan House was founded at Altorf, near Pless, in 
 Upper Silesia. It owes its origin to the typhus which raged in 
 that district in 1848. The noble Count and Countess von Stol- 
 berg, residents of Pless, impelled by compassion for the orphans 
 of those who fell victims to the epidemic, gave a building for 
 their use, and put it under Fliedner's. dire3tion. The Govern- 
 ment also sent a number of orphans from the neighborhood, to 
 have them trained in it as farm-servants. About a yearly 
 average of eighty children have been sheltered, fed, clothed, 
 and trained, at this excellent house of charity. 
 
 " So much for the institutions of K aiserswerth. And now, 
 if we turn our eyes to the North, the South, the East, and the 
 West, WG will see not less than 96 stations, where 293 Deacon- 
 esses are laboring under the direction of the Committee. * Of 
 these stations 78 are in the kingdom of Prussia, 7 in other 
 German States, 4 in other European countries (at Constantino- 
 ple, Bucharest, Florence, and Geneva), 4 in Asia, 1 in Africa 
 (Alexandria), and 1 in America (Pittsburg). Eighty-six of 
 them are Institutions belonging to corporations, societies, or 
 communities, whom the Committee has agreed to supply with 
 Deaconesses. Forty-four of these Institutions are hospitals, or 
 infirmaries ; 11 schools ; 5 poorhouses ; 2 orphanages ; 2 Protes- 
 tant homes for maid servants ; 2 Deaconess-houses : 1 a school 
 for the blind ; and one a prison. The rest are local home- 
 missions, carried on by churches, which employ Deaconesses 
 as their agents. Most of these churches have 2 Deaconesses in 
 their service. In some of the hospitals from 3 to 6 Deacon- 
 esses are employed ; and at the new Charity House at Berlin 
 there are 8 Deaconesses. 
 
 ' ' During the Schleswig-Holstein War 28 Deaconesses were 
 engaged day and night in the hospitals at Gottorf (in the town 
 of Schleswig), Apenrade, Hadersleben, Kolding, and Flensburg. 
 
 * The Committee bears tlie name of " Direction of the Rhenish-Westpha- 
 lian Society for training and sending out (Beschafligung) Evangelical Dea- 
 conesses." It consists of eight members. Dr. Fliedner was its vice- 
 President and Secretary. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 307 
 
 That such able and zealous sick nurses would be invaluable, 
 every one can understand. They were like consoling angels to 
 the wounded Danes, as well as to their own countrymen. One 
 day General Wrangel visited the Hadersleben hospital, where 
 the Deaconesses had daily to tend from sixty to seventy 
 invalids. 
 
 ' ' He here saw a Danish prisoner, with whom he conversed, 
 through an interpreter, about the way in which he was taken 
 prisoner, etc. ' And are you content with the treatment here V 
 the General asked. ' Content ! content !' cried the Dane, in 
 broken German, passionately rising up in his bed, and allowing 
 no time for employing an interpreter : 'Ay, ya, ya. General, 
 thank, thank!' 'All right, my son,' the old General replied; 
 'but let these Sisters, not me, have your thanks.' And with 
 these words he cordially shook hands wdth the Deaconesses. 
 
 "The hardships and privations which these faithful friends 
 of the sufferers- sustained were not few. At Kolding, in Jut- 
 land, they had to wage a regular war with mice and other 
 vermin. On one occasion a Deaconess was summoned to some 
 distant place at the dead of night. She flung her mantle round 
 her shoulders, and took her seat in the post-chaise. At day- 
 break the coachman told her that she could not well go on in 
 that strange dress : her mantle had no back, the mice having 
 eaten it away. 
 
 " The Kaiserswerth Deaconesses kept up a cordial corre- 
 spondence with their colleagues, the Deaconesses of Copenha- 
 gen, who were ministering to the Danish army. During the 
 armistice two of them accepted an invitation from their Copen- 
 hagen Sisters to favor them with a visit. The queen, having 
 heard of their arrival, kindly invited them to the palace, and 
 expressed to them her gratitude for the care and love which 
 they had shown to her wounded subjects. 
 
 "Besides the six Institutions at Kaiserswerth, ten of the 
 above-mentioned stations are under the direct control of the 
 Committee as affiliated Institutions. These are : 
 
 ** 1. The Deaconess Educational School at Hilden, in Ehenish 
 
3o8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Prussia ; with seven Deaconessts. 2. The Protestant Homo 
 for maid-servants at Berlin, with which an Infant School and 
 a School for older girls are connected ; with fourteen Deacon- 
 esses. 3. The Protestant Home for Maid-servants at Derendorf, 
 near Diisseldorf ; with four Deaconesses. 4. The Orphan 
 House at Altorf ; with six Deaconesses. 5. The Deaconess 
 Educational School at Florence, with six Deaconesses. 6. The 
 Deaconess Educational School at Smyrna ; with twelve Deacon- 
 esses. 7. The Deaconess House at Jerusalem ; with one Dea- 
 coness. 8. The Hospital at Alexandria ; with five Deaconesses. 
 9. The Orphan House at Bairouth ; v/ith 7 Deaconesses. 10. 
 The Boarding School at Bairouth ; with four Deaconesses. 
 
 "The peaconess Educational Schools are of a high class. I 
 visited that at Florence in 1863. It is kept in a line, large 
 house, which has a beautiful and extensive garden attached. 
 The property belongs to Madame Eynard, of Geneva, who, in 
 the most liberal manner, allows the use of it rent-free. I never 
 saw better accommodation in a first-class boarding-school. 
 There are a great number of large and well-ventilated apart- 
 ments in the building, which has room for fifty boarders at 
 least. As it was but recently opened, there were only thirteen ; 
 but in the day school there were sixty out-door pupils. Six 
 Deaconesses give instruction in different elementary branches. 
 For French, Italian, English, music, etc., the first teachers of 
 the town are engaged. German is taught by the Deaconesses 
 themselves. The importance of such a first-rate Protestant 
 School in the centre of Roman Catholicism cannot be easily 
 overrated. The solidity of the training and teaching is so 
 generally acknowledged, that pupils from various countries and 
 of all creeds come to the sch'ool. "While abstaining from any- 
 thing like direct doctrinal lessons, the Deaconesses carry on 
 their educational labors on a thoroughly evangelical basis. 
 The Bible is the Book in all the classes, and the rule for the 
 family-life in the hourse. Nor is the secular teaching in the 
 least sacrificed to the religious. I was present at a lesson in 
 German Hterature which the chief Deaconess gave to the first 
 
At Home and Abroad. 309 
 
 class. One of Schiller's masterpieces was read, and the pupils 
 examined upon it ; the pronunciation was so correct, that I 
 could scarcely believe the readers to be Italians ; and even a 
 young Greek lady gave such answers to a few questions which 
 I put to her as I could hardly have expected from a first-class 
 pupil in a German academy. 
 
 *'If abundance of contributions be a proof of popularity, 
 then the Kaiserswerth Institutions are exceedingly popular. 
 Their list of donations and subscriptions for 1863 contains 
 sixty-six closely-printed pages, each of two columns. These 
 gifts are chiefly from Ehenish Prussia and "Westphalia, being 
 the two provinces in which the greater number of the Deacon- 
 esses are laboring, and in which the Government permits 
 annual collections to be made at the houses and in the churches. 
 In this list there are only four donations from London, of £6 
 2s. in all, and one from Edinburgh of £15. The King heads 
 the list with an annual subscription of 50 thalers (£7 10s. ) ; 
 above which sum none of the annual subscriptions go. The 
 greater part of them are under one thaler (3s. ) ; and such an 
 annual gift as fifteen or twenty thalers rarely occurs. The 
 donations, of course, show higher figures. Still they do not go 
 beyond 400 thalers (£60), which sum occurs twice ; and there 
 are whole columns which do not go beyond one thaler. This 
 seems to prove that the Kaiserswerth Institutions are mainly 
 popular among the lower and middle classes. Even out of the 
 100 donations that were from Berlin, only 77 go higher than one 
 thaler; and of these the greater number do not exceed two thalers. 
 Still, notwithstanding the comparative smallness of these gifts, 
 tho donations amounted to a little above 12,000 thalers (£1800), 
 and the subscriptions to a little under 3000 (£450). The 
 annual collection at the houses and in the churches yielded £650. 
 The Deaconesses earned £1490 by their services in the hospitals 
 aui private families, and this sum, after the deduction of £1012 
 for pocket-money, left a balance of £478. The whole income 
 of the Establishment amounted to a little above 55,000 thalers 
 
3IO Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 (£8250), whicli -was 4672 thalers (£700) less than the expendi- 
 ture. 
 
 "In the income table a sum of 5G18 thalers (£843; is set 
 down as accruing from the sale of books and engravings. 
 There is a small publishing business in connection with the 
 Establishment. Its publications amount to between fifty and 
 sixty, large and small, and excel by their amazing cheapness, 
 as well as by their thoroughly evangelical and j)opular character. 
 Among them a monthly journal, started sixteen years ago and 
 called 'The Friend of the poor and the sick,' {Ber Armen- und 
 Krankenfrennd), ranks foremost. Its price is one shilling 
 a year, and it is conducted by Pastor Disselhoff. It is ably 
 vnritten, and gives full information about the work of the 
 Deaconesses in particular, and also regarding the social and 
 rehgious condition of the people, and mission- work in general." 
 
 Service for the Ordination of Deacon- 
 esses, 
 
 AS USED AT Ka3;sekswekth, Petjssia. 
 
 HYMN. 
 
 0, glorious Prince of Life, defend 
 Thy poorhouse here on earth ; extend 
 To it Thy shielding care, and deign 
 That here be never done in vain 
 The smallest work of love ; and fill 
 Each soui with strength to do Thy wiU. 
 
 And oh, let Mary's spirit blest 
 
 Alike on every Sister rest, 
 
 That they in hope, through grief and pain, 
 
 May bear Thy yoke und count it gain ; 
 
 And if oppressive it should be, 
 
 Say to their hearts, " Come, follow Me ; 
 
At Home and Abroad. 311 
 
 For I am with Thee— I am He 
 "Who bore the Cross on Calvary." 
 Then with fresh courage we'll arise, 
 Pursue our journey to the skies, 
 Eight for the home we have in view, 
 And following Thee, our foes subdue. 
 
 As Thou Thyself in days gone by, 
 Supported uncomplainingly 
 In silence and in gentleness, 
 And in a spmt full of peace, 
 For us the yoke of love, — impart, 
 We pray Thee, Lord, to every heart, 
 
 That peace which worketh full of love 
 And wearies not : grant this, to prove 
 That Thou art in us and that we 
 Even on earth are still with Thee. 
 O Lord, our Saviour, and Defence, 
 "We seek no earthly recompense. 
 
 But be our home Thy mercy-seat, 
 And we shall tread with willing feet 
 Our pathway here, and striving still 
 Our lowly duties to fulfil. 
 Stand waiting for that harvest bright 
 Reserved for those who walk in light. 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 We are to-day assembled in the presence of 
 our Lord to celebrate a holy solemnity, to make 
 a solemn but joyful covenant. In order fully to 
 understand the deep meaning of this ceremony, 
 let us imagine ourselves standing amongst the 
 
312 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 first members of the Church of Christ at Jerusalem 
 -^that model of all Christian churches upon 
 earth — just founded by the Apostles, walking in 
 the fear of the Lord and filled with the consola- 
 tion of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Here, in this newly-planted garden of the Lord, 
 when the number of the disciples was multiplied, 
 were felt those wants and weaknesses which exist 
 everywhere on earth. There were widows and or- 
 phans, poor and sick members, who required daily 
 assistance, but whose needs were overlooked for 
 want of regular care. Then the twelve called 
 together the multitude of the disciples and com- 
 manded them to choose out seven men of good 
 report, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom, to 
 assist the widows and orphans, to take care of the 
 sick and poor, as servants of the Church, or dea- 
 cons. They then prayed and laid their hands 
 on them and ordained them to the office of 
 deacons. 
 
 Not long after the Church, in like manner, 
 appointed female assistants, to provide for the 
 wants of the sick and the poor, as servants of the 
 Church, or deaconesses. The Apostle speaks 
 with praise of Phoebe as of one in the service of the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 313 
 
 Corinthian Church, who had been a succorer of 
 many, and of himself also. {Rom. xvi. I.) 
 
 These Deaconesses labored after the Apostolic 
 times for many centuries profitably in the Church 
 of Christ. Their charity embraced the poor, the 
 sick, prisoners and children ; and in the fourth 
 century forty were active in the Church at Con- 
 stantinople. 
 
 To-day these seven women before us desire to 
 be appointed to a similar work of love in the 
 service of the Church, as those forty, — as Phebe 
 in Cenchraea, as the seven deacons in Jerusalem. 
 They are of good report, as those deacons ; they 
 have prayed for the Holy Spirit and the wisdom 
 from above (Acts vi. 3) ; they hold the mystery 
 of the faith in a pure conscience (i Ti/n. iii. 9) ; 
 for, feeling their own impurity and sinfulness, they 
 have turned with penitence to the Saviour of sin- 
 ners, and He has made known to them the 
 covenant of grace, and purified their hearts by 
 faith. They have also been proved, as St. Paul 
 required of the deacons (i Tz7n. iii. 10) ; they 
 have gone through a long period of probation, 
 that we might see whether they were skilful and 
 unblamable in the service of the sick and poor 
 
314 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 (l Tim. iii. lo) ; they have, under the direction 
 of the Superior and the physician, exercised 
 themselves in the bodily care of the sick and 
 poor, whose servants they are to be ; and under 
 the direction of the Clergyman learnt to satisfy 
 the spiritual wants of those under their care, as 
 far as is consistent with their office. Whenever 
 they could, they have relieved the afflicted and 
 miserable, and have diligently followed every 
 good work (i Tim. v. lo). 
 
 Having been found worthy to fulfil the duties 
 of Deaconess, we will to-day, in the name of the 
 Holy Trinity, admit them to this office. 
 
 But it is fitting, my dear Sisters, that here, in 
 the presence of God and this congregation, the 
 duties to which you are about to devote your- 
 selves should again be laid before you. 
 
 You are to be servants of the Church of God 
 as Deaconesses, especially as ministers of her sick 
 and poor, but also, if need be, of prisoners and 
 destitute children : it will therefore be your duty, 
 according as you shall be specially directed, to 
 serve in a threefold capacity, as 
 
 I. Servants of the Lord Jesus. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 315 
 
 2. Servants of the sick and poor for Jesus' 
 sake. 
 
 3. Servants one tc another. 
 
 First, as servants of the Lord Jesus. You are 
 not only bound, as every Christian, to live to 
 the honor of God, but you have also made it the 
 special object of your life to serve Him with all 
 your powers in the sick and weak members of 
 His body. You are, therefore, so much the more 
 bound to die to all the pleasures, honors, riches 
 and joys of the world ; to seek your joy in this 
 service of love through gratitude to Him, Who 
 took upon Him the form of a servant and suffer- 
 ed death for you, erven the death of the Cross. 
 
 You are not to seek for abundant earthly re- 
 ward in this service : if you have food and raiment 
 you must be therewith content. 
 
 You must not seek honor from man ; you must 
 go forth unto Jesus, bearing His reproach. 
 
 You must not seek earthly pleasure and ease ; 
 you must deny yourselves, and take up your cross 
 daily and follow Him. 
 
 What an honor is yours ! You are to minister 
 to Him whom it is the highest honor of the holy 
 angels to serve — the King of kings and Lord of 
 
3i6 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 lords, — to serve Him as His handmaid, to wait 
 upon Him in His members. 
 
 As Mary of Bethany had always before her 
 eyes the one thing needful, and therefore rejoiced 
 to sit at Jesus' feet, but was also ready, when it 
 was permitted her, to wait upon and to anoint 
 Him — as she did not shrink from expense, trou- 
 ble, or the derision of men — so must you always 
 desire on the one hand to hear Jesus, and on the 
 other to sej^ve Him with a love which *' beareth 
 all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, 
 endureth all things." Then will His glorious 
 promises be yours. He will say to you, *' I was 
 naked and ye clothed Me ; I was sick and ye 
 visited Me ; I was in prison and ye came unto 
 Me." ''Whoso receiveth a little child in My 
 name receiveth Me." '' Come, ye blessed of My 
 Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you 
 from the foundation of the world." {St. Matt. 
 XXV. 36, 34.) 
 
 Secondly, as servants of the sick and poor, for 
 Jesus' sake. As St. Paul made himself servant 
 unto all that he might gain the more, so must 
 you be especially servants of the sick and poor, 
 not to obtain praise from them, but out of love 
 
At Home and Abroad. 317 
 
 and submission to the Lord whose, representa- 
 tives you are. 
 
 Therefore you must not serve them with such 
 indulgence as might strengthen their perverse 
 will, but always with the holy zeal of parental 
 affection, striving to win their souls for the Lord. 
 
 Thirdly, as servants one to another. It is 
 your duty, my Sisters, when several of you are 
 working together, to show that love which leads 
 us in lowliness of mind to esteem others better 
 than ourselves. [Phil ii. 3.) Whosoever will be 
 great among you, let her be the servant of all. 
 If you are one by a living faith in our common 
 Lord and Saviour, you are more nearly related 
 to one another than if you were united by the 
 closest ties of blood. You are acknowledged as 
 daughters by the Great High-Priest, who says to 
 you : " By this shall all men know that ye are 
 My disciples, if ye love another." {St. John xiii. 
 
 35.) 
 
 As such Christian servants, it is your duty. 
 
 Finally, Arith childlike obedience, to respect 
 the authority of the superiors of the Deaconess- 
 institution, who are over you in the Lord, and 
 labor among you with parental love. 
 
3i8 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 In the presence of God and this congregation, 
 I now demand of you, Are you determined faith- 
 fully to fulfil these duties belonging to the office 
 of a Deaconess, in the fear of the Lord, according 
 to His Holy Word ? 
 •iT Answer, Yes. 
 
 May Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd and Bish- 
 op of your souls, seal your profession, and vow 
 with His Yea and Amen, and own you forever as 
 His. Amen. 
 
 Draw near, and give me and the Superior your 
 hands in confirmation of your promise. 
 IT Kneel down.* 
 
 The triune God, God the Father, Son, and 
 Holy Ghost, bless you and make you faithful 
 unto death, and give unto you the crown of 
 everlasting life. Aine7i. 
 
 Let us who are here assembled and desire for 
 these Deaconesses salvation and blessing, pray 
 for them. " O come, lef us worship and fall 
 down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker." 
 IT The congregation kneel. 
 
 Father of mercy, who hath led these Thy ser- 
 vants to Thy Son, so that they have given them- 
 
 * The Deaconesses are ordained witli imposition of hands. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 319 
 
 selves up to Him for His own possession, and 
 desire to serve Him with all the powers of their 
 body and soul in administering to the sick and 
 poor ; we humbly beseech Thee, be merciful 
 unto them and direct their hearts into Thy love, 
 and into the patient waiting for Christ, that 
 they may live and work in Thee and rejoice in 
 Thy favor always. 
 
 O Lord Jesus, Thou merciful High-Priest, who 
 hast purchased these souls with Thy blood, Thine 
 they are, they have devoted themselves to Thy 
 service. Enlighten them with the bright beams 
 of Thy truth, strengthen the weak by Thy 
 power, and give them an abundant measure of 
 Thy meekness and humility, that they may ac- 
 knowledge themselves unprofitable servants be- 
 fore Thee, and desire to be and do nothing of 
 themselves, but only to the honor of Thy glo- 
 rious Name. 
 
 O God the Holy Ghost, Thou Spirit of peace, 
 replenish them with Thy peace, that they, as Thy 
 messengers, may bring peace to the homes and 
 families of the sick, and the circle of Sisters ; 
 grant that they may be ever adorned ''with the 
 ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," and maybe 
 
320 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 so g'overned by the spirit of obedience towards 
 all their superiors, feeling that in performing their 
 commands they are obeying Thee. [Heb. xiii. 
 17 ; I St. Pet. ii. 13 ; I Cor. xiv. 34.) 
 
 Grant them to know, O triune God, that they 
 serve Thee, and not man. Pour out Thy peace 
 upon them like a river (^Isa. xlviii. 18.) Let Thy 
 free Spirit sustain them, that they may always 
 feel that it is good for them to be in Thy service, 
 and that godliness hath the promise of the life 
 that now is and of that which is to come. 
 
 And when duty calls them afar off, go Thou 
 with them, as Thou didst with Jacob. Keep 
 them by Thine angels in all their ways, lest at 
 any time they dash their feet against a stone : 
 lead them with Thy Fatherly hand, guard them 
 by Thy watchful eye, that when they walk 
 through the dark valley they may not fear, and 
 in the hour of death clothe them with the white 
 garments of Thy Righteousness {Rev. iii. 5), and 
 give them palms of victory in their hands {Rev. 
 vii. 9), and grant unto them the Crown of Life, 
 {Rev. ii. 10). AmeTif Ametz. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 321 
 
 HYMN II. 
 
 Before the celebration of the Holy Communion. 
 
 Lord, let tliem of those five be fomid 
 "Who -when they hear the joyful so;ind 
 
 Of Thy return, shall bear 
 Their shining lamps, and on that morn, 
 To greet Thy Second Advent's dawn 
 
 With joyful hearts prepare. 
 
 Lord, we make our prayer to Thee, 
 Tha-t faith and hope and charity 
 
 May all their hearts inspire. 
 Thou, of every light most bright, 
 Before Whom darkness turns to light, 
 
 Quicken each good desire. 
 
 Preserve their souls in faithfulness, 
 Come quickly, heal, renew, and bless, 
 
 Grant that each hour may be 
 So counted blessed. Lord, as Thine, 
 That some good deed in each may shine, 
 
 Each day be given to Thee. 
 
 Exhortation. 
 Ye have now entered as servants of Christ into 
 His vineyard : to you is entrusted the joyful duty 
 of ministering to your Saviour in His sick and 
 weak members. Arise, then, arise, my Sisters, 
 gird yourselves as the wise virgins, for His service. 
 Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to 
 meet Him, with your lamps in your hands. He 
 standeth at the door, and knocketh ; in the form, 
 21 
 
322 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 indeed, of a servant, in the sick and miserable 
 around you. Open then unto Him {Rev. iii. 19), 
 feed Him in the hungry, clothe Him in the naked 
 {St. Matt. XXV. 40), receive Him in His little ones 
 {St. Matt, xviii. 5), visit Him in the prisoners, bind 
 up His wounds in the sick, and accompany Him 
 in the dead to His last resting-place. 
 
 Yours is a blessed office, but one also beset 
 with difficulties. How soon will the hands 
 become weary and the knees feeble {Isa. xxxv. 
 3). Yet, thanks be to God, ye know the Bride- 
 groom of your souls, when He comes to you in 
 other form than that of a servant ; ye know Him 
 as the Lord of Glory, who anoints with the oil of 
 gladness of His Holy Spirit. Therefore have ye 
 desired this feast of mercy. Ye say, I have need 
 to be fed of Thee, and comest Thou to me } 
 
 And lo, He is here, the King of Glory, and 
 saith, " Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are 
 heavy laden, and I will refresh you." Then He, 
 the Bridegroom, standeth in glorious Majesty. 
 He desires to adorn you with His wedding gar- 
 ment — to give you Himself and all His Divine 
 power, in the Communion of His Body and Blood ; 
 and ye have well done that ye are come. All 
 
At Home and Abroad. 323 
 
 things are ready. Open, then, your hands, your 
 mouth, your heart, and receive of His fulness, 
 grace for grace {St. John i. 16). Yea, taste and 
 see how gracious the Lord is. Blessed is the man 
 that trusteth in Him. 
 
 ^ During the administration^ is sung : 
 O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, Who takest away 
 the sins of the world : have mercy upon us. O 
 Christ, Thou Lamb of God, Who takest away the 
 sins of the world : have mercy upon us. O Christ, 
 Thou Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of 
 the world : grant us Thy peace. Amen. 
 
 THE THANKSGIVING. 
 
 CONCLUDING HYMN. 
 
 Source of all bliss and joy divine, 
 My deepest love, Lord, is Thine. 
 To feed, to clothe, to solace Thee, 
 O Saviour, this is granted me. 
 
 When in true thankful love we bear 
 The poor man's burden, grief and care, 
 These words to us are sent from Thee, 
 Come, O ye blessed, unto Me. 
 
 All those who little children love, 
 Whose tender hearts with pity move 
 For ev'ry sufferer here below. 
 For the lone captives in their wge. 
 
324 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 Those wlio behold the poors' sad tears, 
 And still their weeping and their fears, 
 To them a bright reward Thou'lt be, 
 A shield, a guard, a panoply. 
 
 "With heavenly fire then fill each hearv 
 O Jesus, and to us impart 
 Still more of love, until it be 
 Our highest, chief felicity. 
 On earth to minister to Thee. 
 
 IT Then the blessing is sung : 
 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the 
 love of our God, and the fellowship of the Holy 
 Ghost, be with us all. Ame7t, 
 
 II. QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION. 
 The following is a series of questions for self- 
 examination, prepared with especial reference to 
 Deaconesses, by Pastor Fliedner. He has ar- 
 ranged others for those who are preparing to re- 
 ceive the Holy Communion. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 In order that the Sisters may become better 
 prepared to perform their earthly duties to the 
 honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, and more fitted to 
 receive the heavenly treasure (^Rev. ii. 17), we 
 have arranged some questions for self-examina- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 325 
 
 tion, which they are required to ask themselves, 
 in the presence of God, at least once every week. 
 
 QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION FOR DEA- 
 CONESSES AND PROBATIONARY SISTERS = 
 
 Kneel down, my Sister, in silence and deep 
 humility, before the Holy God, Who is a judge 
 of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and pray 
 thus with David : " Lord, Thou searchest me out 
 and knowest me ; Thou knowest my down- 
 sitting and mine up-rising ; Thou understandest 
 my thoughts afar off. Thou art about my path, 
 and about my bed, and searchest out all my 
 Ways. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue 
 but Thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. Try 
 me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart ; 
 prove me and examine my thoughts. Look well 
 if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead 
 me in the way everlasting. 
 
 Thou dost admonish us by Thine Apostle, 
 '' Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, 
 prove your own selves." O Lord, I must confess 
 with him that I am not sufficient of myself to 
 think any good thing ; but do Thou enlighten the 
 eyes of my understanding that I may know how I 
 
326 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 stand before Thee. And grant Thy blessing to 
 me during this examination, that it may be to Thy 
 honor and my own salvation. 
 
 CONCERNING THE MORNING. 
 
 1. Did I, on waking, think first of God, with 
 praise and thanksgiving {Ps. Ivi. 3, 7), or of 
 earthly things ? 
 
 2. Did I pray for renewed grace and forgive- 
 ness, for fresh love, humility and wisdom, to 
 enable me to perform my duty for our Saviour 
 Jesus Christ's sake ? 
 
 3. Did I omit to mention in my prayers those 
 committed to my care {Ep/i. i. 15-19), the Sisters, 
 those dwelling with me, my relations, my 
 spiritual pastor, and all others who are set in 
 authority over me } 
 
 4. Did I pray that I might all the day do every- 
 thing as in God's sight, seeking the approbation 
 of my Saviour, not desiring to please men ? 
 
 5. Did I rise punctually and dress quickly, 
 with due regard to propriety and neatness, but 
 without ministering to vanity } 
 
 6. Did I in silence collect my thoughts and 
 prepare myself for the united morning devo- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 327 
 
 tions ? Did I unnecessarily omit them ? Did I 
 join in them with my whole heart, and seek to 
 make them profitable to myself? 
 
 Concerning External Duties. 
 
 7. Did I take care that the rooms intrusted to 
 my charge should be at the proper time swept, 
 arranged, aired, warmed, etc., and when I had to 
 provide for the bodily wants of others, did I do 
 so kindly and faithfully t 
 
 8. When I had to nurse the sick, did I endea- 
 vor to be present at the visits of the physician } 
 Did 1 carefully listen to his directions, and con- 
 scientiously follow them } 
 
 9. Did I take care that those intrusted to me 
 obtained wholesome and sufficient food, accord- 
 ing to his directions } and if this was not the 
 case, did I hesitate to give information in the 
 right quarter } Did I, as far as I was able, pre- 
 vent those intrusted to my care from eating too 
 much, or forbidden food, or becoming in other 
 ways spoiled or pampered } 
 
 10. When I had to attend upon the sick or 
 poor children, did I care for their bodily wants, 
 for order and cleanliness, and lead them, as much 
 
328 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 as possible, to maintain this, and to employ them- 
 selves in suitable and useful occupations ? 
 
 11. Have I myself industriously endeavored to 
 learn such occupations. — e.g., needle- work, gar- 
 dening, etc., as well as simple surgical opera- 
 tions .-* 
 
 Concerning Spiritual Duties and Teachings. 
 
 12. When I had to assist those intrusted to 
 my care at their devotions,^ did I carefully pre- 
 pare myself for it, and seek to make it edifying 
 and instructive to them, and not keep them too 
 long } 
 
 13. When I had to take care of and give 
 instruction to children or other pupils, did I 
 carefully prepare myself beforehand, and impart 
 it faithfully, looking up to God } Did I watch 
 over them as much as possible during their 
 school hours } Have I endeavored to train their 
 hearts and souls aright, and sought to bring 
 them up in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord } {Eph. vi. 4.) 
 
 14. Have I endeavored to make him who has 
 
 * As it is not thie custom in Germany generally to use forms 
 of prayer, the Sisters have to pray without a book. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 329 
 
 the care of their souls, acquainted with their 
 spiritual wants, and as f^r as I could, sought 
 pastoral counsel to assist me in training them 
 religiously, and acted upon it ? 
 
 15. Have I procured for them, as far as it was 
 in my power, a sufficiency of spiritual food,— ^. g. 
 religious books, but above all the Bible, and tried 
 to direct them so that they might read profita- 
 bly ? 
 
 16. Have I sufficiently sought to cheer and 
 gladden my sick children,—^, g. by taking walks 
 with them, singing, telling tales, playing, and so 
 on,— teaching them to rejoice in the Lord alway? 
 
 {PML iv. 4.) 
 
 17. Have I led them 'to sanctify Sunday and 
 holy-days, and spend them profitably for their 
 souls, as well during Divine service as before and 
 after ; and in doing this, sufficiently considered 
 the circumstances of each ? 
 
 Concerning my conduct to tlie Sisters and Siipe- 
 riorSy and others. 
 
 18. Have I endeavored to show sincere love to 
 those living with me, especially to the Sisters, 
 that we might be of one mind in the Lord ? (As 
 
330 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 St. Paul admonishes Euodlas and Syntyche. 
 (Eph. IV. 2). Have I allowed ''the sun to go 
 down upon my wrath" (Eph, iv. 26), or sought 
 Christian reconciliation before going to rest } 
 (^///. iv. 31, 32.) 
 
 19. Have I always been obedient to the Sis- 
 ters immediately set over me, as well as to 
 my other superiors, with child-like submission, 
 without murmuring or complaining to others, 
 according to the admonition of St. Paul 1 (i Thess. 
 V. 12, 13 ; I St. Pet. ii. 13, 16). Have I allowed 
 any feelings of bitterness or anger or dislike to 
 arise in my mind towards those who blamed me .^ 
 or if such arose, did I immediately recognize 
 their sinfulness, strive to overcome them, confess 
 them to the Lord and earnestly beseech Him to 
 give me a kind and affectionate heart ? 
 
 20. If any duties which had been imposed 
 upon me seemed too difficult or unsuited for me, 
 did I first mention this to the Sister immediately 
 set over me } and if I thought she treated me 
 unjustly, did I complain of her treatment to the 
 other Sisters, and judge her uncharitably .? or did 
 I for the time being endure the evil with a meek 
 and quiet spirit (according to the Apostle's ad- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 331 
 
 monition (i St. Pet. ii. 19), and then seek redress 
 from those still higher in authority. 
 
 21. Have I concealed anything from my supe- 
 riors which I was conscientiously or by the rules 
 of the house bound to tell them immediately, 
 whether it related to myself or others, or the 
 institution. 
 
 22. If other Sisters have been placed under my 
 care, that I might direct them in their work or 
 receive assistance from them, did I always treat 
 them with kindness, meekness, and humility, as 
 our Saviour teaches us by His example (5A John 
 xiii. 2-15,) and by His word (St. Mark x. 42-45 ; 
 and St. Matt. vii. 12.) If it became my duty to 
 admonish or punish, have I endeavored to do it 
 always in a spirit of holy love, and as kindly as 
 possible in words and manner, also as privately 
 as could be } {St. Matt, xviii. 15, 16.) Did I pre- 
 pare myself for it by looking up to God, and did 
 I pray for the offender ">. {St. James v. 16.) 
 
 23. Has the fear of man, or the desire to please 
 man, led me to be silent when my duty required 
 me to admonish or punish ? (5/. Liike xvii. 3, 4 ; 
 Ep/i. V. II ; Gal. i. 10 ; i Sam. iii. 13 ; Isa. Ivi. 10; 
 Prov. xxvii. 23.) 
 
332 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 24. In my work did I look upon my own things 
 instead of on those of others, or seek to impose 
 the difficult and disagreeable duties upon others, 
 instead of rather doing them when I could myself 
 as a servant of the Sisters, for Jesus' sake ? {Phil. 
 
 ii. 3, 4-) 
 
 25. Have I kept my tongue in check, avoiding 
 all frivolous and useless gossiping, both with the 
 Sisters, patients, and others residing in the house, 
 and avoided an unsuitable intimacy with the two 
 last classes of persons ? (5^. James ii. 26.) 
 Have I related things which I ought not, to 
 strangers, about the Sisters ? 
 
 26. Have I shown a partial love towards some 
 Sisters, and, on the contrary, repelled others ? 
 
 27. Have I remembered in my prayers all the 
 wants of our Deaconess' Institution, and all the 
 Sisters connected with it : also all other similar 
 institutions and missionary societies for the 
 extension of the Protestant Church ? 
 
 28. (If stationed far from Kaiserswerth,) have 
 I endeavored to keep up the connection with our 
 parent house, by regular correspondence and 
 reports, by keeping monthly hours, (of prayer,) 
 and following the other directions of the Superi- 
 
At Home and Abroad. 333 
 
 ors there, have I tried to excite in those around 
 me sympathy for it ? 
 
 29. Have I during the time of my service in 
 this part of the Lord's vineyard, endeavored 
 always to maintain a serious, dignified, and 
 reserved behavior, as is becoming a Deaconess of 
 the Lord, and not sought the intimate acquaint- 
 ance of any man ? (i Cor. vii. 34.) 
 
 Concerning the training of my own soul, and my 
 improvement in performing the duties of a 
 Deaconess. 
 
 30. Do I accustom myself daily to hold com- 
 munion with the Lord in prayer at other times 
 besides the fixed hours of prayer ? (i Thess. v. 
 17 ; Col iv. 2 ; St. Luke vi. 9, 13 ; ^t- John xiv. 
 13, 14 ; Ps. Ixxiii. 28.) 
 
 31. Do I diligently read the Holy Scriptures 
 (^Acts xxii. 11), that they may be profitable to 
 me for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for 
 instruction in righteousness ? (2 Tim. iii. 16 ; St. 
 John V. 39 ; Ps. cxix. 10, 5.) 
 
 32. Have I been led to acknowlecge my 
 sinfulness by diligent examination of my heart 
 and conduct, and with penitent faith earnestly 
 
331- Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 prayed for forgiveness of my sins and my regen- 
 eration by the Holy Ghost, and if not, do I daily 
 pray for it? (2 Cor. xiii. 5 ; Acts xix. 2 ) 2 St. 
 Pet. i. 10, II ; Rom. viii. 14-16 ; St. Matt. v. 3-9.) 
 
 33. Do-I endeavor to prove myself a disciple 
 of the Lord Jesus by a constant endeavor to 
 become lowly in my own eyes (as. David, as St. 
 John the Baptist and St. Paul, (2 Sam. vi. 22 ; St. 
 John iii. 30 ; 2 Cor. iv. 16 ; xii. 9, 10,) by firmly 
 renouncing the world and its pleasures (i St. 
 John ii. 15, 17,) by purifying myself from all 
 pollution of the flesh and spirit, especially from 
 my favorite sins, by a daily advancing in holiness 
 and in the fear of God (2 Cor. vii. i ; Phil. iii. 12, 
 14), and by bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit } 
 {Gal. V. 22.) 
 
 34. Have I spent the whole of Sunday as the 
 Lord's day, and exclusively in His service .'* {Isa. 
 Iviii. 13.) Did I prepare myself for the public 
 service by self-examination, by collecting my 
 thoughts and withdrawing my mind from earthly 
 cares, by reading the Holy Scriptures, that the 
 Lord might open my heart to attend to the 
 things spoken } {Acts. xvi. 14; Eccks. v. i, 2 ; Ps. 
 xxvi. 6.) Have I been present at Divine Service 
 
At Home and Abroad. 335 
 
 as often as I could, and solemnly pondered what 
 I there heard in my heart ? (5/. Lttke ii. 19 ; Heb. 
 X. 15 ; St. Matt. xv!ii. 20 ; xxxi. 55 \ Acts ii. 46.) 
 Have I endeavored to spend the time after service 
 for my own bodily and spiritual strengthening 
 and refreshing, remembering to keep holy the 
 Sabbath day ? 
 
 35. Have I diligently thought on my baptis- 
 mal vows, and on their renewal in the presence 
 of God at Confirmation ? {Eccles. v. 3, 4 ; Ps. i. 
 14, 16, 17.) 
 
 36. Has the frequent thought of the sufferings 
 and death of Christ been to me a shield to quench 
 the fiery darts of the wicked one ? {Eph. iv. 16.) 
 
 37. Have I embraced every opportunity of 
 receiving the Holy Communion, endeavored to 
 receive it worthily, and then, as at other times, 
 sought the advice of him who has the care of my 
 soul ? 
 
 38. Do I seek to enrich my mind with Christian 
 and other useful knowledge, as it is profitable for 
 my office ? Do I take advantage of the lessons 
 offered to me, and use all other opportunities of 
 improvement faithfully, to the honor of God ? 
 Do I endeavor to do this when I am stationed 
 
336 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 far off, and obtain for this purpose advice from the 
 parent house ? Do I allow myself to be so ab- 
 sorbed in learning or teaching that it leads my 
 soul rather away from, than to God ? Do I seek 
 so to turn all my learning and teaching to His 
 service, that the acknowledging of the truth may 
 lead me to eternal life, that I may grow in grace 
 and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ ? [Tit. i. I, 2 ; 52f. Pet. iii. i8 ; 2 St. Tim. 
 ii. 25, 26.) 
 
 39. Have I omitted to take care of my bodily 
 health, as it is my duty, by enjoying fresh air at 
 the appointed times, by moderation in eating 
 and drinking, not indulging my appetite, or 
 breaking the rules of the house ? (i St. Tim. v. 23 ; 
 I Cor. X. 31.) 
 
 40. Do I regularly consider the rules of the 
 house and the duties of my office there set forth, 
 and the passages in the Bible upon which they 
 are founded {Rules for the House, § 3-5), and my 
 vows as a Deaconess ? Do I use these questions 
 once every week ? 
 
 41. Do I earnestly struggle against all vanity, 
 keeping conscientiously to the prescribed dress, 
 
 adorning myself with the ornaments required in 
 
At Home and Abroad. 337 
 
 Holy Scripture ? (i 5/. Tim. ii. 9 ; i St. Pet. iii. 3, 
 
 4-} 
 
 42. Have I sought to be faithful in that which 
 is least {St. Luke xvi. 10), obeying all other pre- 
 scribed rules for the Lord's sake, however unim- 
 portant they may seem, that no loss or injury may 
 occur to the institution which I serve, through my 
 fault ? {St. Jolin vi. 12.) Do I remember that our 
 institution is only supported by charity, and 
 receive all that is given me with thanksgiving ? 
 
 43. When not permitted to see the fruits of my 
 labor, have I allowed myself to grow desponding 
 and idle in my work instead of hoping ever against 
 hope, and looking upon myself as a sower who 
 must wait patiently for the blessing from heaven ? 
 {St. James v. 7, 8), and trusting in God's 
 promises ? {Isa. xlix. 14 ; Iv. 10, 11 ; Ps. xc. 16.) 
 44- If God allow55 me to see the good seed 
 spring up into the hearts of any amongst whom 
 I labor, do I give all the glory to Him Who has 
 given me power and opportunity, and acknow- 
 ledge myself an unprofitable servant ? {St, Luke 
 xvii. 10.) 
 
 45. Have I in all my actions, even when not 
 actively employed in the duties of my office, 
 22 
 
338 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 sought to show that I am the Lord's servant, 
 giving offence to none, but rather seeking the 
 honor of the Sisterhood ? (2. Cor. vi. 3.) 
 
 46. Do I daily endeavor to give up my will 
 more entirely to God, forgetting those things 
 which are behind {Phil. iii. 13 ; St. Ltike ix. 62), 
 forsaking with my whole heart all that I have 
 {St. Ltike xiv. 33), even all those which were 
 formerly my favorite thoughts and wishes, that 
 they may not disturb me in my holy service, that 
 I may be able to serve the Lord Jesus always 
 with more faithfulness, perseverance, and self- 
 denial, in His vineyard ? 
 
 47. Do I receive all the sufferings which God 
 sends me, with submission ? Do I seek by them 
 to grow in patience, in renouncing my own will 
 in obedience to the will of God ? {Heb. x. 35, 36 ; 
 St. Matt. xvi. 14, 25.) Do I cast all my care for 
 the future upon Him, knowing that His grace is 
 sufficient for me (2 Cor. xii. 9), so that my mind 
 may not be moved from the peace of God and 
 the simplicity which is in Christ Jesus, that I may 
 seek to rejoice in Him alway, and to be careful 
 for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and 
 supplication with thanksgiving, make my requests 
 
At Home and Abroad. 
 
 339 
 
 known unto God ? (2 Cor. xi. 3 ; Phil. iv. 4-7 ; Si. 
 Matt. vi. 31-34.) 
 
 48. Is it my joy to be dead indeed unto the 
 world, to walk by faith, having my life hid with 
 Christ in God ? {Col. iii. 1-3 ; Gal. ii. 20.) 
 
 49. Is my aim in every thought and deed to 
 advance the glory of God and my own salvation, 
 as well as that of others, so that I am able to say 
 *' to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain "? 
 {Phil. i. 21.) 
 
 III. 
 
 EXTRACTS EROM RULES FOR DEACONESSES. 
 
 Any person who wishes to become a Deacon- 
 ess^ must be able to read well, write, and know 
 something of arithmetic. She must be eighteen, 
 and usually not above forty. She must express 
 her wish in writing to the directors, and send 
 with it — 
 
 1. A certificate of Baptism. 
 
 2. A short account of her life, composed by 
 herself. 
 
 * Many more educational qualifications are required of those 
 who are to be especially trained for Teaching-Deaconesees in 
 the Training School. 
 
340 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 3. A testimonial of good moral character from 
 her pastor. 
 
 4. A medical certificate of good health. 
 
 She must obtain the consent of her parents, if 
 living. 
 
 Every Deaconess must go through a proba- 
 tionary period of from six to twelve months : 
 this time shall be extended, if it seem desirable, 
 to two, or even three years. It is to be spent in 
 the institution. The probationary Sister is 
 expected to perform cheerfully all the work 
 imposed on her, and in a docile spirit to receive 
 all the instructions and directions given her.* 
 
 When she becomes a Deaconess she receives 
 a salary of ;^3 155. ($18.30.) 
 
 A Deaconess is not received unless she be 
 elected by a majority of those then residing in 
 the house. 
 
 Some special Duties of the Sisters. 
 
 To observe punctually the directions of the 
 
 doctor with regard to medicine, nursing, and 
 
 * The Sisters are encouraged to make use of the library, and to 
 take every opportunity of obtaining such instruction as may 
 improve their minds and assist them in their work ; e. g. to 
 study foreign languages, and singing. A museum of natural 
 history is in progress. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 341 
 
 diet, lighting, warming, etc., without speaking 
 against his advice, and to inform him daily of 
 the patient's state. To make use of no remedies 
 but those prescribed by him. To send for a cler- 
 gyman as soon as the patient desires it. To 
 read to those of their own communion the Bible 
 or other edifying works, according to the direc- 
 tion of the clergyman. To pray with him, and 
 if the clergyman desire it, to inform him of the 
 patient's state of mind. 
 
 The Deaconess must endeavor to perform all 
 her duties without noise. She must be kind, 
 cheerful, patient, and watchful, so that it may 
 appear she serves the sick for Christ's sake. In 
 her spiritual care of the sick she must endeavor 
 to point out to them the love of God — that 
 though He wo'undeth, His hands make whole 
 (Job V. 18) ; that He allows us to suffer in the 
 flesh that we may cease from sin (i St. Pet. iv. 
 i) ; that He makes whole, that we may sin no 
 more [St. John v. 14) ; and that the works of God 
 may be made manifest in us. (St. John ix 1-3.) 
 She must consider her patients as those who, 
 by means of their cross, are placed in Christ's 
 school; she must be kind and patient, yet not 
 
342 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 always speak only of God's grace, but when 
 necessary, warn and exhort to listen to the 
 awakening voice from above. 
 
 '' Those whom I love I rebuke and chasten ; 
 be watchful, therefore^ and repent." (Rev. iii. 19.) 
 Especially, she must strive to promote Christian 
 resignation to God's will, that the patients may 
 not vex themselves with anxious thoughts about 
 their recovery, or worldly cares, but may cast 
 all their care upon God, in everything by prayer 
 and supplication, with thanksgiving, making 
 their requests known unto Him iPhil. iv. 6) ; car- 
 ing only for one thing, that they may please the 
 Lord ; whether they live, living to the Lord, or 
 whether dying, dying to Him. 
 
 The Deaconess must not allow the patients to 
 talk much of worldly things, nor even allow 
 them to converse so much on religious matters, 
 that they have not time for meditation, and 
 communion with God. This would besides be 
 injurious to herself. She must by no means dis- 
 pute with the sick, nor allow them to dispute 
 with one another about religion. She should 
 employ the patients in useful work, as far as 
 their strength will allow. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 343 
 
 Attendance on the sick in the town of Kaisers- 
 ivertJi and other "places. 
 
 If a Deaconess be required in a family, the 
 Superior shall first visit it and appoint a Sister or 
 Sisters. These Sisters shall not be assisted by 
 relations or friends in their treatment. If any 
 Sister finds her services superfluous she should 
 leave, since her duty is not to amuse or be simply 
 a companion. She shall take her meals alone, or 
 in the patient's room. She must observe a 
 prudent reserve in her conduct to all members of 
 the family, and devote herself entirely to her 
 patient. She must not repeat what she hears, 
 nor allow any gossiping with servants or others. 
 She must not go out except when it is necessary 
 to call the doctor or clergyman immediately. 
 She must not make acquaintance with or visit 
 the neighbors, the duties of her office allowing her 
 no time for it. If change of air be necessary, 
 permission will be granted to the Sisters to stay 
 with relations, or sometimes friends. A Sister is 
 not permitted to receive any presents ; should 
 they be pressed upon her, she must send all to 
 
344 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 the institution, to be placed in the Sisters' box, 
 the contents of which are devoted to Christmas 
 presents, etc., to the Sisters, or journeys for the 
 benefit of their health. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 345 
 
 4. 
 
 Sisters 0f Cljarita- 0f i\(t Samt^ oi i\it 
 
 €mlMxon oi i^z P0I5 €xobb, 
 
 St. Petersburgh, Russia. 
 
 THE following account of the Sisterhood of 
 the ''Society of the Exaltation of the Holy 
 Cross," was prepared a few years since, by the 
 Baroness de Rahden, first maid of honor to her 
 Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Helen of 
 Russia, at the request of the Rt. Rev. J. Freeman 
 Young, D.D., Bishop of Florida, to whom it was 
 originally addressed. It has been kindly furnished 
 by him for publication, having never before been 
 translated or printed. 
 
 " Sir, — I scarcely know how to excuse myself in your eyes, 
 for my long silence since tlie receipt of your parcel, and of the 
 kind letter which accompanied it. Whatever may have been 
 the numerous reasons which prevented me from answering at 
 once, I do not care to enumerate them, but prefer to throw 
 myself on your indulgence. Permit me to begin by thanking 
 you, in the name of Madame la Grande Duchesse Hdl6ne. Her 
 Imperial Highness was greatly touched by your promptness 
 to serve her, as also by the kindness of the Reverend Dr 
 Muhlenberg. His book affords valuable information with 
 regard to the hospitals, and will remain in the library of the 
 
346 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Grande Dacliesse, as a souvenir of the fraternal spirit existing 
 among all engaged in doing good. In exchange for the 'carte,' 
 which Dr. Muhlenberg sent -with his work, Madame la Grande 
 Duchesse begs he will accept the enclosed portrait. The other 
 copy is for yourself, as also the photographs of the Superior 
 of our Sisters of Charity, Elizabeth Kartzoflf, of the Priest of 
 the Society, Father Constantine Stefanowitch, and of the Phy- 
 sician-in-chief, Doctor Tarassoff. You wished to have some 
 historical notes on the foundation and progress of the ' Society 
 of the Exaltation of the Cross.' I give you them vnth pleasure, 
 together with the necessary dates and statistics. 
 
 "It was the Crimean war which first gave to Madame la 
 Grande Duchesse H^^ne, the first idea of the foundation of a 
 charitable society for the purpose of doing hospital and 
 ambulance work on the field of battle. Her Imperial Highness 
 made an appeal to the patriotism and charity of the Eussian 
 women, and soon quite a number presented themselves. The 
 Grande Duchesse, assisted by a council of competent persons, 
 presided herself, in the choice of candidates, who should serve an 
 apprenticeship during a given length of time, in order to become 
 accustomed to the arduous duties which would eventually de- 
 volve upon them. By means of zeal and good will, the difficul- 
 ties which constantly arise in the organization of this work, so 
 entirely new in our country, are slowly but surely overcome. 
 
 " I recall with much emotion, that time of anguish and enthu- 
 siasm, when each endeavored to take his share in the heroic 
 struggle of our country against combined Europe. There was 
 a general spirit of emulation in sending to the army, lint, 
 linen, clothing, medicines, tea, dainties, etc. The palace of 
 the Grande Duchesse H^lfene, resembled a large depot, where 
 were collected together all these pious donations. As soon as 
 there was a sufficient quantity on hand, her Imperial High- 
 ness forwarded them to the Crimea, generally under the care of 
 an employee of her own household, who placed them in the 
 hands of the Sisters of the Cross, to be conscientiously distri- 
 buted in the hospitals. 
 
At Home and Abroad. 347 
 
 "But to return to the subject. On tlie 4tli of November, 1854, 
 a first division of Sisters, under the direction of Mme. Stahowitch, 
 the widow of an infantry Colonel, set out for the Crimea, 
 accompanied by a physician, Doctor Tarassoflf, and by a priest 
 who was to be to them a confessor. On the 5th of December, 
 of the same yeajr, a second division followed them, under the 
 direction of Sister Baconnino, one of the most devoted heroines 
 of that phalanx of courageous and indefatigable women. Two 
 physicians accompanied them. The Grands Duchesse H^l^ne 
 employed, at her own expense, during the campaign, five dis- 
 tinguished physicians, specially recommended by the Univer- 
 sities of the country. It would occupy too much space to give 
 the dates of the departures of each of these Societies of Sisters. 
 At the end of the year 1855, they numbered in all, 203, which 
 had gone to the Crimea at Sebastopol, Bakhtchisarai, and 
 Simferofol — at Cherson, Nikolaew, Elisabethgrad, and at Fin- 
 lande, Helsingfors, Abo, and Wibourg. 
 
 "Before leaving, they took a very simple oath, which bound 
 them for one year, and in which they promised obedience to 
 their Superiors and charity toward the sick, for the love of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. Their rules were contained in a few sen- 
 tences. The service of God in the persons of the sick and 
 wounded comprised the whole. Their costume, simple, con- 
 venient, and scrupulously neat, was an object of special care to 
 the Grande Duchesse, who understood the importance of 
 garments peculiarly adapted to this kind of work. 
 
 *' The Sisters had dresses of dark brown merino, with a deep 
 cape, white collar and cufis, and white apron, and a cap of a 
 peculiar shape. A light blue ribbon held the gilt cross, which 
 they put about their neck on the day when they took their 
 vows of service. This cross had on one side the image of the 
 Saviour, with these, his own words : ' Take my yoke upon 
 you,' {St. 3fatt. xi. 29,) and on the other side, these words of 
 the Psalmist, 'The Lord is my strength.' {Psalm xviii. 1.) 
 
 "As you will have seen, by the letters of the Sisters, and by 
 the report of Dr. Pirogroff, which I gave you when you were in 
 
348 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 Kussia, tlie Sisters were placed in the various hospitals and 
 ambulances of Sebastopol, in small divisions, always under 
 the supervision of a Sister Superior, while the Superior-General 
 had the entire executive government of all the divisions. I will 
 not dwell in detail on the services rendered during th« war by 
 the Sisters of Charity. The grateful artny cherishes a tender 
 recollection of it. Our celebrated military surgeon, Dr. Piro- 
 gofif, who was their immediate chief, and to whom the Grande 
 Duchesse H^16ne had cypeciaUy entrusted the direction of the 
 community in the hospitals, awarded to them the most glorious 
 testimonials. This extraordinary man, whose medical genius 
 was only equalled by his high integrity, passed seven months 
 in the hospital at Sebastopol. His most faithful ally was the 
 Sister Baconnine, who remained on duty until the very last 
 moment, and did not cross the bridge, which was almost imme- 
 diately afterward destroyed, until the very last of her patients 
 had been conveyed to a place of safety. After the taking of the 
 tower of Malakoff, commenced the work of transporting the 
 sick to Simferofol, and to Bakhtchisarai, while the hospitals of 
 these two cities sent all their sick and wounded, who could be 
 moved, to Nikolaeff, Ekaterinoslaw, and other cities of the 
 Empire. Only those who understand the dreadful condition 
 of the roads of the peninsula, can appreciate the difficulties — I 
 might almost say martyrdom of these transportations, in the 
 months of October and November. Four times the Sister 
 Baconnine, and the nine Sisters under her, accompanied hun- 
 dreds of the wounded from Simferopol to Ekaterinoslaw, often 
 walking beside the carriages, wherein the wounded were 
 stretched out, bathing their wounds evening and morning, and 
 distributing warm drinks among them from time to time. 
 
 " It was .just at this time that illness and death came among 
 the communities. The first Superior-General, fatigued in body 
 and in mind, had set out on her return to St. Petersburg, with 
 several of the Sisters, also worn out with their labors, after a 
 year of hard work. Another Superior-General, the Sister 
 KartzofP, had taken her place, and governed the community with 
 
At Home and Abroad. 349 
 
 a rare intelligence. At Simferopol, the Sister Kaxtzo^' fouD J 
 herself at the head of the hospitals where the typhus fever was 
 raging. The ardor of the struggle was no longer sustained by 
 the hope of triumph. The inclemencies of a rainy autumn fol- 
 lowed the tropical heat of summer — devastating fever had suc- 
 ceeded to the somewhat lesser sufferings of the TV'ounded. A 
 renewed amount of energy and determination was requisite on 
 the part of the Sisters, but their strength was not equal to their 
 courage. The Superior-General was the first to fail. This irre- 
 parable loss left in the community a gap which nothing could 
 ever fill. Then the Sister Kartzoff was removed for many lono- 
 weeks by malignant typhus from her post of duty. The Sister 
 Baconnine also narrowly escaped death. However, her irou 
 constitution gained the mastery, and it was to her that the 
 Grande Duchesse entrusted the post of Superior-General. 
 Eleven of the Sisters lie at rest in the Crimea, among the 
 brave soldiers whose death agonies they had helped to soothe. 
 Two of the Sisters died in Finland during the war. ' Blessed 
 are the dead which die in the Lord. They rest from theii 
 labors, and their works do follow them.' (Apocalypse xiv. 13.) 
 
 "After the peace, as fast as the hospitals were organized in 
 the south, the Sisters set out again for Petersburg, some to 
 return to their families, some to devote themselves forever to 
 the care of the poor and the sick. The groundwork of the 
 Grande Duchesse, though temporary originally, was destined 
 to take deep root throughout the country. One band of Sisters 
 (31) adopted voluntarily the doctrines of the Grande Duchesse, 
 with regard to the future permanency of the Community. 
 Her Highness allowed them to occupy one wing of her palace, 
 while they were awaiting more permanent arrangements, and 
 applied at hospital head-quarters, in order to obtain for them 
 appointments to a neW field of activity. As in all countries of 
 the world, there was a strong opposition to the introduction of 
 Sisters into the hospitals. Through the influence of the Grande 
 Duchesse they were, however, tolerated in one of the hospitals 
 — one of those least cared for by the city, that of the working 
 
350 SlSl ERHOODS AND DEACONESSES 
 
 people, where the mortality had been greatest, typhus fever 
 almost continual, and the administration almost wholly 
 neglected. Their rough apprenticeship during the war had 
 been of advantage to the Sisters, and they went to work with 
 great zeal. At first only tolerated, they soon became indispen- 
 sable — ^the laundry as well as the kitchen was the object of 
 special care, and the hospital underwent an entire change. At 
 the end of two years, the Sisters were as much loved and re- 
 spected, as in the hospitals of the Crimea, and they themselves 
 are so much attached to the hospitals, that, notwithstanding 
 their arduous duties, they feel it a privilege to remain 
 there. 
 
 * • Is it not a lasting glory to human nature to witness the increase 
 of zeal, in proportion to the emergencies of the case. Already 
 the Minister of the Marine, under the enlightened influence of 
 the Grand Duke Constantine, had willingly opened to them the 
 gates of his hospitals (in 1856). The Grande Duchesse Hel^ne 
 established them in the Child's Hospital (in 1858), and in Max- 
 imilian's Hospital (in 1857), which are under her jurisdiction. 
 Finally the Minister of War called meetings of them (hi 1862), 
 and continued to do so. The insurrection of Poland (in 1863), 
 rendered it necessary that some of the Sisters should be sent to 
 the western provinces of the Empire. At Wilna (in 1864) the 
 government had entrusted to them the care of the Foundling 
 Hospital. At the time of which we write, the Sisters were thus 
 divided — at the first grand Hospital at St. Petersburg, seventeen 
 Sisters and one Superior. At the Marine Hospital at St. 
 Petersburg, six Sisters and one Superior. At the Workman's 
 Hospital at St. Petersburg, eight Sisters and one Superior. At 
 the Maximilian Hospital, two Sisters. At the Child's Hospital, 
 one Sister and two novices. At the Hospital for Women, or 
 Mothers' Home, one Sister, and all the novices in rotation. At 
 Wilna, in the Foundling Hospital, three Sisters. The ambu- 
 lance, in the Mothers' Home, the school, visiting the poor at 
 their homes, and the various duties of the establishment, occupy 
 the remainder of the Sisters, who number in all sixty-one, with 
 
At Home and Abroad. 351 
 
 nine novices. These last necessarily vary in number, from 
 time to time. 
 
 "After having paused at the temporary establishment of the 
 Community at the Palace Michel, we must first follow it to a 
 rented house, at Gail, where it remained for a period of two years, 
 and thence to a house which the Grande Duchesse He'lene secured 
 for the Sisters of Charity, and which they occupied after July, 
 1859. Situated between two of the most thickly-inhabited dis- 
 tricts of the city, the Mothers' Home of the Society of the Ex- 
 altation of the Cross, is eminently adapted as the abode of the 
 Sisters. In fact, their field of usefulness, at first limited to the 
 care of the sick and wounded in the military hospitals during 
 the war, has by degrees extended itself over an almost unlimited 
 area. The principle established as the basis of rule by their 
 august founder is this, — that all human suffering, which appeals 
 to charity, comes within the sphere of duty of the Sisters. This 
 very broad principle necessitated a wise moderation in the ex- 
 ecution of duty, or, if I may so express myself, a central con- 
 centration. It was resolved that the care of the sick poor should 
 always be of the first importance, either in the hospital, the 
 ambulance, or the dwelling.. The care of sick who were able 
 to pay is absolutely forbidden, except in very extreme cases. In 
 the care of the sick is naturally comprised visitation of the poor 
 at the'r own homes, and the necessary duties pertaining thereto, 
 as well as the visitation of hospitals for workmen, and asylums 
 for old men. After this come the schools and homes for 
 orphans, prisons, etc. 
 
 "I speak only of what comprises the field of activity of the 
 Sisters. It is very probable that it wiU not become materially 
 extended, though attaining larger ]3roportions in the various 
 branches ;but if any unforeseen trouble should arise, the assist- 
 ance of the Sisters would be at once soHcited, iinless directly 
 forbidden by their rules. At this very time, for example, when 
 the ei)idemic which has spread among our working classes, has 
 made many orphans, without homes or support, the Society of 
 Sisters, moved to pity by the sight of these little forsaken 
 
352 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 creatures, applied to the Grande Ducliesse Ilclene, and with her 
 assistance, and that of the benevolent Society of St. Peters- 
 burg, a temporary asylum for orphans is about to be established, 
 under the direct care of the Superior. Servants of the poor, 
 for the love of Jesus Christ, they give food and drink to those 
 who hunger and thirst, they clothe the naked, nurse the sick, 
 and visit those who are in prison, without distinction of age, 
 faith, or nationality, 
 
 " The Mothers' Home serves as a dwelling for the Sisters 
 who have an office among the Community. Such are the Sister 
 Superior, the Sister Econouse, the Sister Maitrosse, the Nuns, 
 the Sisters charged to visit the sick, the Sisters of the school, 
 the Sisters who direct the hospitals for women and for children, 
 the Sisters who do the work of the hospital for workingmen, the 
 Nuns, and the old, infirm Sisters. The maison mhve, sup- 
 plies as charity, a Woman's Hospital, of fifteen beds, opened 
 in 1860. It is in this hospital that the nuns serve their appren- 
 ticeship, of the care to be given the sick, A Child's Hospital 
 of twelve beds,* a school for twenty little poor girls, and an 
 ambulance, of which I will speak more in detail. 
 
 "Since the beginning of their labors in the hospital for 
 workmen, the Sisters had been struck with the serious condi- 
 tion, often almost desperate, in which the sick arrived at the 
 hospital. Wounds in the leg, so frequent in certain trades, was 
 neglected even to mortification, rotting of the bones, or even 
 fatal fevers—in a word, the sufferers struggled until the very 
 tools fell from their hands, before they would give up, and go 
 to the hospital. To the remonstrances of the Sisters, the 
 patients replied that they could not give up work just for a 
 slight wound or temporary ailment, and yield to others the 
 post wherein they earned their daily bread. What could be 
 answered to this argument? The Sisters had the happy idea to 
 make these workmen promise to return to them to be cared for, 
 in case of returning illness, and they could nurse them, "^hej- 
 
 * The Grande Duchesse is about building a child's hospital, of eighty- 
 beds, beside the Society of the Cross. 
 
At Home AxNd Abroad. 353 
 
 promised to dress their wounds, and to ask advice from the doc- 
 tors of the Society in case of illness. Soon, two or three persons 
 presented themselves to the Society. It seems that the 
 authori :ation given was a blessing, for the number of the sick 
 increased day by day. Doctor Tarassoff, a true brother of 
 charity, devoted an hour each morning to the little ambulance 
 which was almost imperceptibly formed. A room on the 
 ground floor was devoted to the dressing of wounds. At the 
 end of the lirst year, forty or fifty persons came every morning. 
 And soon Doctor Tarassoff was no longer equal to the 
 emergency. The Sisters and novices, in turn, dressed the 
 wounds, and prepared the medicines, which the Grande 
 Duchesse Helore gave gratis. 
 
 "The charity of the Sisters had succeeded. The working 
 population ran in crowds to the Society of the Exaltation of the 
 Cross. 'It became necessary twice to enlarge the apartment de- 
 voted to the ambulance. And now, four large rooms, receive 
 every morning and evening hundreds of persons, in need of 
 care, who arrive from all parts of the town. Eight doctors, 
 two of whom are more especially surgeons, examine the patients, 
 and write the necessary prescriptions. Small operations are 
 performed in a room devoted to this purpose ; the patients who 
 require several hours of rest, find a bed in a separate room, 
 where they can remain temporarily. A bathing apparatus is 
 connected with the ambulance — in fact every effort has been 
 made to furnish to the patients every requirement out of the 
 regular order of things. The medi ernes are prepared in the 
 pharmacy of the Community, by a Sister and her aids, and given 
 gratis. 
 
 "In 1861, 8000 persons, and even more, passed through the 
 ambulance ; in 1862, 14,000, in 1863, 19,400, and 1864, 23,000. 
 The Municipality de Petersburg, struck by the immense 
 amount of good wrought by this institution, has voted an 
 annual subscription of five thousand rubles, to pay for medi- 
 cines, and remunerate the physicians. From nine o'clock in 
 the morning, the court of the Society is full. With a patience 
 
 23 
 
354 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 and an abnegation worthy of all praise, the doctors remain at 
 their post until the last patient has been attended to. They 
 often do not leave until three in the afternoon. The Superior 
 herself, the Sister who superintends the "Women's Hospital 
 in the Mothers' Home, and all the Nuns, except those who are 
 on duty, devote their whole mornings to assisting the doctors. 
 What an apprenticeship for the Nuns, before being admitted to 
 the service of the hospitals ! What a school of practice for the 
 doctors ! What a blessing for the poor ! The example also has 
 done good. 
 
 ♦'Another ambulance has been established, under the care 
 of the philanthropic society, in a central part of the city. I 
 must still tell you of the government of the Society, and its 
 rules. The rules are elaborated, so to speak, every day. 
 Besides the fundamental principles, which are few and simple, 
 practise has built slowly, but surely and safely, the walls of the 
 edifice. Little by little, they have fixed what life itself only 
 outlined, and after ten years, they now arrange, sort, and regu- 
 late definitely what is, without written law, the rule of the House. 
 Naturally, terms of admission have been determined since the 
 first. During the war, the candidates took the dress of the 
 Sisters, and received the Cross after a short experience of three 
 or four months. The term of novitiate service varied from six 
 months to a year. During this time the novices are only 
 employed in the Mothers' Home, where they are initiated in all 
 that pertains to their vocation. The mistress of the Nuns, one 
 of the oldest Sisters, overlooks and directs them. To enter the 
 Society, they must be between eighteen and forty years of age — 
 of blameless character, good health, and knowing how to read 
 and ^vrite. After a year of service, which may be prolonged, 
 at tbe pleasure of the Council, the Novices take the dress of the 
 Sisters. 
 
 *' A religious ceremony, invoking the blessing of God on the 
 new Sister, accompanies this decisive act. In taking the dress, 
 each Sister promises one year of service — this promise is re- 
 newed every year, for five years. At the end of this term, the 
 
At Home and Abroad. 355 
 
 Sisters receive the Cross, and do not renew tbeir promise, for 
 it is understood that unless from very urgent causes, a Sister 
 who holds the Cross, will never of her free will leave the service. 
 It is in a very solemn manner that the Sisters receive the Cross. 
 They receive the sacrament the same day, or the day previous. 
 All the assembled Society assist in the religious act, by which 
 the priest, in giving them the Cross, consecrates in the name of 
 God, the voluntary sacrifice of their lives. No vow binds them 
 — the love of Christ and of their neighbor, alone, holds them. 
 
 "After the Crimean War» persons of all creeds entered the 
 ranks of the Society. "With an elevation of thought, worthy 
 the Christian Church, the rules still allow this. Catholics and 
 Protestants are equally welcome in the Society. Naturally, 
 religious life there, is purely orthodox. Morning and evening 
 prayers, divine services, pious lectures, follow each other with 
 regularity, under the spiritual guidance of the priest or con- 
 fessor of the Society. Except the prayers morning and even- 
 ing, the Sisters of this persuasion are not obliged to attend. 
 I have never heard a complaint of religious difference. To 
 understand such a remarkable state of things, it is necessary to 
 appreciate fully the spirit of inborn toleration which charac- 
 terizes the Russian people. 
 
 "The true toleration, is a more perfect phase of the develop- 
 ment of the Christian idea, in the world. Toleration of faith, 
 resembles mildness in strength. It is the serene expression of 
 an unshaken confidence. By the nature of things, the number 
 of Protestant and Catholic Sisters has greatly diminished since 
 the society no longer offers purely patriotic motives. In the 
 course of its six years' existence there were two or three conver- 
 sions from Protestantism to the orthodox faith. Beside the 
 reasoning persuasion of the Sisters — which it does not belong 
 to me to judge — the communion of prayer, the external in- 
 fiuence of an imposing form, have naturally affected their 
 minds. I believe that in the long run, unity o'f faith will assert 
 itself more and more, without apparent effort. 
 
 "It is even likely that in a few years, the Society will consist 
 
356 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses 
 
 only of orthodox Sisters ; but no uaxro-^, legal rule, wiU 
 exclude Christian souls of good will, belonging to other faiths. 
 The Superior governs and directs the Society — and to her, all 
 the different branches of the Society report. She decides 
 upon the order of service, and all interior details ; it is sho 
 ■who communicates with the authorities to whom are subordi- 
 nate the divisions of Sisters, established in the hospitals. 
 Nevertheless, all matters pertaining to the Society in general ; 
 all reception or dismission of Sisters, all expenses, however 
 slight, could not be decided by her, without the aid of the 
 Council. The Council is presided over by a ]ady chosen by the 
 Grande Duchesse, and represents all the exterior interests of 
 the Societj'^ — the controller of its books and accounts, the 
 defender of its rights and its people of business, relative to the 
 ministers with whom the Society is in relation. The members 
 of the Council are, the Superior, the Priest of the Society, the 
 Doctor, and all the Sisters who have an administration to direct, 
 because they represent certain interests, which they are 
 required to report, and to protect against the central power. 
 The resolutions of the Council are submitted to the Grande 
 Duchesse, and sanctioned by her, before going into effect. 
 Up to the present time, the Grande Duchesse He'l^ne has 
 named the Superior and the officers, but it is now strongly 
 proposed to introduce an elective principle, by right of which 
 the Superiors will be elected every three years. The original 
 Superior, Elizabeth Kartzoff, is the Sister of the Chief staff- 
 officer of our army in Caucasus. At the head of the Society, 
 since 1860, she combines, with a rare experience, an administra- 
 tive talent quite exceptional, absolute devotion to her vocation, 
 and great simplicity. She is the guide and example of the 
 Sisters^always the first at work, and the last to rest. The 
 mode of nominating the Priest and the medical authorities is 
 not as yet definitely arranged. The Grande Duchesse is very 
 much occupied with these questions. She desires to leave 
 with the Society she so dearly loves, a sound organization, and 
 so well arranged that it can, after her death, go on steadily and 
 
At Home and Abroad. 357 
 
 iudependeutly, secure in the public esteem and public gratitude. 
 Much remains to be done— much to be thought of— nothing 
 must be hastily done in so important a work ; no detail, how- 
 ever small, must be neglected. 
 
 "I have put before you the life of the Society as concisely 
 and harmoniously as I could. Let it not be supposed I am 
 bUnd to the many imperfections of the work I love. I would 
 neither deny nor hide them. They often sadden and discourage 
 the Sisters themselves, but when I reflect on all that the 
 Society does, and all its merits, I say with the prophet of the 
 Old Testament, ''Blessed is the man whose strength is in 
 Thee ; in whose heart are the ways of them. Passing through 
 the valley of tears, they dig them a well ; they go %vith strength 
 to appear before God. (Ps. Ixxxiv. 5, 6, 7. ) 
 
 '*I end this long letter, dear sir, as I began it, with the 
 expressions of sentiments of high esteem, and sincere sympathy, 
 with which I am ever devotedly yours, 
 
 "Edith de Rahden." 
 
 St. Petershtrq, March 10-22, 1865. 
 
358 Sisterhoods and Deaconesses. 
 
 Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, 
 who, of Thy Divine providence hast appointed 
 divers Orders in Thy Church ; give Thy grace, 
 we humbly beseech Thee, to all those who are 
 to be called to any office and administration in 
 the same ; and so replenish them with the truth 
 of Thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency 
 of life, that they may faithfully serve before Thee, 
 to the glory of Thy great Name, and the benefit 
 of Thy Holy Church ; through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. Amen. 
 
1 
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