The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-23

MaFy-COnsecratiOR of "a Candidate by
Bishop POtter-She Receives the Title
of 'Sister Agnes''-NOvel and Imposing
Services in ST. Luke's Church, Etc Etc.
Two years since new religious order. called the
Protestant Episcopal 'SlsterhOod OF ST. Mary" was
esab Ishod in TINS city nder the auspices of the RI
Rev. Bishop Potter and some of the leading clergy
of the diocese The rules of the organization pre-
scrlbed that its members should devote themselves
exclusively to works If mercy, by attending the SICK
aiding the poor, and disseminating Christian nstruc-
ton among The young.
The membership was limited to unmarried ladies,
widows over thirty; and, in oroer to be admitted,
it necessary Tor Them to make profession that
they would be subject 10 the rules of the institution
continue their pious labors TIL either the urgent
necessities OF their kindred or some special pro-
vidence called them from their sphere of duty. In
such cases the Bishop was empowered to release
them from their obiigat Ons. There now seven
SISTERS in the society, and there several on pro-
Daion in the House of Mercy, ST. Barnabas House
ana the as lum for chlldren, known as 'The Shell
lering ArHs." The members, and those anxious to
devote themselves to the same work, reside tLese
institutions.
CONSIDERATION OF NEW SISTER.
Yesterday was set apart tor the reception of lady
who bad been some Time on proOatlon as a candidate
tor admission to the sisterhoOd and the ceremony,
which was pecullar and imposing, took place before
a large congregation in st Luke's Church, Hudson
street. The service on the occasion was one ure.
pared specially by Bishop Potter.
At II O'Clock, amid a solemn voluntary, a large
clerical procession moved from the robingroom to
the chancel Among those near the altar were the
Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Rev. DR.. Morgan DIX,
Rector oil trinity Church; Rev. Or RiCheY, Rev,
DIR. 1uttle Rector OF st Luke's; Rev Mr.. Doane, of
Connecticut son OF the late Bishop Doane; Rev. MIR.
ShackleiOTd Rev. Mr.. Cookson, Rev. DIR. johnson,
OF BIookl n and Rev. Mr. HilYard
l. he members of the sistorhOOd with the new can
ddate for reception, each at!ired in he black habit
oil their order which resembles that of the Catholic
sis eIs Of Charity occupied seats in the front De vs.
near the Lectern.
were preceded by the ante communion service after
which the sisters knelt before the altar, while the
choir and congregation suug The granu hymn of
Whitsunttde, commencing
Come, Holy GHOST, Creator, come,
Inspire these souls OF hIne.
When the sounds of the GLORIA Patria with which
the hymn closed, had ded away,
Bishop Potter rose ana a. dressed the new sister
IN words of exhOrtatiOn. He SAID she had volun-
tai lily cometo devote herself TO the offices OF charity
and mercy the oIsteThOod OF St MarV, and TO
secrae herself to the hIgn and holy duties of her
profession He then offered prayer that God might
bestow on her the grace necessary to fulfil the self
imposed and pIOus oOhPations.
The Bishop then asked the new sister Il she was
ready 10 voluntarily devote herself exclusively TO the
work OF charity, and she replied in the Affirmative.
The bishops next question was If she would be sab
lect 70 the rules OF the sisterhood OF St. Mary and
he Bishop after some further questions offered
prayer ana az tne close pronounced that the sister
organization dedicated to st. Mary. r
lie then took her by the right hand, and acknow-
ledged her as member of the slsterho0d of st.
Mary, and at the same time gave her the title OF
"Sisier Agnes"-a name different from her own and
by which she will be known in future
W hen the Bishop had ended this portion of the
ceremony, the clergy In the chancel formed semi
circle round the new sister, and sung anhphonally
the hymn embodied in the service for the Ordination
OF PTiests:-
"oome, riolY Ghost, our souls inspire,
And hghten with celestial fire;
Thou, the amounting Spirit art, .
Who dOst thy seven-to d gifts impsLt."
The Communion Service followed the Ofertory
being devoted to the sisterhood After the Bishop,
asssted by DR. Tuttle had conseerated the clements
they were received bv the clergy, porliOn OF the
congregation and the sisterhood.
TIE services closed with the benediction.--Ne10
York HOTld