Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-09
LAID A CORNERSTONE.
Interest Aroused in the Prop osed Dencouess'
Home-A Successful Church Concert-An
Enjoyable Literary Entertainment-Other
H n,;ft Fran, 60 v,. Ci,cl,

Interest Aroused In the Prop osed Dencouess'
Home-A Successful Church Concert-An
Enjoyable Literary yEntertainment-Other
Drift From Society's Circle.
The cornerstone of the "Deaconess' Home"
which is to be center for philanthropic and
Christian work in the city was, iguratively
speaking, laid in the handsome drawing room
of Mrs. David McCargo's residence, in the East
End, yesterday afternoon, in the presence OF a
large number of society and philanthropic
ladies' Miss Jane Nj. Bancroft in parlor talk,
interested the ladies To such extent that II Is
safe to say the foundation was laid. Miss Ban
croft is a lady of high culture, in the broades'
sense, and spoke with the clearness anu ple-
cisIon that always indicates q thoroughly us
cipllned mind She has been engaged in tne
work of establishing "Deaconess' Homes pus
few months the remainder Of her lie having
been spent within college walls, and, lnoeeu' IL
was while in Europe, studying with the lnten-
tion of filling the chair of Professor OF History
in Vassar College. that sne pecame
interested in the work to wnicn sne 70
now devoting her time anu .ss. ento.
Her interest once awakened sne spent mon'ns ~.
in investigating the order of Deacouesses IN
all the capital cities of Europe. where they are
Thoroughly established as officers or the Protes,
Charitable and philanthropic work as con-
Quoted in those cities before returning to
America and beginning the work which mas
been such signal success, and wnlcn mas re-
Harrison and all the prominent Washington
ladies, beside those of Importance throughout
TIE country; she having already been instru-
mental in establishing homes in number OF
the large cities of the United States, and has
Pittsburg ION the lIst," she says "a city that
has been tlessed with such great gifts a. Mr..
Andrew Carnegie has bestowed will be quick
to aid in work that will benefit the poor and
suffering"
The Home" when erected, will be sup
ported by the churches, and its inmates will de-
vote themselves to the amelioration of surfer.
ing and discouragement of sin in hospital
wards, reformatories for women. charitabie
INSTITUTIONS and wherever they may md their
yervices required or needful. In its object the
Order of DeLconesses is similar to that OF the
nuns of the Catholic Church, who have always
assisted the priests in attending to the needy
oil the parish. but In organization and methods
IL Is radically different as a Deaconess may at
any time sever her connection with the order,
and no binding VOWS of any kind are taken ex.
cept to devote ones self to the promotion OF
Christianity and morality, and the relief of suf-
fering. Their uniforms, too. are very different
from those worn by the nuns, though uni
form IS necessary, as woman cl"tned In the
plain black gown and white collar OF the Dea-
cone>s order Is safe in traversng the streets
and penetrating any quarter of the city at any
hour of the day or night. A course of study
will be pursued In the Home" bv those who
devote themselves to the missionary branch,
and hose who intend doing nursing and hos
pital work will be fitted for it in some training
school connected with a no pital
The preceding, with number of other in
teresting details, were given by Miss Bancroft
in her talk. after which general conversation
by the ladies as to the best method of proceed
ure for the establishment of the Home" was
indulged in, and Continued at the beautifully
laid table in the dining room, to which they
were invited by the charming hostess, and
where they were served with delicious light re-
freshments.
Miss Rancroft will addraes tho Iadias on tho
subject at The Christ M. e. Church this after
noon at O'Clock, and tomorrow afternoon at
the same hour will speak at the Williamsburg
Methodist Church. Sunday morning she will
occupy the pulpit in the Smithfeld M. E.
Church, and Sunday evening will speak at the
Emory NJ. E. Church, East End.