Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-08-20
OPENING A HOSPITAL.
ALL sEcTs AND RELIGIONS IN A
JERUSALEM CHARITY.

Turks, Christians, Jews and Greeks
Unite in Putting the Sisters of Charity
in Charge of the Building and Its
'work-An Impressive Scene.
Amost interesting article of The Jour.
nal des Debats describes a remarkable
scene which took place in Jerusalem.
The need of municipal hospital for the
reception of all the sick of the city had
long been felt in Jerusalem. The pasha,
an excellent man, has Just carried out
this important work, which had already
been begun by his predecessor, Rahouf
Pasha.
But whom to put in care of the sickl
Jewish nurses?-for half the population
is Jewish, and $4,000 more Jews from
Russia are expected. Or Mussulmans?-
for Mussulmans are also numerous. Or
Greeks or Armenians, Copts or Catho-
lies? The question long remained with
cut q solution.
Finally the president of the municipal
council, accompanied by two Effendis,
presented himself before Sister Sion, su-
perioress Of the Daughters Of Charity,
and asked her to give some of her nuns
for the service of the hospital. She at
once asked from her superiors the per-
mission to accept the invitation, and a
few days later the municipality itself
came to thank the sisters for their con-
sent, and beg them at once to arrange
the house for the reception of the sick.
There was no time to lose. In early
May they received their notice, and on
Sunday, May 10, the opening was to take
place in presence of Ibrahim Pasha and
the seraglio-that is to say, the council
composed of member of each national
ity, the heads Of all the religions and the
municipal council.
THE PRESENTATION.
For three days and three nights the
nuns had no rest. At midday on Sun
day the nuns were all summoned in Or
der to meet at o'clock in the large re-
cepGon room. At / o'clock the pasha
arrived in state and all the dignitaries
took their places. But the superior and
the sisters, where are they?
A carriage is heard approaching.
"Here they comeW At once serenade
began, and thousand voices cried
aloud, ''Long live the Sisters Of Chari-
tyr The soldiers presented arms; the
crowd pressed forward, so that the dra-
gomans had difficulty in making way
for the sisters But at length they as.
cended the main steps, preceded by the
dragomans.
On their entry all arose. "You are
welcome, sisters" said the pasha in ex.
cellent French. II am too much aston
ished at the appearance you have given
to this house, in which you have been
working for only three days, to be able
to congratulate you as ought" "You1
excellency, we have done our duty,
said Sister Sion. 81 am delighted" re.
piled the pasha, Sand we can only con
gratulate ourselves on our choice" The
whole meeting testified to their pro-
found sympathy and agreement. "De
you find anything wanting, gentlemen,
or is everything as you wish?" said the
pasha, turning to the authorities.
"For my part" said the grand rabbi
"the most beautiful thing I see in tht
hospital is the Sisters of Charity. Fol
five years we have watched them a
work, and they have never fallen shor
Of their professions. They have beer
mothers and sisters to all, whosoevel
they might be-"
AN INTERESTING SCENE.
Long live the Sisters of Charityv' wa
the cry on all sides, in the wards, tn
corridors, etc. All were full Of emo
ton. After the presentation the pash;
returned to the divan to take part il
a Turkish religious service. "Allah
Allahp' cried out the assistants, opening
wide their arms ead invoking blessing
Oh the sisters and the sick.
The military doctor, on being present
ed to Sister Sion, said, "Sister, be-
you to employ all your influence wit
the pasha to obtain me eight beds, s
that my poor sick soldiers may be prop
erly nursed."
Sixteen doctors of the city who ha
DCCn 1afAbC0 w b4O OpCA1l4S "SAO PAS
sented by the physician of the hospita
to the pasha and the sisters. The rabbis
tie Mussulman and Schismatic chief
came also to address their congratuls
tions to them. Finally the president c
the municipal council assembled all fth
personnel of the establishment before th
sisters
A moving scene then took place. Fl
caused all to swear respect to the sister
first of all the medical staff, then th
pharmacists, the nurses, cooks, garde1
ers and porters. Each came up accord
ing to his rank and swore in his ow
language and manner what was asked.
When the last had retired the pres
dent said: "Sisters, confde this hous
to you. You are at home. l need nc
beg you to act as mothers among you
children. Tablet.
A Monster Vessel of Olden Times.