Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-21

"sister Dora" Stephenson Talks Of the
Deaconess Movement in England.

L
DeacOness Movement in England.
1t 10 an easy probability that when the third
| ecumenical conference meets many women
will respond to the roll call Of delegates. There
| were no women in this conference, but several
| Of them accompanied husbands, and brothers.
and fathers, and many of the fair ones seem
| capable Of sustaining all the dignity which ID
supposed to belong to the Office Of delegate.
One Of the most energetic of these ladies' is
Misc Stephenson. daughter of Rev. Thomas
Bowman Stephenson, president Of the English
Methodist conference Miss Stephenson is Q
Wesleyan deaconess and among her associates
is known as ''Sister Dora" She il heartily in
sympathy with the good work OF retaining
children carried ON 90 extensively by her dis
tinguished father.
How she manages to do 90 much ia q mystery.
SIX little ones who were once friendless live in
the Stephenson residence, and these demand
more than little attention. Then there are
musical work and public speaking and weekly
meetings for consultation with the sisters who
are flaming at the Mewburn House, to say
nothing of hundI ed other time-occupying and
soul-saving engagements.
THE DEAcoNEss MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND.
The deaconess movement with US" said Miss
Stephenson &c STAB reporter, began nearly
eighteen years ago, inaugurated by cultured
women who took up the work through purely
humanitarian motives. They fed and clothed
little mites who had been forsaken, they threw
around them the influence of horns and at
tend sd TO the training Of the misshapen minds.
It was our idea that deacon ssses should be
trained to dc general mission work, but ur to
eighteen months ago such effort i'll our neigh
borhood was hindered by the lack
fhen suitable w saldiHs Me 1S5 h came
to the rescue with the gift Of a suitable house,
and in That placs the training of deaconesses ia
now proceeding in most gratifying manner,
the Children however. not being neglected We
do not recognize any sister who is less than
twenty-five years Of age, because we believe she
cannot earlier have thorough understanding
of many things she needs TO know. Those who
desire to become deaconesses (and there are no
vows required) may enter the home when they
are twenty-thr and they serve a probationary
period of two years. During that time they re-
celve practical instruction in medical matters
and especial attention is paid to nursing the
poor. Then there is prescribed course Of lit
erature and church work. After a residence of
one year at Mewburn House the probationer
goes out into some one of the village commune
ties. where she does what she can to assist the
pastor il his efforts to reclaim the lowest and
most degraded of sinners. II at the close of
the years experience she has proven herself
efficient that completes her probation. and a
service at the home formally installs her in her
Office.
AT this time there are six sisters doing out
side work but before our next annual confer
ence neetu we shall have fully twenty. In the
Children's Home nearly sixty sisters ell
gagged. This branch of the work WAS the ear
Hest developed. and has naturally received
most attention. These sisters follow their own
ideas as to work. One of the most attractive
OF the sisters bright and beautiful Irish
grl-has wonderful power with rough men.
She will follow .hem into public houses in an
In hem and her atfn IA ara
frequently most successful Another sister is a
favorite with boys. and she has II wonderful
class of youths--about 100 in number-that be-
lieve in her thoroughly. Another Possesses
the GIFT necessary to those who would be sue
cessful evangelists.
THE MISSION SCHOOLS.
Then we have two mission schools; one of
them what we term a ragged school, the other
a Sunday school, These are largely attended.
hall is open every night, and the main room,
as well many more private apartments, is
ready for constant Use. Monday afternoons,
from to O'Clock, there is mothers meeting.
10 this come many who never attend regular
church services because they often have no
clothing which they would care to wear to such
place. They bring their sewing and work
steadily while some OF us read and sing to them
Our girls club is in operation every evening;
the club Ii pleasant place for girls whose
homes lack arr attractive features, We do our
best to Interest, an.use and instruct the many
who attend. workingmen's orchestra plays
at the Mission Hall Sunday evenings; this
organization rehearses at the hall OEce in each
week. Then VIC have a slate club-which is a
savings bank-loeated in pleasant room, and
in another apartment one Of our orphan boys
works nobly to repay indebtedness by teaching
the art Of shorthand writing to numerous
poor lads who need and appreciate the
instruction, but who could never pos
sibly get it had it to be paid fo-
line senior and junior temperance societies
should not be forgotten; they meet at Mission
Hall and are doing gloriously.
Is the ueaconcss movement officially recOg-
nized by the church? No not yet; but the mex:
conference can hardly neglect the matter. The
sisters are doing powerful work for good and
the organization must soon be under protect
ing and conferential wing.
The ultimate results of our toll? Those We
cannot see, but we do know that over Sc per
cent OF those who 10 out from our mission
schools become church members, 95 per cent,
at least, are reputable citizens, while only
per cent go to the bad.
Moro important than any other work is
work among children. II anything is to be
done for the nation it must be done through
the children"