Morris tribune., 1892-01-13
OPENING A HOSPITAL.
AL SEcTS AND RELIGIONS IN. A
JERUSALEM CHARITY.

A most interesting article of The Jour
nal des Debats describes 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 ont
this important work. which had already
been begun by his predecessor. Rahout
Pasha.
But whom to put in care of the sick!
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 Armsnians. Copts or Catho-
lies? The question long remained with
out solution.
Finally the president of the municipal
council, accompanied by two Efendis,
presented himself before Sister Sion, SUI
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 Tbrahim 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 Sum
day the nuns were all summoned in Or
der to meet at o'clock in the large re-
ception room. At o'clock the pasha
arrived in state and al the dignitaries
took their places. But the superior and
the sisters. where are they?
A carriage is heard approaching.
Here they GOMEZ At once q serenade
begau. and thousand voices cried
aloud, Long live the Sisters of Chair
ty!" 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 pasta 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 I ought" ''Your
excellency, we have done our duty"
said Sister Sion. 81 am delighted" re-
piled the pasha, land we can only con-
graduate ourselves on our choice" The
whole meeting testified to their pro-
found sympathy and agreement. "Do
you find anything wanting, gentlemen,
or is everything as you wish?" said the
pasta, turning to the authorities.
"For my part, " said the grand rabbi,
"the most beautiful thing see in the
hospital is the Sisters of Charity. For
FIVE years we have watched them at
work, and they have never fallen short
of their professions. They have been
mothers and sisters to all, whosoever
they might be-
AN INTERESTING SCENE.
Long live the Sisters of Charityw was
the cry on all sides, in the wards, the
corridors, etc. AL were full of emo
ton. After the presentation the pasta
returned to the divan to take part in
q Turkish religious service. "Allah!
Allahr' cried out the assistants, opening
wide their arms and invoking blessings
on the sisters and the sick.
The military doctor, on being present.
d to Sister Sion, said, SISTER, I beg
You to employ all your influence with
the pasta to obtain me eight beds, so
that my poor sick soldiers may be prop
erly nursed."
Sixteen doctors of the city who had
been invited to the opening were pre-
sented by the physician of the hospital
to the pasta and the sisters. The rabbis,
the Mussulman and Schismatic chiefs
came also to address their congratula-
tions to them. Finally the president of
the municipal council assembled all the
personnel of the establishment before the
sisters.
A moving scene then took place. He
caused all to swear respect to the sisters
first of all the medical staff, then the
pharmacists, the nurses, cooks, garden
ers and porters. Each came up accord
ing to his rank and swore in his own
language and manner what was asked.
When the last had retired the presi-
dent said: "Sisters, confde this house
to you. You are at home. l need not
beg you to act as mothers among your
children. "-Tablet