The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-25
A DEAC0NESS HOME.
STRONG MOVEMENT ON FOOT TO Es-
TABLIsH ONE IN PROVIDENCE.
Objects OF the system Outlined by Mrs.
Meyer of Chicsgo-A LimitIess Field
of Labor Among the Masses

Last evening the Trinity Methodist
church was crowded, the occasion being
the Inauguration OF movement to es-
tablish in this city Methodist Deaconess
home. Rev. X. l.. Greene stated that the
Woman's Home Missionary society had
taken the first step in the work. having
already one deaconess ready TO labor in
this city.
| Rev. w. Clark Crawford OF the Mathew
son Street M. Il. church, made a brief ad.
dress, and was followed by Miss Mary +.
| Lunn, SUPERINTENDENT OF the Boston
| Deac, c,ness Home and Training school.
Miss Lunn dwelt briefs upon the work
in this country aud paid an eloquent
tribute to whom she was pleased to cali
the mother OF the Desconess movement
| in America and whom she introduced in
the person OF Mrs. Lucy Rider Meyer of
Chicago, principal Of the training sch ool
| aud superinI endent Of the home in that
city.
History OF the Movement.
Mrs. Meyer gave an interesting account
OF the birth of the movement iu
Chicago. In 1883 there were eigh,
women students at the training school
wto made up their minds to eater upon
this missionary work during the vacation,
utilizing the school as a temporary home
This they did, visiting the poor and
lowly. ministering to the sick. comforting
the dying beds Of many people Ia the
slums AMI poverty-stricken dis riots. and
teaching the gospel to the lower classes.
The success OF their efforts and the inter
est al, used among influential citizeus by
their practical methods brought about, in
a providential manner almost startling,
the D.aconesses Home aud School, which
has rapidly grown and extsnded in in
fuence. Now there are thirty homes and
eli sht hospitals under the auspices of the
Methodist church from Portland, Me-, to
Washiugt) IN. whereas. in 1887, there were
but two hospitals in the whole country.
The deaconnesses must be. first of all,
trained women and are classed AS visiting
and nurse deaFonesses. The former must
pursue a course of study In the Bible aud
biblical history, and the latter serve
an appren ticeship In reputable hospital
before either is eligible to the license
OF deaconess. They are not salaried. and
rely on the home simply for personal
care.
Strength of tho system.
There Is a limitless field OF labor among
the masses, and this is but one form OF
accomplishing a portion OF the work Of
the worren. Since the establishment oil
the Chicago home and the inception OF
the movement, the number OF deacon
esses in this country has reached be-
tween 800 and 400 The system has many
practical advantages which inspires tn
con fidence Of literally Inclined persons.
The gr 'at strength If the system lies la
its individual labor ard its work OF re-
lief. A conservative estimate places the
number of people reacb d by the deacon
esses OF this country duriUg the psst yer
at !, 200, 900. Ninety per cent. OF the popu.
larity Of the Catholic church in this coun-
trv has been gained by the efficient work
of Catholic women, the 10000 Sisters of
Mercy aud Charity. Out Of Method sm
shou come great force which should
equal these In works Of mercy and char
ity. What d es God mean by the great
surplus OF women which he has put into
the wo,ld' Simply that he has work for
them To do
Mr.. II. A. Fifleld made an earnest appeal
for snbscrip ions toward ESTABLISHING a
Providence Dsaconess Home, which move
ment is under way in the city. Mrs S
Grace Snow, a deaconess OF Trinity church
outlined the needs OF this city for the
line II work described by Mrs Never