Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-31

faced little woman, so young looking that
one would imagine her still in her teens.
with deep blue eyes, curling brown hair and
a complexion like milk and roses. The
daughter of Rev. DR.. Charles Briggs OF Pres-
byterian fame, a highly educated woman, and
a social belle, she gave up the world and
entered the Grace church school for deacon
esses. After a two-years' training in this
school she began her lifework in earnest.
That was something like two years ago.
Today she is at the head Of the school for
chorister boys attached to Grace church, Is
one of the most earnest workers in the
slums, superintends the sewing class for
women and children Saturday mornings, has
charge of the class, and is one
of the corps of deaconesses who decorate
and keep in order the numerous affairs and
shrines in Grace church and its chapels.
When asked about her work, Miss Briggs
is reticent of her own personal efforts, but
only too anxious to talk of the deaconess
school and order.
Yes" she said, although / am a college
graduate and am considered quite a linguist,
for you know l have travelled much abroad,
| took the two years course In the school.
You see we are taught so many practical,
useful things. We are instructed in cooking,
sewing, nursing, besides studying the bible,
and many other branches particularly useful
to q teacher. In some instances an applicant
is allowed to take a special course, but that
is only done under an order from the bishop.
| took the full course because | believed 1t
would make me more competent for the work.
"Did become a deaconess because l was
tired Of the world?" She has a little trick
of repeating questions as though she wished
to make sure of ones full meaning. Just
here she smiled and shook her head. mot
because I was tired Of the world, but because
| had just begun to love 1t. That question
has never been asked me in just that way
before, but | am sure only love for the world
yuo,,tl pnola a ppna wish I'm hprDmp "A
deaconess. | am very much attached to my
school, always having been all-fond Of chill
dren. | also like my work among the poor
of the slums, for no one, unless they nave
been there, could ever realize the good to be
done, especially among the newly arrived I'M
migrants. They are so helpless and so CRATE
full. | sometimes wish the politicians and
men who control the immigration laws of this
country could make the rounds with me. l
think they would change their minds as to
the wisdom of their present policy. 1t Is so
hard to get anything that these people car.
do. OF course some of them are skilled work
men. and can find sufficient employment to
keep them alive. But for the average immi-
grant 1t /; almost impossible to get them
work, consequently they become entirely de-
pendent on charity, and their SUFFERING, es-
pecially among the women and children, Is
very pitiable. or course my knowledge OF
languages is a great help to me in THO
branch of my duties, and perhaps 1t Is be-
cause / can understand their speech that /
appreciate their sufferings.
would | advise other women to take up
the work and become deaconesses?' Here
she shook her head again. mot unless they
were in earnest, and expected to make 1t a
lifework. You know we are not compelled
by any VOWS to remain in the order. The
VOWS we take on entering are about the same
as those taken on joining the church. There
is no pledge about poverty, c~elibacy, nos
the length of time we must stay.
| could leave the order tomorrow II / wished,
| am fond of my work, and expect TO
a. nc long ia I Iiyep