The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
FOR A LIFE OF GOOD WORKS.
Something About the Episcopal Order
of DeacOnesses.
Kansas City Star.

Kansas City Star.
The woman who willingly sacrifices the
pleasures that the world offers to devote
her life to Christianity and the church is
always viewed with Wonderment. Especial
ly is this the case when the woman is
young and attractive.
When Miss Kate Adams, of Topeka, went
TO Philadelphia two years ago TO enter the
DeaconeSs house of the diocese of Penn
sylvania genuine sorrow was expressed by
her friends, and many hoped that before
she might change her mind. But she did
not, and the service by which she will be
set apart as deaconess will take place next
January in Grace Cathedral at Topeka.
Miss Adams has been called ty Bishop
Millspaugh to do special work in Kansas
this summer, but she will return to Phila-
delphia in October to take the three
months hospital training which will COM
plete her course.
There are only two Deaconess houses in
the United States; one in New York, called
St Faiths, and the other IN Philadelphia.
Applicants for admission must be over
eighteen. From twenty-five to thirty-f1ve
is the best age to enter For the first
month they are visitors" If all is salts
factory those who do not wish to become
Deaconesses are then admitted as special
students, and the others as probationers
After one year the probationers become
candidates for the Deaconess order. At the
close OF two years of training all graduates
receive a diploma but in addition to this
practitioners are set apart as Deaconesses
by the bishop in the solemn service ap-
pointed for the purpose. After their or
dination the Deaconesses are assigned to
their work in some parish or institution.
Among people in general there is a, very
vague idea of the "Deaconess Order" and
many confuse it with . F.sisterhood'' The
full requirements are set down in canon No.
TO- adopted by the General Convention Of
the Episcopal Church. The main points are
that the applicants must be unmarried
women, al least twenty-five years of age,
whom the bishop is satisfied have had suf-
ficient preparation for the work They must
1eVOut character
of good standing in the church. A deacon
ess may at any time resign her office, but
having once resigned she cannot be reap
pointed unless there be weighty cause in
the judgment of the bishop.
1.-The duty of the deaconess is to assist the
minister in the care of the poor and sick,
the religious training of the young and
others, and the work OF moral reforma-
ton"
When Miss Adams entered the Deaconess
House no preparatory examination was re-
quired. Now, however. applicants must
pass satisfactory examination. which re
quires at least high-school education and
a. fair knowledge Of Old Testament and
English history Besides an extensive pro-
gramme OF church and Bible history, the
course of study includes classes in cooking
and sewing. training in bookkeeping and
making parochial reports, as we'll as a
course in hygiene. The study of Greek and
Kindergarten work are not in the schedule,
but have been arranged for when desired.
The payment of 5000 covers a students eX-
penses for an entire year. II she chooses
10 stay through NeeCet tioil SIG S'tAC9 q IA4 -
months hospital training. besides the eight
months of school work. This hospital
work, or its equivalent is required from all
who intend to become deacOnesSeS.
Miss Adams gives the days regime as fol-
lows: I'VE rise at 6, and after private de-
votions go to chapel at 7:10. There are
morning prayers before breakfast, then an
hours houSework-the care of our own
rooms comes later Lectures begin at 10,
continuing through the day until s. with
intermission for luncheon and MONDAY
prayers. An hour and a half Is devoted to
study after dinner, with half hour re-
creation afterward. We are in our rooms
at and lights are out at 10:lO."
Three afternoons each week are devoted
to outside training, under the personal
guidance of twelve ladies who compose the
board of managers. During the Junior year
this involves little responsibility for the stu
dent herself She has a Sunday class, visits
her scholars and teaches class in sewing
school or guild. The next year she may be
called upon to take charge OF such an or
eanization: to teach a Bible class of fifty
or one hundred adults; to address guilds or
mothers meetings or to conduct Kitchen
garden.
nation of outdoor and indoor pursuits has
a most beneficial effect on mind and body.
physicians certificate OF health Is re-
ouired from every applicant for admission.
and it is most desirable that this should
not be procured from stranger.
The habit worn in the Philadelphia Det-
coness House is q plain dark blue gown
with white linen collar and cuffs. On the
street a small blue bonnet is worm and in
doors the candidates wear tiny cuffs or
white swiss After they have become dea-
conesses, a dark blue veil is added TO the
bonnet