The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-11
THE X T ANNIVERSARY
SERVICES HELD AT FIRST GERMAN
EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
Growth of the Protestant D~eaconess
Society I'm This City-Character
of Services.

Interesting services were held last night
in the First German Evangelical Church, at
the corner of New York and East streets,
I'm celebration of the sixth anniversary of
the founding in this city of the Protestant
Deaconess's Society. Rev. J. c. Peters,
pastor of lions Church. is largely response
BILE for the present fiourlshing condition of
the society. He has been its president con-
~tinuously ever since 1t was organized in his
church in 1896, and with the exception of n
brief period has also served as superintend-
ent of the hospital until the 18th of Janu-
airy. the present year, when he was relieved
from this latter duty at his especial re-
quest. on account of his other duties as
pastor of lions Church occupying so much
of his time.
The new superintendent, Rev. J. c.. Mes
tel, came to this city from Utica, N. Y,
and has been carrying forward the work.
although his formal installation or CON
secration.'' as the is termed. was
deferred until yesterday In order that it
might be coincident with the anniversary
ceremonies. Mr.. Nestel Is not a newcomer
to Indiana, having been pastor of the Ger
man Lutheran Church in Madison. Jeffer-
SON county, years ago. He is a man Of
pleasing personality and broad culture, and
It is felt that the society has been extreme
ly fortunate in securing him for the i'm
portant post Of superintendent Of the new
hospital.
When the Deaconess Society was organ
lied in 1895 with the purpose of establishing
a hospital and retreat for the aged, the
work was begun in the old frame dwelling
on Senate avenue Immediately north OF the
present building. where IL was continued
until April 8, 1899. when the present hand
some brick structure on the corner OF Sem
ate avenue and Ohio street was completed,
and the twelve patients that were being
cared Tor In the temDOrarV building Were
removed into the more commodious and
comfortable quarters provided in the new
Building.
HAD SIX PATIENTS.
The society commenced with six patients
and has enlarged its facilities until now the
average is forty-five. Last year SCI were
treated. The new hospital is so completely
equipped that many weallny people await
themselves of the superior treatment pro-
vided. These, of course, make adequate
recompense for the care received by them.
The Home for the Aged has eight inmates.
The new hospital building was built and
equipped at a cost OF s5f, 900, which amount
is increased TO $500 by the remainder OF
the society's property, the latter amount
representing its capital or investment. The
large debt under which the organization
struggled at the outset has. by the unremit-
tent energy of it's members. been reduced
to 81, 900. The hospital is divided into four
wards. one for men, one for women. and
the medical and surgical wards. General
Robert s. Foster and family have fitted up
a beautiful private ward, called 1.-The Violet
Ward on account of it's style of decoration.
violets having been favorite flowers with
the late Miss Foster. Other wards have
been equipped by the reformed churches of
the city and by Mrs. Fred p. Rush. The
Dorcas Club has furnished a sewing room
and children's room. The single apart
ments were fitted up by different churches.
lodges and individuals of indianapolis.
The nursing is done by deaconesses. who
are in reality Protestant sisters" and. as
there are only eleven OF these in this CITY
a school for training nurses has beer
opened in addition to the one for fitting
best physicians OF the city have given their
time and services as instructors in these
departments. Patients may be treated by
the regular physicians attached to the hos
pital or they may be attended by their own
doctors IL they prefer.
The society's excellent financial condition
is shown by the last report which places
the active membership at 470. each OF these
contributing annual tues of s.. The life
members number forty-eight. who have
paid $50 each. There are also twenty-one
honorary members. who have contribute
$500 or more
HAS GROWN IN FAVOR.
The Protestant ~deaconess work was intro
duced into the United States In 1919 and has
grown in favor so much hat now there Is
scarcely a city OF Importance in which a
Deaconess Society is not to be found. The
deaconesses are all trained nurses and,
while they have taken certain vows 10 the
Lord. they are at liberty TO give VI their
work whenever they feel inclined. II is a
rare thing, however. for one OF them 20
avail herself OF this privilege.
The anniversary services last night were
characterized by eloquent and interesting
addresses and by an exceptionally fine
musical programme. Several organ volun-
taries were rendered by Prof. Tromel. who
had general charge OF the music. The ad-
dress or welcome was delivered by Rev.
i Frederick Rausch. pastor OF the First Ger
man Evangelical Church. Rev. Kalbieisch