New-York tribune., 1902-04-11
DE4CONES.S HOME OPENS.
BISHOP POTTER PRESIDEs AT CERE-
MONY-HANDSOME HOUSE. WITH
FINE APPOINTMENTS.

The formal opening of the new house for the
deaconesses of St Georges parish, Nos. 2oS and
21o East SiXtaenth-st.. took place yesterday at 4
O'Clock. Bishop Potter presided in full ceremonials.
but the services informal in nature. An oc-
from St Georges choir sang anthem and
the responses, and the Bishop. Dr. Huntington, Of
Grace Church. and DR.. Rainsford of St Georges,
made brief addresses.
Bishop Potter traced the growth Of the recog-
nized work of in the church. and said that
the phase of 1t in which the deaconesses are en-
gagged is the most valuable of all 1T IS far more
effective" he said than the earlier phase of the
sisterhood, which Old not have the genius of
adartabity which is the most marked character
istic of the deaconess movement.
The tendency of modern life is not toward
monasticism and the deaconess work recognizes
the conditions and comes more closely in contact
with the homes and daily life Of those it seeks to
benefit"
DR. Huntington characterized the deaconess work
as IAN assistant ministry for women and children
No metropolitan church is complete without it,
he declared. The conditions that made life In q
nunnery right and proper longer exist and to-
day God can he served most truly by coming into
helpful relations with humanity.
The beauty Of the building was referred TO by
DR. Huntington. who said that some might criti-
else as but he believed that nothing
was too good for the women who are engaged
in the work Their lives outside are passed IN
homes of squalor and scenes and sounds Of suffer
ing. he declared "and 1t is fitting they should
find rest and beauty here for refreshment And
the charm of the house is not for them only but
for the many unhappy ones who come here Tor
their comfort There is ministry of beauty, too.
that must be lost sight Of
DR. Rainsford asserted that the Importance or
the deaconess work is not yet recognized The
American woma an" he said. "is the most service
able being on earth, but this movement has not yet
appealed her imagination"
He said that trained, sympathetic, well bred
I'm
months in the year. The ftful. occasional work OF
society women. he thought. counted for compare
lively little The rector also emphaszed be bI iT'
debarring the deaconess from marriage ana social
After the addresses Bishop Potter said that he
had been requested not to say anything ABOUT @ Ile
imtion Of thanks for the beautiful gift The vote
was unanimous. and there were several s'sh'nc'i''
The whole house was then Inspected and - al, a,t
are hung With rich crimson. but the rooms are
varied The recepton room is z,qsh somg~nai ns mis-
sion furniture The office the he, dining nd room ana
lecture ssS o2y on at fhf he is large
sembly hall which is finished in cream ean, coior &,
Seishtened here by substantial mahogany fur
ntqre which be pushed Ss 66r asde also are
little library the centre Of which has been tdt 4TGo
Tasea wan and suite Of rooms housekeeper
The third floor is given up to ICONS rooms fGr s1e dne
and shape The infirmary fills the fourth story 6d
and a pretty as tnoSe I'I iile
conesses They are meant for convalescents VINO
on leaving hospital. require additional care
TO At them return to WORK
The appointments are all modern ana hysle.lic
The floors are mosaic and the plumbing Is sepa-
rated from that of the rest of the bulldlns
one of the features of the hospital part of the
house is a little room equipped with all surGicaI
conveniences Opening from this story is the sun
paror" which is built portion OF the rool II
viii be supplied with awnings and Is to be used by
the convalescents. ,. -.-. ia
St Georges deaconess work is sixteen years 90
The first deaconess house was establlsheu AT No
2O4 East Seventeenth-st in 1888 In 1888 1t was re
moved to No 94 East Sixteenth-st. Ihe furhlSri-
ing of the building has cost about $95o ana II
is estimated that it's maintenance Will cost @2p
yearly The present deaconesses are Miss cara II
simpson Miss Edith L. Taft, who are ordained,
and Miss Virginia G. Young. Miss GeorSlala l.
WiIkie and Mrs. Eliza W. Beard, who are quaiihed
as deaconesses but who have not yet been or
dained The architect Of the building is George f.
Wood. ~
The reception committee consisted of Mrs. Ru-
doph Schirmer. Mrs. Elliott F. Shepard: Mrs II w
Scfifeffiin and Mrs. John Greenough. Miss Evelyn
Leonard and Miss Davenport poured ch0colate:
Among those present were George Z. Wood. VINO
received many compliments. and Mrs; Wood. Mrs
7 orillard Spencer Mrs. William Z. Douglas, DR..
and Mrs T. w. Markoe. Mrs. /. b. Morgan. Mr..
and Mrs Noble Stearns. William Foulke and II Fl.