The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-05-04

uhtii the bishop had again invoked the
iioiy Spirit of the Living God to descend
upon them and anoint them with His
grace.
When the prayer was ended. the cand-
uates rose. and the bishop, taking the
iisht hand of each in turn, admitted
'hem to office with these words:
admit thee to the office of deaconess
IN the church of God in the name OF
the rather. and of the Son, and of the
holy Ghost Amen"
The benediction followed, and the cere-
mony was concluded.
First Consecrated in Georgia.
The first deaconesses ever consecra ted
In Georgia stood before the people
Large numbers of the members of the
congregation went up. after the benedIc-
t1on. and shook hands with the deacon
esSes and spoke encoura ging words to
eiiehh. Ihey made striking picture in
their somber habiliments against the
background of stylishly- dressed women
VINO surrounded them In general APP
pearance they strongly resembled the
sisters of mercy of the Roman Catholic
church, and their work is, in some re-
spects, similar
Ihey are under the supervision OF
BOARD OF control, appointed by the Wom-
ans Home Mission Society, and must go
wherever sent at home or abroad, and do
whatever religious work is required of
them. Generally their duties are
l. Minister to the poor.
2. Care for the sick
3. Provide for the orphan
Comfort the sorrowiug
D. Seek the wandering and sinful.
{. Any religious or teaching work to
which she may be assigned She must
relinquish all other pursuits and devote
herself to those forms OF Christian work
to which she may be found adapted.
The requirements of candidate for the
office of deaconess are.
a young woman who desires to become
candidate for the office and work
OF a deac0ness must
]. Be. at least, twenty-three years OF
age
>, Be single woman or widow (without
dependents for supporD.
3. She must have a good English edu-
cation.
4. She must have shown a fitness for
this work by active service in some line
Of Christian work
;. She must be recommended by the
quarterly conference and tho preacher
In charge of the church of which she Is
q member
6. She must have a certificate of good
health from a reputable physician.
T. She must pass a satisfactory exam
nation before q proper committee Of the
Woman's Home Mission Society. both as
TO educational and religious qualfica-
lions
g. After two years at the training school
she must have the recommendation OF
the superintendent Of the school
Office Created in 1902.
The office Of deaconcss was created
al the general conference of the Methodist |
church. south. at Dallas. Tex, May, 1902,
and its mana cement and development |
was committed to the Woman's Home |
Mission hoard. A deaconess can only re- |
ceive SIC per month and expenses This /
is paid by The Woman's Home Mission
board, unless the deaconess is hired by
a church. In which case the church pays |
her the same amount.
All the candidates consccrated yester- |
day were prepared at the Scarratt Bible /
and Training school except Miss Wcigcl. |
who prepared in Chicago. IT Is /
not yet known to what fields the new
deaconesses will he called or sent.
Trinity church, v.afrs the ceremooqgy, ,
took place. was decorated ,'l>.- ,."',''o anu /
ilueS. BeIOIe tHe dppoi'teN "'"i ''' -
ice to begin every seat III the great an /
ditorium and the gallery was occupied. !
Chairs were placed in the aisies to &C
commodate the people. but many stood I
throughout the ceremony. In the after 4
noon the Womans Home Mission board
held memorial services in the same
church and in the evening DR.. ". Il,
Lambuth. missionary secretary of the
Methodist Episcopal church, south, deliv-
cred an address to large audience on
thc work Mheh IS undcr his charge.