The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-25
ST. MARGARETS HOSPITAL BLESSED
 BY BISHOP ALLEN AND FORMALLY OPENED

OI ENEU
 
 by carrying in his own arms the first patient, poor sick stranger, and placed him in bed and his son and heir carried the second. Thus he exampiifed the great truth that God is equally Father of all. not merely of the monarch who sits on his throne. but of the poor sick outcast not merely of the highest intellects but of the poor and ignorant as well, for be- ing sons of the same Father. they are all linked together in a common brother. hood.
 Essence of Christianity. Universal fraternity and equality be- fore God is a dogma. taught by our Saw four and Is the very essence of Christian ity itself. This makes a true democracy, for whilst preserving the various ranks of society. 1t keeps them united as mem bers of the same family by the ties of pure affection. "The inspiring principle which animated St. Bridget. St. Louis and the sisters, is the love of God above all things and the love of neighbor for Gods sake. This two fold charity is the foundation of Chris tianity. Hence St. Paul says: If speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity. I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." ]" By this shalN all men know that you are my disciples. if you have love one for another" John xiii:35.
 This Is the sublime teaching of Jesus Christ and 1t explains the existence of this hospital, 1t accounts for the vows of the Sisters of Charity. who have dedicat- ed thStr lives to God and afflicted human ity. A hospital to succeed, needs the fos- tering care of eminent physicians. They are its guides and it's masters. Through it. they obtain the best and most scien- tific results for their efforts and without such an institution, their labors are often In vain.
 Duty of Physician.
 ''The physician is expected to spend himself in the service of the sick from no mere mercenary motive. and to be ever ready to place the health of a patient above personal comfort. He must foster the vigor of youth and when health is shattered. strengthen and restore it.
 Hence his ministrations are sought by all ranks and grades of society. He is the friend and benefactor of all, honored and revered by youth and old age.
 "In giving a high place of honor to the physician. we must not forget that much of his success is due to the faithful nurse
  and carries out the instructions of the physician most conscientiously
 But where can more faithful. trust worthy nurses be found than among those who devote themselves, like the Sisters of Charity. to the services of the sick from religious motives? Their work en- tails on them a life time of self-immola- tion. They are to bring peace, comfort and happiness to others, and they suc-
 -A- sorrow are their daily companions. and yet 1t never seems to disturb the calm ness of their exterior or the serenity of their soul.
 Their hospitals are for all without distinction of creed. No questions are asked those who seek admittance as to what their religious views may be, and the ministers of all denominations are welcome to come here and attend any of their followers who may need their min istrations. stitution to-day and let us ask Him to bless and reward all those who labored to make 1t a success"
 Mayor Joseph Speaks.
 Speaking on behalf of the' city Mayor Joseph made the following remarks: tlignt Iteveiend Bsnop, Ladies and Gen.
 tlemen:
 During the past few years Montgom- cry has taken many steps forward on the line of progress and prosperity: miles of its streets have been paved, its supply of water has been made pure and abund- ant. it's system of food inspection has been developed so as to become a model for other cities, its street car system has been revolutionized. a Carnegie Library secured. new railroads have made it their terminus. its area and population have been doubled and so I might con tinue to enumerate.
 While claiming no personal credit for these great municipal improvements, feel great pride in having been connected with the city government. either as leg tslator or executive. during the years in which they were made.
 'Rut above all these great evidences of the spirit of progress pervading our peo- pie, the erection and completion of this splendid structure. the Saint Margaret's hospital. under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity. dedicated to the care of sick and suffering humanity stands pre-emi- nent. and I am proud of the fact that during my encumbency of the mayoralty this great charitable sisterhood was in- duced to establish in our midst this ad- mirable institution.
 Men sacrifice their lives on the battle field under a blaze of patriotism and glory-statesmen devote their lives to the betterment of thSr people. both accom- plishing great purposes. but their names and deeds live in history: more or less. ambition Is their incentive.
 But what shall we say of the great sisterhood In charge of Saint Margarets Hospital who devote their lives to the alleviation of suffering humanity. Who. without the incentive of the soldier to live in song and story nor the statesman to live in history. devote their lives to the good of mankind.
 "Reverently I Say t. God bless them. Faith, Hope and Charity. and the great est of these Is Charity"
 Remarbs of Dr. Rice.
 Rev. J. A. Rice of the Court Street Methodist church delivered most forei- rl~ -. .' ti --.- universality of pain and the wonderful achievements of science in treating physi- cal ills. By striking comparisons he brought his subject up to the value of the Christian spirit in dealing with human suffering. Noting the combination of trained skill with the spirit which actuat- ed the great Healer. Jesus Christ, as ex- emplifed in the work of the Sisters of Charity he saw only the most hene- Acart resrlt~ frNro thA'r nir'st-ntiN~s. He expressed most sincere wish for the success of the hospital and an enlarge ment of its usefulness.
 Rabbi Messing's Address.
 In his characteristic style Rabbi Mes sing brought out some living truths in the following address:
 "One of the most entertaining books