The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-10
PASSING OF THE DEACON.
title Said to Have Lost Some of Its
OId-Ttme Reverence.

title Said to Have Lost Some of Its
Old-Ttme Reverence,
IT is pity, If true as reported, that
the Office of deacon has ceased to be
regarded with favor by members Of the
Protestant churches in New England,
saws the North American Review. Time
was when the title conferred distinc-
tion and honor, and was sought with
as great diligence as could be consid-
cred seemly by good and pious men.
Once acquired, too, 1t wrought
marked, though unconscious, change In
the demeanor of the possessor, who
forthwith became graver and more
chary of speech, except in saying grace
at table and, in the really old days, at
the beautifully simple home service
known as family prayers" But, as
the spirit of irreverence gradually per-
meated unregenerated days, stories OF
uncouth humor were spun about the
deacon as a central figure, comic pa
pers depicted him chiefly as INDUCING
on the sly a liking for a horse race,
and, all in all, the title continued to
lose its former dignity and significance
until now, as we are told, it Is not only
no longer sought, but rather generally
avoided.
Although perhaps sometimes forgot
ten, 1t is fact, scarcely surprising to
those given to investigating the ORR
gins Of customs, that widows are d.
rectly responsible for the earliest APP
pointment of church officials Of the
class we have in mind. When the apOs-
ties realized the necessity of providing
bodily sustenance for those who were
In attendance on their ministrations
they made the requisite arrange
ments; but apparently the distribution
was unsystematical, and presently the
Grecians were egged on by their widow
folk to complain that the Hebrews
were obtaining more than their fair
share Of the provender.
Whereupon the twelve took counsel
and decided that, since it Ill became
them as spiritual teachers to serve the
tables, the appointment of certain
brethren of good repute to superintend
The business was in every way desir-
able. Seven were chosen-Stephen,
who subsequently was famed for his
faith and good works; Philip, another
admirable man; Prochorusi Nicanor,
rimon, Parmenas and the proselyte
they were designated fit
ingly from the nature Of their task as
the Greek diakonos or
is Latin derivative diaconus, meaning
attendant, or one who serves. That
hese first members of the order per-
'ormed well their work Is evidenced
~ the fact thatAthe widows ceased to
nurmur and by their own rapid adj
in authority, until some
we're permitted to preach and even to
10 miraculous deeds.
To this day in the Methodist Episco-
'al Church, deacons are ordained by
he bishop and may serve as travelling
PREACHERS, solemnlze marriage and adj
minister the rite of baptism. In the
bodies, they seldom
reach, but often read sermon in the
bsence of the pastor, and invariably
distribute the elements of the COM
nunion. They are also supposed to act
$ almoners after the fashion of Ste
hen and Philip, and in some States
re empowered to hold as trustees the
property Of the church. In the very
arly days there were deaconesses also:
ut, as the widows generally selected
pparently did not enjoy being CLASH
ed as "of mature age" the practice
ell into disuse, although the order is
Till maintained in Germany, and to
limited degree by various sects in
MS country.