Deaconesses in Europe and their Lessons for America Part 9

Deaconesses in Europe and their Lessons for America Part 9

For those who are destined for medical work among the women of India there is a special course of medical training, both theoretical and practical.

The age requirement is not so strictly maintained at Mildmay as at many other deaconess houses, but, as a rule, ladies from about twenty to thirty years of age are preferred as students in the training-school.

The sum of three hundred dollars is charged for the year's expenses at the training-school, medical students paying one hundred dollars additional.

Our study of the Mildmay Inst.i.tutions has been somewhat extensive. As was said at the beginning of the chapter, the great freedom and simplicity of the Mildmay methods, as well as the happy faculty that its directors possess of utilizing all varieties of individual talent, make this deaconess establishment one that is full of valuable suggestions to the similar inst.i.tutions that are now arising in American Methodism. No working force is wasted; if a deaconess possess a special talent, she is given a field in which to exercise it; and if exceptional conditions arise workers are found ready to meet them. This training provides well-equipped missionaries for the foreign field, and equally well-prepared missionaries for the great field of the present hour--the home mission work in the crowded wards of great cities.

The annual expenses of the Mildmay Inst.i.tutions vary from one hundred and ten thousand to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Sixty thousand dollars are received in voluntary contributions, and the remaining sum is generally obtained from friends who are immediately concerned in the work.

It is certainly a marvelous tribute to Christian faith, although it is never heralded as such, that an establishment of the extent and magnitude of Mildmay has been maintained for years with no permanent endowment to fall back upon, and that annually the renewed self-denial of constant friends has to supply the large amount of money needed to meet the entire expenses. Besides those outward and visible services which it renders "for the love of Christ, and in his name" Mildmay furnishes a constant testimony to the fidelity of the Christian faith in the hearts of many believers.

[65] _Life and Letters of the Rev. W. Pennefather_, p. 279.

[66] _Ibid._, p. 305.

[67] _Life and Letters of the Rev. W. Pennefather_, p. 435.

[68] _Life and Letters of the Rev. W. Pennefather_, p. 471.

[69] _Life and Letters of the Rev. W. Pennefather_, p. 471.

[70] _Mildmay Deaconesses and their Work_, p. 7.

[71] _Mildmay Deaconesses and their Work_, p. 6.

[72] _A Retrospect of Mildmay Work During the Year 1887._ [73] _Mildmay Deaconesses and their Work_, p. 13.

[74] _A Light in a Dark Place_, p. 21.

CHAPTER XII.

DEACONESSES IN SCOTLAND.

When Fliedner went on his second tour to England he extended his journey to Scotland, and ventured to Edinburgh at a time when the cholera was sweeping with fearful ravages through the city in order to become acquainted with Dr. Chalmers. The great Scotch divine and his good deeds, that were connected with all kinds of charitable endeavor, moved the German pastor to admiration and stirred him to holy emulation. On the other hand, that Chalmers was profoundly touched by the work that Fliedner had accomplished in Germany there can be no doubt; we have his own words to testify to the importance he attached to the diaconate of women. In his lectures on Romans, he says: "Here, too, we are presented with a most useful indication, the employment of female agency, under the eye and with the sanction of an apostle, in the business of the Church. It is well to have inspired authority for a practice too little known, and too little preached on in modern times. Phebe belonged to the order of deaconesses, in which capacity she had been the helper of many, including Paul himself. In what respect she served them is not particularly specified. Like the women in the gospels who waited on our Saviour, she may have ministered to them of her substance, though there can be little doubt that, as the holder of an official station in the Church, she ministered to them by her services also." It is but recently, however, that deaconesses have become incorporated into the religious life of Scotland, and, so far, they do not exist in connection with the Free Church, of which Chalmers was the able and heroic leader, but only in connection with the national Church--the old historic Church of Scotland. Within this Church the question has a.s.sumed the form, not alone of the revival of the apostolic order of deaconesses, but also of the organization of all the manifold activities of women within the Church into one whole, which is put under the authority and direction of the officers of the Church.

Isolated attempts in this direction had previously been made, but in 1885 the first definite steps were taken when the Committee on Christian Life and Work, of which Dr. Charteris was the Convener, presented to the General a.s.sembly a report on "The need of an organization of women's work in the Church," part of which is as follows: "The organization of women's work in the Church has become a subject of pressing interest.

The a.s.sembly has already sanctioned and regulated the organization of women's work in collecting for foreign missions, and in sending out and superintending missionaries. The great and growing strength of the movement thus recognized is one of the most gratifying things in our mission; ... but of still older date, and not less powerful, is the part taken by women in the home work of the parish church. Lady visitors are carrying messages of divine truth and of human sympathy into the dwellings of the poor both in town and country. Many have been trained as nurses that they may be skilled ministrants to the suffering and sick; and there can be little doubt that the greater part of the actual personal help which ministers receive in parishes is from the women of the congregations. But those who have done most of the good work are most instant in asking from the Church some means of doing still more.

From ministers and from their female helpers have come many requests to the committee for some provision for training; some recognition and organization of those who are trained.... In the Church of England are many homes for nurses and deaconesses; training inst.i.tutions for female mission work of every kind; and the rapidity with which they are multiplying proves of itself how much they are needed; also non-conformist inst.i.tutions of the kind, and some separate from all Churches. Your committee believe that the time has fully come for our Church's taking steps to supply her own wants in this important department of mission work."[75]

The General a.s.sembly then directed the committee to inquire into the subject of women's work in the Church, and to bring up a definite report to the next a.s.sembly. The committee accepted the task, sent out requests to every parish for suggestions as to the forms of Christian work to be carried on by women, and the best means of making preparation for their special training, and prepared themselves by personal inspection of the leading inst.i.tutions for training women workers in England to be able to answer intelligently the same questions. A scheme was reported in 1886 which should incorporate all existing parish organizations, such as Sabbath-school teachers' and women's societies of all kinds, and should aim at increasing their number and working power. In 1887 regulations were perfected for working this scheme, and the approval of this by the a.s.sembly of 1887 made the new plan a part of the organized work of the Church.

The comprehensive character of the new departure in the Church of Scotland is plainly seen from a view of the organization as it now exists. The three grades into which the Christian women workers are divided embrace every kind of work done in connection with the Church.

The first grade is general in its character, and forms an a.s.sociation called the Women's Guild. In each parish the members of Bible-cla.s.ses, of Young Women's Congregational a.s.sociations, of mission working parties, of Dorcas societies, as well as tract distributers, Sabbath-school teachers, members of the Church choir, and any who are engaged in the service of Christ in the Church are all to be accepted as members of the guild. The next higher grade is the Women Workers' Guild, for which a certain age is required, and an experience of at least three years, with the approval of the kirk session which enrolls them. In connection with this guild are a.s.sociates, who have a similar relation to the members of the Women Workers' Guild that the a.s.sociates have to deaconesses in the English deaconess houses. They are not pledged to regular or constant service, but engage to do some work or contribute some money every year. They can go to the deaconess house, put on the garb of the deaconess while there, and as long as they remain can a.s.sume the responsibilities and enjoy the privileges belonging to deaconesses.

The third higher grade is that of the deaconesses. Any one desiring to become a deaconess "must purpose to devote herself, so long as she shall occupy the position of a deaconess, especially to Christian work in connection with the Church, as the chief object of her life."[76]

Provision was also made for a training-school and home where deaconesses could be prepared for their duties.

There are a great many ladies who for a long time have been engaged in doing the practical work of a deaconess without being clothed in the garb, or invested with the office. The Church of Scotland recognized these workers by providing two cla.s.ses of deaconesses, who should be equal in position, but have different spheres of activity. Those who for seven years had been known as active workers, and who have given their lives largely to Christian service, are accepted as deaconesses of the first cla.s.s, and are free to work wherever they find themselves most useful within the limits of the Church. The second cla.s.s embraces those who shall have received training in the deaconess inst.i.tution, or have been in connection with it for at least two years.

When the measure was finally pa.s.sed by the General a.s.sembly there was no delay in carrying into execution the details indicated by the plan of work. The Deaconess Inst.i.tution and Training Home was at once started.

It was located at Edinburgh, as the most central and convenient place for the inst.i.tution, and as furnishing the most available advantages for the instruction and training of the deaconesses. From here as a center the work is expected to penetrate into every part of Scotland by means of the trained workers whose services will be available for all parts of the country when desired by the ministers and kirk sessions. With true Scotch prudence and wisdom it was arranged that the lady who was chosen to be the superintendent should fit herself thoroughly for the duties of her responsible place by becoming familiar with the workings of similar inst.i.tutions in England. She was accordingly given six months' leave of absence, which she spent among the great London Homes, and only a.s.sumed the duties of her position May 1, 1888. Meanwhile the Home had opened under the temporary care of a lady who had been a worker in Mrs.

Meredith's Prison Mission, and for six years a Mildmay deaconess. It had from the beginning the warm co-operation of sympathizing, influential friends. Regular courses of lectures were arranged on subjects connected with Christian work, and as similar courses will be demanded of like inst.i.tutions in America it may be interesting to give the syllabus in full:

SYLLABUS OF LECTURES.

(On Tuesdays at 12.)

1. B.--Professor Charteris. Four Lectures.

"How to Begin a Mission."

Nov. 29.--1. Whom to visit, and why. The ills we know of, bodily, spiritual, social; and seek to lessen.

Dec. 6.--2. How to induce the people who belong to no church--perhaps care for none--to come in.

Dec. 13.--3. What to do with the children; (a) to attract, (b) to influence them.

Dec. 20.--4. What agencies besides Sunday services prove best.

2. C.--Dr. P. A. Young. Six Lectures.

"Medical Hygiene for the Use of Visitors."

Jan. 3.--1. Object and scope of the course of lectures; short sketch of the structure and functions of the human body, including a brief description of the functions of digestion, absorption, circulation, respiration, excretion, secretion, and enervation.

Jan. 10.--2. Fractures, how to recognize and treat them temporarily; bleeding, and how to treat it; the use of the triangular bandage.

Jan. 17.--3. Treatment of fainting, choking, burns and scalds, bites from animals, bruises and tears from machinery, convulsions, sunstroke, persons found insensible, suspected poisoning and frostbite; how to lift and carry an injured person.

Jan. 24.--4. Sick-room, its selection, preparation, cleaning, warming, ventilation, and furnishing, bed and bedding, infection and disinfection.

Jan. 31.--5. Washing and dressing patients, bed-making, changing sheets, lifting helpless patients, food administration, medicines and stimulants, what to observe regarding a sick person.

Feb. 7.--6. Taking temperature, baths, bedsores, nursing sick children, application of local remedies, poultices, fomentations, blisters, etc.; management of convalescents.

3. D.--Rev. George Wilson. Four Lectures.

"Difficulties Encountered by District Visitors."

Feb. 14.--1. Difficulties proceeding from indifference.

Feb. 21.--2. Difficulties proceeding from ignorance.

Feb. 28.--3. Difficulties proceeding from adversity.

Mar. 6.--4. Difficulties proceeding from anxiety.

Note.--Questions invited from the ladies.

4. E.--Rev. Dr. Norman Macleod. Four Lectures.

"Some Qualifications of a Church Worker, especially among the Poor."

March 13.--1. Motives and aims.

March 20.--2. Difficulties and hindrances, how to overcome them.

March 27.--3. Conditions of success.

April 3.--4. Helps, agencies, etc.

5. F.--Rev. John McMurtrie. Two Lectures.

"History and Methods of Missions to the Heathen."

April 10.--1. History of missions.

April 17.--2. Methods of missions.

Another wise provision in this Scotch home is the arrangement by which those who do not wish to become deaconesses, but who want to become competent Christian workers in their own homes, can come here and spend some months in receiving training and instruction in various methods of Christian work. There is no department in life in which many blunders and much loss of time and usefulness cannot be prevented by making use of the experience of others who have previously overcome the difficulties to be encountered. In other words, we need to obtain all the preparation and discipline we can possibly have in order to do our work well; and especially is this true of Christian work, which demands the highest service that the heart and soul of humanity can give. Many individuals will come to the home to be trained and fitted to work in their own homes, and will start new lines of Christian activity that will win the sympathies and efforts of many who are eager to be employed in good works, if only they can have competent direction.

A pamphlet ent.i.tled _The Deaconess Inst.i.tution and Training Home_ says: "Are there not many parts all over Scotland--mines, quarries, etc.--where the population is poor and hard-working? Would it not in such places be an advantage both to minister and people to have a Christian lady, trained, experienced, and devoted, to live and work among them? Or, which would be possible in every parish, would it not be a great advantage that in case of need--in a mining accident, an outbreak of sickness--a trained Christian nurse should be available during the emergency?"

The General a.s.sembly provided that deaconesses should be solemnly inducted into their office at a religious service in church. It also provided "that along with the application for the admission of any person to the office of a deaconess there shall be submitted a certificate from a committee of the General a.s.sembly intrusted with that duty stating that the candidate is qualified in respect of education, and that she has had seven years' experience in Christian work, or two years' training in the Deaconess Inst.i.tution and Training Home." Also, "Before granting the application, the kirk session shall intimate to the presbytery their intention of doing so, unless objection be offered by the presbytery at its first meeting thereafter." On Sunday, December 9, 1888, the first deaconess was set apart to her duties. The kirk session was already in possession of the necessary certificates testifying to her "character, education, experience, devotedness, and power to serve and co-operate with others." Due intimation had been made to the presbytery. The questions were put that were appointed by the General a.s.sembly: