SISTER EMILY.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1209, 26 November 1919, Page 5

SISTER EMILY.

On Sunday evening, 15th inst., in Sfc. Aidans Church, the Vicar preached a sermon on the life and work of Sister Emily Aickbowm, Motherfoundress of the Sisters of the Church. Miss Aickbowm was born in Chester, her father being Vicar of Holy Trinity Church in that city. At an early age she was taught by her father to take an interest in the poor. The old S3'stetn of proprietary pews kept many people away ftoin the services of the church. This system Miss "Aickbowm did her best to abolish, but with indifferent success. In 18GG the cholera raged throughout England and Miss Aickbowm and a fiieud isolated themselves at an old farmhouse, and nursed hundreds? of eases. This was before the daj'3 of professional nursing, and was regar ie.l as t very daring thing. At a later time Miss Aickbowm removed to London and started " Bun Schools'" for the -poor and neglected children in Matylebone Road and its vicinity. In the " meanwhile several others gifted and devoted women joined Miss Aickbowm, and they formed a community out of which has, by God's blessing, grown the order known as the Sisters of the Church. Sister Emily lived to the age of Gl and saw the order.widely established in England and having branches in almost every part of the Empire. Sister Emily passed away at Sfc Mary's Home, Broadstairs, and she was buried in St Peter's Churchyard where a nameless gravestone 'marks her last resting plaeo,—-The sermon wis illustrated' by I*l views shown on the wall of the church.