DEACONESS COMMUNITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19809, 28 November 1919, Page 3

DEACONESS COMMUNITY.

WORK IN CHRISTCHURCH, Many interesting aspects of the work of the Anglican Deaconess Community nere explained to a largo audience in the Art Gallery last evening. His Lordship Bishop .Julius presided, and the meeting opened with .the hymn, “The Church's One Foundation.’* Bishop Julius, in a slioit. introductory sketch, inferred lo the work of Momen who had servod and ministered in the early Church wiln devotion and aptitude, and had risen to a very wonderful degree of influence and powerAs the days went on the services of tv omen had develoned. though about 3. centum and a half ago the orgamsationshad fallen away for various voa-1 sons. The missions of many dioceses in the Cliuren had been mainly responsible for the formation of the Deaconess Community. A great objection ho had heard as a boy was that women's work was at home: but they had bn delivered from that because many women did not have a home, and also because in many cases the old home life had disappeared. The war had brought about a vast change, and the Church was rapidly awakening to the. power for service of women. He remembered when their good friend Sister Edith came nut from England many years ago. and there was hardly anv'ncedfor him to speak of her good work and devotion. (Applause.) He had never regretted that he had been led to bring the Deaconess institution into this diocese. and he hoped all present, would gain from the meeting a clear idea of the noble work the Community was doing. Sister Kate dealt with missionary "ork. and described her experiences in Melanesia. She had received training in district nursing under Nurse Maude, and that instruction had proved invaluable to her on Norfolk Island, as well as her training in the Community. Mission life was hard and strenuous, but there was none happier for one who had cultivated the habits of prayer and meditation. It was important in missionary work that; it should never stop, and* that, when one Sister dropped out through illness or other causes, another should he ready to go out and take her place. I luce were wonderful opportunities lor women workers 'in the mission field. Sister Janet said that her thirteen years as a deaconess had been tue happiest, rears of her life. In entering the Community, a woman stayed as a visitor for six weeks, and then, all going well, sho would be admitted as ait Associate. Then she becajne a. Novice for two years, and, at the end of that time, if she were sure of her call, the Novice became a Sister. She gave those«details because many people had gained a wrong impression of the nte of a deaconess. Sister Eveleen drew a, picture of the increasing influence of women in the outside, life, of the world. Girls were offices, earning their own living. A\ hat was to be the result on business methods of this new factor? It was necessary for them to gel, into close, personal touch with these young women, and In give them full opportunities foe Bible study. In that connection the Community had carried on Retreats with gratifying success, and it was hoped to hold more in the future, .■r Trying, ,medical adviser to the Community, said that the deaconesses were ministering angels. The poorer the surroundings the better tliev got on and the greater efforts thev 'made to leave a place clean and sweet It was their broadmindedness and humanness that made their work so stiecesstul. Miss 'Williams, Companion of the Deaconess Community, said that few women worked harder than the Sisters, and at all times they were ready with advice and assistance. They had given up their own homes, but they were, sisters m the real sense in the’great brotherhood. working for the good of the whole family. Sister Edith said that she was particnlarly pleased at the very large attendance. She wanted an’association of women, not necessarily joined perma.nent.lv to the Community, but to stay for a year or two and help in the work outside, assisting sick and overworked mothers. Nnrso Maude had often stressed the need for such an association. Sister Edith .said Hiat Vhe would also like to see a House of Prayer, where tired women could rest in devotion. dhe meeting closed with prayer after Sister Janet had told of the work among hoys.