Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing - Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes as followers of the Lord will be chiefly a ministry of mercy. In the Church of Christ, mercy must have its home. The prophetic word and example of the Savior demand it. His own sacrifice, as our High'Priest, imparts the needed strength. The deaconess motto written by Wilhelm Loehe, one of the early founders of the deaconess institution, gives us a better understanding of that attractive calling. Wl1at is my purpose to do? I will serve. Whom will I serve? The Lord fesus among His poor and sick and needy. Wliat is my reward? I serve neither for thanks nor rewardg my reward is that I may thus serve. And If I perish? 'If I perish, I perish,' said Esther, who knew not Him for whom I am willing to perish but who will not let me perish. If I grow old in the service? 'Then my heart shall still flourish like the palm tree and the Lord will crown me with mercy and grace. I go my way in peace and fear naught. A Little Bit of Sunshine One of my visits took me to the home of a very old lady, one of the hundreds who like her live alone. Hers was not a cheery, bright room, which would be so welcome to one who has devoted her life in serving others and whose autumn years should be recompensed by happy, peaceful hours. Hers was the ref verse. I found myself going down the stairs into one of those dark basement onerroom flats. I knocked at the door and waited-there was no response, so I gently pushed open the door and then I met this lonely old lady who had been sick for a week. Upon speaking to her I dis' covered that she was deaf-she could not hear a single sound. The room was orderly and clean, but dark, and being a dark rainy day-the room was exceptionally dark. Page Nine

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes Christian Church abandons the faith, can she cease to strive after the most thorough realization of the apostolic charge: 'LAS we have there' fore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. fGal. 6:10. j The word diaconate, a Greek word, means service or ministry. It is used to designate, not every service, but only that which is done for the Kingdom of Heaven, or churchly service. Modern usage inclines to limit the word diaconate to the ministry of mercy in the Christian Church. A Christian woman who from love of her Savior, and in gratitude to Him, serves Him in loving ministry among the needy in this world, is called a Deaconess. Hers is an especial Lifefcalling. To serve is to use our strength and ability for the welfare of others. This may be done for life, or only for a timeg voluntarily or by conf straint, partially or entirely. If service is freely given, it is the exercise of a love, whose essence consists in living, not for ourselves but for others. But genuine love is not to be found in this world of selfishness and sin, and therefore no wholly genuine service to God or man. The paganism of all times has held servitude in small esteemg paganism being the condition of the natural man, who loves only himself, and instead of serving others, strives to make all things serviceable to himself. Service was held to be unworthy of a free born mang and as a yoke laid upon inferiors, was left to women and slaves. Service has come to honor, only upon the ground of divine relation, and especially upon that of Christianity. All revelation of the Triune God is ministering love and compassion. The diaconate of divine grace and mercy began with the fall of man in Paradise, and is completed in Christ. He who, for the fallen, made coats of skin and clothed them, He it is, who in Christ invests the penitent with the garments of salvationg who feeds the hungry, and refreshes the thirsty with forgiveness of sins, with life and salvation. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Wherever men believe on His name, serving ceases to be despised, is rather loved above all things. By their works of ministering love will He one day recognize His own. Even though in this world our path of service lead us, as followers of Christ, through crosses and humiliations, inasmuch as the disciple is not above the Master, yet in truth it leads to glory with Him. He rules, says Augustine, who serves Him. Inasmuch as the ministry of divine love toward us sinners is essenf tially grace and mercy, so in this world of sin and misery our ministry, Page Eight

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes 1, Mrs. had devoted her life to the boarding of little children and to mothering them, for she loves children dearly, but upon losing her hearing she had to give this up, much to her sorrow. She had saved enough money so that she could provide herself with food and this meagre onefroom basement flat, and thus is not dependent upon charity. The only ones who come to see her besides myself are an old lady acquaintance and the grocery man. Where are all the children she once mothered and cared for? Gone, and how soon they have forgotten her! How she would appreciate seeing some one of them! My visits with her are different from other visits, in that I converse with her by writing that which I have to say to her and she then answers. just recently she referred to my first visit to her on that dark rainy day- and with tears trickling down her wrinkled yet kind face she said: It made me so glad. There are many such old ladies who do not ask for temporal help- but would so appreciate a smile, a word of cheer and a little visit. Are there any in your community? Can you spare a few moments to bring a Bit of sunshine? Wlio Is Responsible? One very, very cold clay, I received word that M1's. A. in -- street needed help, so I set out to investigate. I knocked at the front door, there was no responseg I knocked at the back door-and there was no response. I looked around and it appeared to me that I must be mistaken as to the place, as it had all the appearances of being empty. Thinking that the neighbor might be able to give me some enlightenment I went over there-but the only answer I got was I really couldn't tell you. I never associate with my neighbors. just as I was about to leave, three children ranging from seven to twelve years of age made their appearance. They were Mrs. Afs children. They took the key out of a crevice and opened the door. I asked if I might come in and they said 'kYes. Once inside I saw a much neglected homeg stockings, shoes, and papers were strewn on the floor. Cn the kitchen table were the remnants of the previous meal, a few slices of bread partly eaten, scattered over it, a jar of jelly, a pound of butter Page Ten