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

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, IQ? J N fzfigrt .x xg Qs lMA1 r.25- The Deaconess Calling 'LVerily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. fMatt. 25:4O.j The Christian Church must let her light shine before men, that is, she shows it to them, to testify by word and deed, of the mercy of God, their Saviour. And this testimony must be prefeminently one of deeds, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. fMatt. 5:16.j Especially is the duty laid upon the Church, and the ability given her, continually to exercise in mercy toward her own members, for those who become believers, Nbeing many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another. K Romans 12:15 . j It is needful then, that the members, Speaking the truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted hy that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. fEpl1. 4:l5fl6.j It follows then that the Christian Church, in a matter as closely concerning it, as does the exercise of ministering love, must have its fixed rules. In the eyes of the world as well as of the congregation, it must strive to render the practice of mercy as nearly as possible, and this is accomplished in the same proportion in which private and public, free and officially organized benevolence supplement each other. Here also the peculiar gifts of woman for the ministry of mercy will find due recognition. The Christian Church, beside other forms of the diaconate, cmmot dispense with the female diaconate fthe deaconessesj- which is an officially regulated service of mercy, exercised by women, for Christe sake, among the poor, the sick, the wretched and the needy of every description, within and without the congregation. Only when the Page Seven

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Largest number of deaconesses that had been together at home, at one time, for several years

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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