Part 9 (2/2)

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 furnis.h.i.+ng, bed and bedding, infection and disinfection.

Jan. 31.--5. Was.h.i.+ng 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:

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