DEACONESSES IN EUROPE

AND

Their Lessons for America

BY

JANE M. BANCROFT, Ph.D

WITH AN INTRODUCTION

BY

EDWARD G. ANDREWS, D.D., LL.D.

Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church

NEW YORK andCINCINNATI

1890

IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION,

TO

THE EARNEST AND DEVOTED WOMEN WHO,

AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEACONESS WORK

OF

THE WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

HAVE AIDED IN EXTENDING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIACONATEOF WOMEN,

THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY

BY THE AUTHOR.

AUTHOR’S NOTE.

The Author has aimed to present an accurate andconcise statement of the deaconess cause as it exists atthe present time.

In all cases where it was possible, original sources ofinformation have been consulted.

Many friends, both in Europe and America, havegiven invaluable aid, for which words of thanks are aninadequate recognition.

The excellent Index at the close of the volume waskindly prepared by the Rev. J. C. Thomas.

Acknowledgments are also due to Mr. Gillett, Librarianof the Union Theological Seminary, and to Mr.C. H. A. Bjerregaard, of the Astor Library, for puttingnot only the facilities of the library, but their personalassistance, at the service of the writer.

Jane M. Bancroft.

New York city, June 5, 1889.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE DIACONATE.

Compassion a Christian virtue—Brotherhood of all men in Christ—ForeignMissions—Home Missions—Service of ministering compassiongives rise to the diaconate—Diaconate of women—Its qualities—Fieldof labor Page 9

CHAPTER II.

DEACONESSES IN THE EARLY CHURCH.

Little knowledge of early Church—Pliny’s letter—Apostolic Constitutions—Deaconesses,widows, and virgins—Duties of the deaconess—Chrysostom,Olympias—Deaconesses in Western Church—Declinein importance—Extinction—Influences that led to decay 18

CHAPTER III.

DEACONESSES FROM THE TWELFTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURIES.

Béguines—Characteristics—Duties—Gerhard Groot—Sisters of theCommon Life—Obligations—Duties—Waldenses—Bohemian Brethren—Luther—Calvin—ReformedChurch at Wesel—Deaconesses inAmsterdam—Damsels of Charity—Mennonites and Moravians 34