plan a part of the organized work of the
Church.

The comprehensive character of the new departure in the Church of
Scotland is plainly seen from a view of the organization as it now
exists. The three grades into which the Christian women workers are
divided embrace every kind of work done in connection with the Church.
The first grade is general in its character, and forms an association
called the Women's Guild. In each parish the members of Bible-classes,
of Young Women's Congregational Associations, of mission working
parties, of Dorcas societies, as well as tract distributers,
Sabbath-school teachers, members of the Church choir, and any who are
engaged in the service of Christ in the Church are all to be accepted as
members of the guild. The next higher grade is the Women Workers' Guild,
for which a certain age is required, and an experience of at least three
years, with the approval of the kirk session which enrolls them. In
connection with this guild are associates, who have a similar relation
to the members of the Women Workers' Guild that the associates have to
deaconesses in the English deaconess houses. They are not pledged to
regular or constant service, but engage to do some work or contribute
some money every year. They can go to the deaconess house, put on the
garb of the deaconess while there, and as long as they remain can assume
the responsibilities and enjoy the privileges belonging to deaconesses.
The third higher grade is that of the deaconesses. Any one desiring to
become a deaconess "must purpose to devote herself, so long as she shall
occupy the position of a deaconess, especially to Christian work in
connection with the Church, as the chief object of her life."[76]
Provision was also made for a training-school and home where deaconesses
could be prepared for their duties.

There are a great many ladies who for a long time have been engaged in
doing the practical work of a deaconess without being clothed in the
garb, or invested with the office. The Church of Scotland recognized
these workers by providing two classes of deaconesses, who should be
equal in position, but have different spheres of activity. Those who for
seven years had been known as active workers, and who have given their
lives largely to Christian service, are accepted as deaconesses of the
first class, and are free to work wherever they find themselves most
useful within the limits of the Church. The second class embraces thos