Christian Life and Work_, 1888, p. 36.
[77] Nearly all of the facts, both printed and personal, concerning
the deaconess cause in Scotland have been furnished the writer
through the kindness of Lady Grisell Baillie, Dryburgh Abbey,
Scotland.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE DEACONESS CAUSE IN AMERICA.

It was no part of the plan of this book, when first projected, to treat
of the deaconess cause as it is developing within the United States of
America, but gradually, through the kindness of many friends belonging
to different denominations, a number of facts have been obtained which
bear directly upon the question of how the example of European deaconess
houses has influenced and is influencing the Protestant Churches of
America; and it seems unwise to omit them from the consideration of the
subject.

Naturally the German Lutherans, who were well acquainted with the
deaconess work in their native land, were the first to try to introduce
it among their churches. In the yearly report sent out from
Kaiserswerth, January 1, 1847, Fliedner mentions that an urgent appeal
had been made to him to send deaconesses to an important city in the
United States, there to have the oversight of a hospital, and to found a
mother-house for the training of deaconesses. In the report for the
following year Fliedner again refers to the call from America, and
states his intention to extend his travels to the New World, and to take
with him sisters who shall aid in founding a mother-house. In the summer
of 1849 he was enabled to carry out his intention, and July 14, 1849,
accompanied by four deaconesses, he reached Pittsburg, Pa., where Rev.
Dr. W. A. Passavant, who had written so many urgent appeals for his aid,
was awaiting him. The building had already been secured for a hospital
and deaconess home, and, July 17, was solemnly dedicated at a service
where Fliedner delivered the principal address, and a large audience
testified to their interest.

Before his return to Europe Fliedner visited the New York Synod, and, in
an English discourse, described the character and aims of Kaiserswerth,
and commended the newly founded institution at Pittsburg to the sympathy
and aid of the German Lutheran Church in America. No further results
were reached, as the synod contented itself with resolving that "this
Ministerium awaits with deep interest the result of the work made in
behalf of the institution of Protestant deaconesses at