d are introducing a new element
into the life of the old city.

In Zuerich seven deaconesses are at work under the protection, and with
the sympathetic co-operation, of the pastor and the church. I saw
something of the deaconesses and their duties in this place. The
inspector, Rev. Fr. Eilers, came with the first deaconesses and
introduced them to their new field when I was a resident of the city. On
Sunday morning he occupied the pulpit, preaching from Rom. xvi, 1,
commending the deaconesses to the kindness and helpful aid of the
members of the church. I used often to see Sister Myrtha, who was the
head sister, hastening hither and thither on her errands of mercy. In
her plain black dress and round shoulder-cape to match, and broad white
collar and white cap, she was a pleasant and attractive figure. She was
always happy and contented, ready to answer the many questions with
which I plied her in my desire to look through the eyes of a deaconess,
and to obtain her views of the office to which she belonged. She had a
great love for her work, and believed that she was doing service for
Christ in a true missionary field. Her simple uniform was a
distinguishing mark that insured her respect and attention wherever she
went, and she regarded it as a garb of honor that marked her as
belonging to the daughters of the great King. You could not call such a
life an austere or unnatural one. It was too thoroughly filled with
thoughts of love to others to be either morbid or introspective. I
obtained my first favorable impressions of the usefulness of deaconesses
and their importance to the Church from the cheerful, contented labors
of Sister Myrtha and her associates among the poor and sick of
Zuerich--quiet women, of no particular prominence in the social world,
and not learned or accomplished; "_nur einfache Maedchen_" (only simple
maidens, quiet, ordinary women, as we might translate Sister Myrtha's
own phrase), but living "not to be ministered unto, but to minister,"
commending their creed by their deeds, and winning sympathy by the
loving, self-denying spirit that they manifest.

During the last year a house of rest has been opened similar to the
house Salem at Kaiserswerth. This is called by the beautiful name
"_Gottestreue_," or "God's Fidelity." The report says that they have
named it God's Fidelity in recollection of this: "That the Lord has so
faithfully led us and has cared for us in all storms which, especially
at the