I had the women and had the means, how gladly would I
send out hundreds, two by two, to carry the river of truth into the
hamlets of our country, and the streets and lanes of our great cities.
Will you pray for the Home? Ask for women and for means. I want our Home
to be such a place of holy, peaceful memories that, when you leave it,
it may be among the brightest things that come to your mind in a distant
land, or in a different position; and each inmate can help to make it
what it should be." But Mr. Pennefather did not live to see the great
extension in usefulness and importance that the Deaconess Home was to
obtain in later years. He passed away from life April 28, 1873, leaving
to his wife, who had ever been his sympathetic and devoted helper, the
care of continuing the work he had begun. She is still the head of the
Mildmay Institutions, assisted by a resident superintendent, and aided
by the counsels of wise, experienced men, who form the board of
trustees.

From the beginning of the erection of the new building every portion of
it was put to use. In one of the basement rooms is the invalid kitchen,
where, daily, puddings, jellies, and little delicacies are prepared and
sent out to sufferers in the neighborhood, who could not otherwise
obtain suitable nourishment. From eleven to two o'clock tickets are
brought in, which have been distributed by the sisters or by the
district visitors; and those who come to take the dinners, while waiting
their turn, have a kind word, or sympathetic inquiry about the sick one,
from the deaconess in charge.

A flower mission occupies another room. Kind friends send here treasures
from the garden and green-house, field and wood, and children contribute
bouquets of wild flowers. A deaconess superintends the willing hands
that tie the bunches, each of which is adorned with a brightly colored
Scripture text. Ten hospitals and infirmaries were regularly visited
during 1888; and more than thirty-eight thousand bunches of flowers were
distributed, each accompanied by an appropriate text.

Near at hand is the Dorcas room, where deaconesses are kept busy in
cutting out clothing and superintending the sewing classes. During the
winter of 1887 thirty widows attended this class three times a week,
glad to earn a sixpence by needlework done in a warm, lighted room,
while a deaconess entertained them by reading aloud. A large amount of
sewing is given out from the same room, and the garments