Duties of the Deacons and Deaconesses by O. A. OLSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 22, 1909

Duties of the Deacons and Deaconesses

By O. A. OLSEN

As it is the duty of the elder to look after the spiritual welfare of the church, so the deacons and deaconesses are responsible for looking after its business affairs. It is their duty to become acquainted with the members, by systematic visiting, and to render them such assistance as may be required. Some may require advice as to the management of their homes; some may need words of encouragement and cheer; some, practical help in the home or sick-room; some, food; some, clothing; others, work. The deacons and deaconesses should be ready to do all in their power to relieve these needs; and to deal with all such cases successfully much sanctified judgment and tact are required. They should not necessarily do all this themselves, but should solicit such help as they need from the members of the church, thus leading them to become interested in one another’s welfare, and uniting them as brethren indeed.

The poor, or Christian help, fund, should be placed in charge of the deacons and deaconesses, one deacon being appointed to keep the account; and this fund should be used by them to aid those in need. A report of the receipts and expenditures of this fund should be made at each church officers’ meeting, and a report should be presented to the church at each quarterly business meeting.

When the quarterly report is made to the church, the names of those relieved should not be given. It should be stated that so many persons had been supplied with food to the value of so much, so many with cash, and so many with clothing, etc.

Each deacon and deaconess should keep a small book, with the names and addresses of the members, their occupation, and any other particulars that may be helpful to them. In a large church, it would be well to divide the members among themselves, each undertaking to keep in touch with a certain number.

The deaconesses should look after the Dorcas work. The services of some of the young people and children may be secured to collect partly worn and left-off clothing from the wealthier classes, which the deaconesses can make good use of for the poor for whom they may have to care. They should get help from the sisters of the church in repairing and remaking this clothing, either in their homes or by arranging a regular meeting for this purpose at some convenient home.

The deacons should attend to the detail management of the church; should see that it is kept clean and in order; that any strangers attending the services are provided with seats, and, if possible, with hymn-books; and should take the collections.

At the time of the quarterly meeting they should see that there is a sufficient supply of basins, towels, buckets, and water, for the ordinance of humility. The deaconesses should see that a sufficiency of unfermented bread and wine is provided for the Lord’s supper; and that the necessary dishes, decanter, goblets, and linen cloths are provided. The deacons should be ordained as soon as possible after election. They are not entitled to assist in administering the Lord’s supper until this is done.

Recipe for Unfermented Wine

Secure good grapes. The small wine grape is preferable. Strip the grapes from the stem, and stew them in an enameled saucepan till brought to a boiling heat. Drain through a coarse cloth. Then boil the juice for fifteen minutes. Just before it boils, skim off all the scum that rises. Then at boiling heat, pour into strong bottles, which have been thoroughly cleansed, and are kept warm, that they may receive the hot wine without breaking. Fill to within half an inch of the cork, and cork immediately with good, solid corks. Cut off the corks close to the bottle, and seal with sealing-wax. Then set away in a dark place, and do not move it about unnecessarily.

O. A. OLSEN.