y, Samuel, 159. Mother-hou

America.[47]
A further number of ministers showed themselves inclined to stand by
the society, both by their influence and
through contributions taken in their churches, so that in 1876 the
first trained deaconesses were set at work in the city of Frankfort. As
has been said,[48] the little institution
in its early days had to pass through a series of critical experiences,
as a young child has to encounter the series of childhood diseases that
assail it; but it outlived them all, and is now enjoying a vigorous
youth. It was but another illustration of the truth that all beginnings
are difficult, and that
successful experience has to be bought by overcoming hinderances and
obstacles. To-day there is no branch of German Methodism more
successfully and substantially incorporated into the Church life
than the deaconess society, and none that

wins greater
favor among those
outside of denominational
lines. The first printed report

was issued in October, 1884. In t