SISTERS' REST HOUSE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19175, 5 December 1927, Page 10

SISTERS' REST HOUSE.

OPENED BY BISHOP. WORK OP THE BLUE NUNS. Situated on a hill-top. and with a view encompassing the sea on both sides and the Canterbury Plains as far as the eye can see before they melt into the haze, the Lewisham Rest House of the Little Sisters of Mercy., which was opened yesterday by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, could not be more ideally placed. There was a very large attendance of people at the opening ceremony, many of whom came by motor-car, while a great number, taking advantage of gloiious weather, walked the distance from the tramway shelter to Kennedy's Bush. The Rev. Father Price, who was so actively concerned in the establishment of Lewisham Hospital thirteen years ago, welcomed the visitors, and paid tiibute to the self-sacrificing work of the Little Sisters of Mercy in tending to the every need of the thousands who had passed through Lewisham. It was necessary that nurses, to give of their best, should nurse their own health, and for this reason the rest house had been built. The cost of the land and building was £SOOO, of which £2OOO had already been subscribed by the friends of the nursing Sisters. He was confident that those present would express their esteem for the Sisters in a tangible way. It was absolutely necessary that the nurses should have a chance of resting themselves, and they had asked for a rest house where they might live their community life in an atmosphere away from the hospital. The Bishop said that with the opening of the i est house the Sisters were beginning a new work. This carried the mind back fifty years, when the Ven. Mother Mary Potter, the foundress of the Blue Nuns, as they were commonly called, had started the Order. In the passing years a -wonderful advance had been made in all countries, a sign of the great blessings that hadl come oi; the enterprise. The profession of ministering to the sick was a great one. The devotion of medical men was realised by all, but the doctors realised that 110 matter what skill they exercised they could do but little were it not for the efficiency of the nurses. The Blue Nuns' vocation had two great characteristics, devotion and efficiency. They were all trained nurses, but in addition had a spirit of devotion, the secret of which was their consecration of their lives to a high purpose. No vocation was a more trying one that that of nursing, and it behoved all to see that the nursing Sisters' health did not suffer. He understood that the building was to be used also as a convalescent home, and as Bishop he claimed the privilege of having his name first on the list. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer): And miue second.

Declared Open. Tho Bishop, in conclusion, complimented the Sisters on the site they had chosen for the rest home. He would challenge any traveller to name a scene where one could get a more delightful panorama, or a scene more fascinating and picturesque. In declaring the rest house open, his Lordship complimented the Sisters on tli© success of their work, and expressed his pleasure at being associated i» this work of advanco in the jubilee year of the Order. The Mayor complimented the Sisters on the value of tUelr self-sacrificing work. He was sure that at the rest house they would find the quiet they needed. He had been wonderfully impressed by his visits to Lewisham, and the spirit in which the Sisters worked, making no distinction between the richest and the poorest patients. The nursing profession brought enormous strain, and he believed that with such rest houses the lives'of many would be spared lonecr, and file lot of all made easier. He wished that they could have such an institution for the nurses at the Public Hospital.

Appreciation Voiced. Sir George Clifford remarked that the Bishop and the Mayor both claimed the right to be convalescent at the rest house, at some time he hoped would be long deferred but he could view the work of the Sisters from another capacity, as one who was now convalescent, and had been in the care of the Sisters for two very trying months. He could bear testimony to the_ truth of all that had been said of their work at Lewisham. Nothing could be more carefully contrived for the benefits of the patients who had passed, and those who would pass, through the hospital. There was not one atom of exaggeration, in any of the comments of the Bishop as to the treatment of those committed to the care of the Little Sisters of Mercy. They had found an ideal place For tie rest home, and he knew that with unerring instinct the Sisters would make of it one of the beautv spots in the neighbourhood of Christcburch. He congratulated the Sisters and their friends, and all others who had done so much to bring the home to completion. Dr. John Guthrie reviewed the 13 years in which Lewisham had changed from a hospital of 12 beds to an institution with close on 100 beds. T5» Sisters had met every situation with a capacity for appreciating what was best, and they showed foresight also in making every endeavour to keep in the best state of health. Mr William Hayward also congratulated the Sisters on the completion of the rest house. They had done wonderful work and he was, sure that this building would enable them to gain well-earned rest when thev required it. Afternoon tea was served at the conclusion of the ceremony.