(b) Among the detained Immigrants. This is a field of varied service and is perhaps the place of greatest opportunity for our missionaries and is specifically their field.
(c) The hospital. This is a very important part of the work for, and with, those who are detained. Of course, there is need of temporal relief and comforts, but here especially there are times when no one can minister except one who brings spiritual comfort and the cheer of the love of God.
Missionary Activities
The missionaries at our Ports meet and aid representatives of the following nationalities, viz.: English, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, French, Swiss, German, Dutch, Belgian, Hebrews of various nations, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Austrian, Greek, Turkish, Armenian, Bulgarian, Servian, Roumanian, Albanian, Hungarian, Bohemian, Croatian, Slovenian, Ruthenian, Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, Mexican, Cuban, and other West Indian, Panamanian, Venezuelan, Columbian, Argentinian, Australian, Maltese, West African, Egyptian, Syrian, Persian, Hindu, Chaldean, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean,—in all, 52.
Visitors to Ellis Island often ask, "Just what do the missionaries do?" The Rev. Eliot White, Port Chaplain of the Protestant Episcopal City Mission Society, gives the following answer to this query:
We meet those newly coming from the ocean steamers to Ellis Island, and less frequently, second-cabin passengers at the docks. We aid them through the Immigration Station in many ways, with tickets, trunks and hand baggage, with food, sometimes getting milk heated for a baby, or "minding" little children while parents look for their trunks; telegraph or telephone to relatives or friends, give information of many sorts, expediting the progress through the day's ordeals of those fortunate enough to pass without detention.
As for those who are detained and designated for "special inquiry," our duties in their behalf are more complicated and often difficult and sad. Appeals must be written in many cases. Where the exclusion is mandatory, we have special opportunity for the specifically pastoral and consolatory offices in presence of bitter disappointment and sometimes heart-broken sorrow. Many are the physical needs also, of the detained, and those to be deported; indeed, the only limitation on service of this sort is the worker's time and strength. There is clothing to supply for those sometimes wretchedly clad, and even barefooted on the cold stone floors, and there are errands to run for many a humble requirement. Then there is the often sad office of messenger between the sick in the immigrant hospital and their relatives detained on the main island, and sometimes a burial to conduct when the entrance to the land of hope has been shadowed by some dear one's death. For some time after they have left Ellis Island, we maintain a "follow-up" correspondence with many whom we meet.
Ellis Island Committees
1. Committee on Literature. Mr. Charles Carrol, Rev. G. J. D'Anchise, Miss Martha Troeck, Miss Teresa Fransee.
2. Detained Immigrants. Rev. P. D. Vassileff, Miss A. E. Matthews, Mrs. Athena Marmaroff.
3. Clothing and Supplies. Rev. P. H. Land, Mr. Marmaroff, Miss Fransee, Miss Brys.
4. Hospitals. Miss Martha Troeck, Mrs. Tripp, Mr. D'Anchise.
5. Appeals. Rev. Eliot White, Rev. P. H. Land, Mr. Carbonetto, Mrs. Conversano.
6. Follow-up Committee. Dr. Perry representing the Committee of Six, Rev. P. D. Vassileff, Mrs. Conversano, Mrs. Tripp.
7. Religious Meetings and Entertainment. Mr. Charles Carrol, Rev. P. H. Land, Rev. Eliot White, Rev. P. D. Vassileff, Mr. Carbonetto, Mrs. Conversano, Miss Matthews, Miss Fransee.
The Literature Committee