Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-23

trends anu strangers, ana LETT
them to tho mercy of the elements, woman, follow
ing the dictates of Der nature, has sought the
aiictcd, bearing appliances which she knows well
TO administer. With the seal of Con upon their
hearts, that they have done His will, how proudly
VIII he claim them mothers and sisters who
devoted this life to the great of charity,
The above article from the Nantucket, Massa
chusctts Inquirer, IN reference to tho Sisters OF
Charity. has elected the following interesting &C
count of t,cir Association. 1t is from the
pen of the Rev. A. J. ELDER, of st. Marys Col.
lego:
SISTERS OF CHARITY.
To the Editors If tie American.
GENrLEMgN-Fhrough the polhcncss of the Ed.
itor of the Daily Chronicle OF Philadelphia, re.
ceivnd the Nantucket lnquircr, requesting informa-
ton concerning the Sisters of Charity. Obsorvin
that the article of the Natuckct Inquirer copi.
cd in your columns, would beg the benefit of the
same columns, to transmit to the Editor of that pa.
per, tho information which he requires.
The Society known by the name OF the Sisters of
Charity, was founded in Pus, about the year of
1876 by st. ynccpt OF Paul The intention of this
illustrous bcne.acor OF mankind in establishing
this Society, was to procure reliefto Humanity in
ITS most suffering stages. Accordingly attendance
on tho sick in Hospitals and misunderstanding
prsons-the education of the poor and the per-
Torrance ofevery work of mercy, engage the at
tention and solicudc of the pious daughters of ST
Vincent. This Society is certainty one of tho most
useful that has been established aud has never
tailed TO command universal admiration in the
countries. in which it has been known. Even
Noltairc. opposed as he was, n every thing that
bore tire appearance Of christianity, could not with
hold from it. his measure of praise. 'Porhaps,"
says he in his Essai sur LIIst Generate, ..is there
nothing moro sublime EARTH than the sacrifice of
beauty, of youth, and frequently of high h rth
winch Is made by tender to ass,ingn in our
Hospitals, the asScmblagc of every human misery,
Tn" very sight of which is so humiliating to
prlI" and so shocking TO our deicacy." The
der was soon spread through the different king
Fra, ,l,,,.l .,,l
the Netherlands, yet feel the advantage of having
the members of this community to attend their
Hospitals.
In 1869 tho sphere Of usefulness of these truly,
pious ladies was extended to the United States,
through the means of Mrs. Seaton of Now York,
lady OF distinguished birth aud education, whose
name is yet IN veneraton 10y all vino knew her and
whose memory will he blessed ny children vet un-
born who will feel the beneficial influence of her
disintcrcs,cd pirty and self. devution.
In Baltimore her des guS were encouraged, by the
Nost Rev. DR.. Carroll, then Arch Bishop of Bal
tinorc. BY his directions the original constitu-
tons oil ST. Vincent were odiod, to suit the
manners and customs of this country. The modi-
hcations received his sanction, and Mrs. Seaton
was cxhor;cd TO proceed. A few Indies Joined her
III her nrduous and heroic undertaking, and she
established her little community about fifty miles
from Baltimore, i'll the Valley OF ST, Joseph, near
the town OF Emmctsburg in Frederick county,
Maryland. This is the principal establishment
and is called by them the Mother House. Hare
they have an Acadamy for the instruction of young
ladies on very extensive plan. The Community
is governed by Superior aud Vice Superior, called
Mother and Assistant Mother, aud two Counsel
Tors. These officers elected every three years
by a majority Of votes. No can hold the place
oil Mother tor more than two terms consecutive
iy. The Sisters make their engagements for
year only At the end of this time they are ut H.
berry to leave the Society il they think proper
Their vow of poverty is strict in the extreme They
receive no remuneration for their services; small
sum Is paid 10 the Community, barely sufficient
Tor their apparel and to provide for the contingent
cy of sickness. The Catholic Orphan Asylums
and Charity Schools in most of the large cities in
the United States, have been placed under their d
rection. They have an establishment in ,ston,
one in Albany, two in New Y ork, one in Brooklyn
three in Philadelphia, in Wilmington, Della
ware, one in Baltimore, two in Washington cit Y,
one in Alexandria, one in Frederick city, one in
Cmc.nnat, one in -. Louis and in New Or.
ieans-lt is impossible TO recount the good which
Is performed by them in these institutions, or
to tell how many hundreds they have saved
from ignorance, and perhaps from infamy.
In Baltimore they have the charge of the Iufirma.
ry which is connected with the Medical College,
and in st. Louis Hospital is placed under their
care 1t is in sach haunts of suffering that their
usefulness is more ieclingly known. With what
tender sympathy do they not receive tho patient,
who is 10 he the object of their future care? He
meets with hearts which are melted at the recital
OF his sutferln9s; and the true compassion which
he witnesseh give him tho assurance that in them
he VIII lind aitectIonate mothers With what I'M
wcaricd patience do they not watch every accident.
al change in the disease. With what tender soil
c:ude do they not give every relief? They are
ingenious in inventions TO save him from pain and
procure him the least momcmtary comfort. With
soothing ard consoliug words they revive his
dropping sprits-with religious zeal they alleviate
the agonies of death, and by seasonablo exhorta.
tons, prepare his soul 10 appear before the
oign judge. These arc the helps, spiritual and
Poral, which Religion suggests to the feeling heart
OF PIons woman, and in which Religion alone
can give her the courage to pcrseycrc.
When tho dreadful scourge which has depopula-
ted our cities visited Philadelphia the civil author
itics oftl0t city expressed a wish to have the as
slstancc of tho Sisters of Charity. The wish was
MADE known to the community, by the Right Rev. |
ercnd Doctor kenrick, and by return of maj thir |
teen heroines landed in Philadclphia ready |
TO rush with J0y TO the assistance of those from
whom the rest of the world seemed to fl v with boy
r0r The scene at the Mother House. when the re-
q"ost was made known, was related to me bv 4 n
eye witness, and is characteristic of the devoted
ness OF this pious coinnun ty.--'The Council was
assembled, favourable determination immediately
taken, and selection made ofthose who were to
START Joy beamcd upon tho couutonance Of those
who were selected, and their preparations we c
soon made, whilst those who remained behind,
with sorrow upon their brow, looked with pious
envy on those upon whom the happy lot had fall
IN.
In Baltimore the same request was made. and
vas met with equal hcroisn. II was here that was
inundated the first victim of Charity, in tho per
'ou Of Sister Mary Frances, tho daughter of the
ate Benedict Bolrman of Charles csunty, Mary.
and once admired in the extensive circle in which
The moved. On the morning OF the day m which
the died, she tainted from the weakness occasion
I'd by the ptomcnitory symptoms orCholora.
Whilst preparing TO take the remedies which had
zen prescribed for her, patient colorod wo-
man, was brought into tho Hospital. The case !
ecmed desperate, and to require immediate assist !
nee, and the heros sister forgot herself To give
cIief 10 the patient. But her delicate frame was
30 weak, and the disease too strong. and in few