The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-24

northwest corner OF Nassau and Fulton street.
oS- The following publications have just been issued
from this ofhce-No. o. Alson's History of Europs;
Mercedes Castillo the First Voyage of Columbus by
Cooper volumes so cents; The Rocky Mountains,
and Adventures in the Far West, by Washing
Irving rs cents; The Adventures Ferdinand Count
Fsthom, by smolett, - cents; the March number oil
Bla kwoods Magazine; sse, Angela Love and Guilt,
byF A Durivage, 'at cents
CONVERSION OF MIS-. Woop-PRoeREss on Ca
rHoncIrY.-The intelligence of the conversion OF
Mrs Wood to the Roman Catholic faith, and her
retirement TO nunnery IN England, which reacheu
us by the last steamer has, of course, excited gre at
sensation amongst the religious and literary circles
This is certainly curious incident. when viewed
in connexion with the remarkable "revival" as it
NAV be termed, which has lauery began to mani
fest itself in the Catholic church, well IN this
country as in England, and indeed throughout the
continent of Europe. With regard, however, TO the
particular case of Mrs. Wood we have learned
from the best authority, that a msstatement has
been given in the English papers, and that the real
history of this curious incident is what we are
about 10 detail.
About ten years ago, when Mrs. Weed first
rived in this country, the Trustees of the Catholic
Orphan Asylum of this city called upon her, and
solicited her assistance at concert TO be given for
the benefit OF the orphans, by the members of the
choir at st. PatriSk's Cathedral. Mrs. Wood
ceived them with an that amable feeling for which
she has ever been distinguished, and in the kndest
manner expressed her readiness to comply with
their request. She accordingly appeared and sung
at the concer, and the proceeds were of unexamped
magnitude, amounting to upwards OF 81 $50. The
Trustees OF the Asylum then deliberated how they
could best express their gratitude to Mrs. Woodfor
her disnterested andvsuabe services After varie-
ty of planshad been suggested and discussed it was
finally agreed that one of the female orphans
should weave a beautiful silk purse, and that
it should be sent to Mrs. Wood, with a note
expressing the grateful feelings of the inmates of the
Asylum, in language the most simple and expressive
thai could possibly be adopted. The purse was
cordingy prepared, and the composition of the note
entrusted to the Rev. Mr. Levins Of this city, who
was then attached to the church. This gentleman
is, as is well known, Catholic clergyman of most
finished education, extensive and varied literary
attainments, and possesses highly refined and cul-
tivated taste. That the selection OF Mr.. Levns as
the author Of the note, most udcious, is fully
evident from the itsslf-the touching pathos of
the sentiment, and the simplicity Of the diction,
cannot be surpassed. The following is a copy
MADAM
This is but slight token of the orphans gratitude
but is haowed by the orphans prayer. Whatever
happiness earth may it be yours-and when earths
which have relieved wants he blended with the Sc
rsph voices around the throne o. God in ,, Heaven
This note was transcribed by one Of the male or
phans, a young man who wrote most beautiful
hand, and who then undergoing course of
preparatory study for the ministry, but afterwards
ia NJ IL, coit Tuii
Parioe, and another lady, were then selected
deputation to wait on Mrs. Wood, and present her
with the purse and the note. Mrs. Wood,
ceivIng this simple offering greatly affected, land
ever afterwards thought and talked great deal
about it, When she was about to sail for Europe,
some of the Catholic clergymen, and others OF the
church, accompanied her to the ship, and through
out the well scene, the incident of the note still
seemed uppermost in her mind. in England she
continued TO manifest the feelings and on her
second visit to this country, it was found that
the remembrance of the orphans prayer was still
effectonatey cherished in her breast.
Such is the real history of the incident going the
round Of the English papers, and the origin of
which has been incorrectly attributed to benevo-
lent institution in the city of Boston.
The whole thing IS only specimen of the pecu-
liar tact and genius which at present characterize
the conduct of the Catholic priesthood both in this
counifv and in Europe. Having been deprived, in
the progress OF civil and religious liberty, of thatp
litica power and influence, which formerly swayed
the destnes of Kingdoms, the Roman hierarchy
are now diligently engaged in reviving that spiritual
power and regaining that strong hold the religious
feelings and affections of the people, by means OF
which they so successfully planted the doctrines of
the Church throughout Europe in the early and mid
die ages. No other Priesthood have been able to
awaken such sef-sacrifcing devotion, such enthu-
slastic pety, as the clergy OF the Catholic Church
have Infused into their people. In the writings OF
Thomas Kempls, and other Jealous fathers OF the
Church, discover the means which have
been perseveringly and successfully employed by
the Catholic clergy. In these writings there Is
sku blending OF poetry and the strong affections OF
the human heart, with religious dogmas and the dis
cipline of the Church Aud proceeding in this way
the Catholic priesthood have systematically la
bored TO dves religoa of all that stern severity, and
Iepusive gloom and cold formaty, with which the
Protestant Church has clothed it, and by addressing
themselves the senses, the Imagination and hearts
of their disciples, they have produced effects OF the
most imposing character. Whilst Protestant divines
have been beating the doctrines ofpredestnation and
the DEGREES into the reluctant brains of hundreds
their brethren OF Rome have been leading cap
tive the entranced feelings of thousands; and thus,
in the one case, we have had the cold results Of a
dogmatic theology, and, in the other, we have had
the brilliant fruits of religious poetry, sentiment,
and romance.
This revival" movement of the Catholic HER
archy, all the world. will in few years aston
ish the Protestant churches The Catholics have,
within the last few years, doubled the number Of
their churches and religious establishments in Eng
land, and in America they are increasing idly
every day. At this moment college and mo-.
mastery have been commenced in Illinois, and
another college is in process of erection at Worces-