The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-20

Like the cloak OF the midnight assassin, it con-
seals its hostile purpose under fair exterior
fsr by yelling its malice in the guise Of fiction,
ii infnses the poison Of les bigotry into the
nind, without involving itself in the RESPONSE
bility Of assertion attaching to works OF a grav-
sf character. We are no admirers of the con-
ventual system; but our objections to it are
based on far different grounds than the sweep
ing and Wholesale charges of tyranny and
sruelty that its religious opponents are so fond
& bringing against it. Some foundation there
snquestionably is fo- these imputasicns, but we
believe that it is more traditional than actual
and dates back to periods when all institutions
ecclesiastical as we'll as political, were in state
Of imperfect Development. Gases no doubt still
occur in which in this, as in other systems au
thority is occasionally abused; but the common
sense Of all candid and dispsssionate minds has
long since recognised the impossibility Of such
instances of cruelty as are narrated in the
volume before US being practised to any extent
10 Protestant or even in Catholic countries,
without the perpetrators Of them being render
ed more frequently amenable to justice. The
little support which Mr.. Chambers motion
IN NILS SuDJtCt Ncb WIN III tHc GUEllSu iIlla-
ment proves that in the minds Of the English peo-
pie at leost there is growing conviction ofthe
falsehood aud eyaggeration of most of the
charges brought by Exeter Hall fanatics against
modern conyeniual Institutions. The princi-
pie on which these establishments are founded
is bad enough, heaven knows, without their en-
emies egdeavoring to give an artificial coloring
to the picture, by drawing on their imagination
for facts which have no foundation except in
the inveteracy of their prejudices. Religious
matters have too high and solemn an import
ance to be treated in this way. Besides, truth
can never be propagated by such broad de-
parture from its canons. There is q natural
tendency in the human mind to revolt against
injustice, and it is questionable whether publ
cations Of this kind do not tend rather to
stimulate inquiry and promote feeling in IA
y0r of the objects of such gratuitous odium
and calumny, than to swell the common preju-
dices against them We all RI member the sem
Ration caused by the publication Of Sues
stuff Errant." It's immediate result was pre-
udicial to the influence of the Catholic priest
hood in France, but it was not long before the
public began to acknowledge that the picture
was grossly overcharged, and since then re-
igious reaction has set in, which now embraces
= larger proportion of the male population
than he's rs yet bent its knee at the altar at any
period since the Goddess of Reason first substi-
suited her lax observances for the strict discip-
line of the old faith.
Having thought it right in these few OBSERVE
lions to guard the unsuspecting reader against
the insidious objects of this religious tale, we
are bound in fairness to admit that as regards
literary smartness, boldness Of conception, and
Ingenious casuistry, it is very remarkable
publication. Had it been less plausible and in
tsresting as story, its parpose would not be
50 dangerous AS however it is evidently in
intended to swell the cloud of political pre;u-
Slices that the school and other questions have
raised against the Roman Catholic religion in
this country, we deem it but just towards q
large class Of our fellow citizens, to place it in
such light b fore the public, as that its real
purpose win not be mistaken.
The following is intended to illustrate the
catechistical strictness and severe corporal
discipline said to be still practised towards
heretical offenders in modern nunneries:-
We must now conduct our readers to subterra.
mean apartment, damp and chill, where the lady
superior and the two priests wrapt in their warmeet
envelopes, we're seated at q small table, on which
were o crucifx. missal and lamp; and before
which, pale and faint with abstinence, and SILVER
ing with cold bus resolute and courageous in spirit,
stood sister Marie.
She had been accused of heresy; and she stood
there to give account of her faitha simple, un'
4utored maiden. unsRiled in controversy urac-
QuApted with the Scriptures except in the few pas
saees which had guided her into the way OF saliva
aion through the working Of the Spirit Of Trnta.
you have ceased to venerate the most Holy Vir-
GIN said Father Dennis.
Il venerate her % a holy woman, and as tae mo-
Their Of my Lord, replied the nun, bat God has said
"Thou shalt have no other gods but me" and has
forbidden me to worship craven iulsge.'
But the Church has commanded her to be ador
ed
Unjust obey God rather than man. was tae re
sponse.
God has commanded Hl Church to be obeyed.'
The I'm WAS silent; she felt that God could not
have eDjonsd obedience to any contradiction o! MS
own wod; but she knew not what to answer.
DO you deny the merit Of aims and prayers and
pcnances:'
Il believe that all good works ought 10 be DONE be-
cause God loves Holiness; but know that can
never perform any watch are good enough TO merit
his favor. long tried to DO so, but could not.
.Heresy.' said Father 0fHooran.
do yon expect TO 60 20 heaven through tn.
merits Of the saintsI' asked FGther Dennis.
Through lie merits Of my Lord aud Saviour Jesus
Christ alone she replied, clasping her hands acd
looking upward He bore nay punishment he died
for me and shall live for ever With him..
More heresy! horrid heesy Then you deny
the merits of all the blessed saints, who laid up
stores of grace for poor sinnersv
There Is in CHRIST all I need-all grace, all sal
walton all glory. will seek II in none else
a damnsbe hereto Bat you surely seek tho
inter ession Of the saints If not their merits, said
Father 0'Hoofan.
There is one God, aud one Mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus. He does all
Tor me-
What say you 10 infalAbilityr asked Father
Dennis.
God II nfallible, and his word Is infsllible'
But q Peter was given tne keys of heaven.
Perhaps 70 but he will open the gate only as
Christ BIDS him.
The hoy Mother softens her Son when he is
. stern
Gan He who b,ed and died for me he stprr ? oh