Washington telegraph., 1855-06-27


passes without to excite sorrow and disgust
1t viii be recollected that I mentioned
three vows to be Observed by the Sisters of
Charity, in common with the nuns attached
to all Catholic cOnvents-poverty. chastity,
and obedience. The Interpretation OF the
first of these is sufficiently plain. the inten-
ton being to enrich the religious establish
ments With the property-if they should
possess any-Of the members of the COM
muBiiy, as it is more likely they would do
nate it 70 the institution to which they are
attached ;Ilan to dispose Of it any other way
being prevented by their Vow from re-
tanning it themselves, even If it was not.
as is the case, placed at the disposal Of the
Father Superior. when they assume the
! habit
OF the other two obligations some expla-
nation Is necessary, and the peculiar ideas
inculcated by the priests in regard to their
breach and observance will perhaps, prove
novel and startling TO the unsophsticated
denizens Of the world without, to whom ,Jes-
uitical casuistry and doctrines are unknown
studies.
As the result of these pernicious and de-
{
things, | crieve to say. existed among a por-
ton of the community. Il was some time,
50 little suspicion Of the truth was entertain
cd, before [ understood or appreciated the
( symptoms Of the malady raging around me
When the light dawned upon INV mind, it
was accompanied with shock as if of elec-
tricity, which paralyzed me for moment
i almost doubted the evidence Of mv sen
scs-bu; with the reaction was formed the
resolution TO escape At all hazards, only has
tened to its execution by subsequent events.
And here let ne add again, for would not
. be misunderstood, that do not mean to in
clude the whole sisterhood in one sweeping
charge of immortality Far from it. Many
are sincere in their feelings, and sincere in
their desire to serve God, however errone-
ous or ill-founded they may be; many would
be glad to be free from their bonds, and,
like liberated bird, sing and carole at their
release. But others. as [ have said before,
are infatuated with their lot, and no induce
ment would he sufficient for their voluntary
departure Infractions of moral duty and
departures from right are the consequences
Of the system. and the errors of the sister
hoad are justly chargeable TO the reverend
guides and direc;Orswho inculcate such mis-
chieyCus tenets.
As might naturally be expected. an ex-
tensive system Of favoritism prevails within
the walls Of the institution, not only rs re-
CARDS the Mother Superior, who dispeuses
indulgencies and partialities among those
on whom she can rely. or whom she wishes
to attach to herself. but with respect to the
priests and certain members OF the corDrnu-
nifty. Jealousy also exercises potent in
fuence among the sis,erbood- 1t Is no rare
sight TO witness the features of beautiful
girl convuIsed and distorted with passion
when she passes n rival who exults for
season in the triumph she has achieved. but
whO-p0or, deIuded victim soon has TO OK
perience he same sensations Of anger and
revenge at her deSertion for more attractive
objects Of prieStly desire and favor
( The power conferred upon the reverend
fathers by the PoPish doctrine of confes-
T sion, affords them great facilities TO accom-
piish their purposes, The utmost import
ance Is given to a strict eld punc:ual atten-
dance at the confessional, which may be trrl-
" called the throne of the Catholic eccleSi-
as:ic; for, armed with the self-assumed au-
thority Of God, in whose stead he officiates
on earth to the suppliant slaves Frustrated
before him, be deals from thence the terri
+ bic anathema of the church to the di<obedi-
eut and refractory. dispenses his abs6lution'
/ to the faithful and submissive, and pre-
+ scribes the Pcnance to be observed rs an ex-
: piation for sin. Seated in the confessional.
he is empowered, by virtue of his arrogated
! position, 10 pronounce queries, which. from
the lips of others. would be deemed hagrant
insults kneeiing there. the young maiden
answers queries calculated to eradicate all
feeling ofsnodesty-wO wOman's highest charm
and lays bare before the inquisitive search
of her spiritual director" every secret
Thought, every iEcipient sensation, every
! impulse of humanity. How easy, then for
an evil disposed confeSsor to infuse into
the innocent and trusting heart. whose por-
tai opens to his call-the germs of thoughts
whose growth cherished by his daily care
will soon I'll it with an impure and diseased
vegetation Of feeling and desires. If any mis-
trust show itself. any reluctance be mani
tested TO answer these artfully disposed in
quirieS. the OEjectOr Is soon quie;ed by\the
assurance that it Is the duty of her confes-
tessOr. i0r her sOul's sake-tiiat he IS the
authorized medium of communication be-
tween her and Heaven-that be occupies
) the place of the Almighty in reference to
her spiritual wants and requirements. and
must be so-regarded if she wishes to avoid
''Purga'orial iires'' and secure future felici
ty. Is 1t matter for WONDER then. that
those brought up within the pale of the
Catholic church. whose every thought and
feeling from childhood to maturity has been
watched and directed by their spiritual
guide, should yield themselves entirely up
to his control, and even see no danger to
their submissiveness, or evil intentions in
his assumed power and sanctity.''