Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-09

sister may determine sometimes policy may m
duce him to express holy horror Of the offence,
for the sake Of exaltng his sanctity, especially
II he entertans an aversion for the penitent or
may deem her an unsuitable subject for his
schemes On the other hand, should their own
evil desires induce them TO plan the moral destruc-
ton Of q sister, how great an advantage they pos
seas for its accomplishment by this doctrine Of pas.
sive and mertoious obedience To be plain, the
whole matter amounts TO this: the sisters are
taught that their vow Of obedience is supreme
the sisters are taught that their vow Of obedience
Is supreme-that the expressed will Of the Su-
perior must be regarded az the voice Of God; and
that If the vow Of chastity Ia violated by the will
of those exercising authority over them, no sin
can be imputed to them, because they are DONG
right by preserving invioate the vow OF ODE
dience.
As the result of these pernicious and democrat
ixing doctrines amented state OF things, grieve
TO say, existed among portion OF the community
Itwas some time, 80 little suspicion OF the truth
was entertained, before understood or apprecia.
ted the Symphonic Of the malady raging around
me. When the light dawned upon my mind it
was accompanied with shock as II Of electricity
which paralyxed me for the moment almost
doubted the evidence Of my senses--but with the
reaction was formed the resolution TO escape ut all
hazards, only fastened to its execution by subse-
quent events. And here let me add again, for
would not be misunderstood, that do not mean
to include the whole sisterhood in one sweeping
charge of immortality. Far from 1t Many are
pure In their feelings, and sincere in their desires
TO serve God, however erroneous and nl-founded
they may be many would be glad to be free from
their bonds, and, like liberated bird, sing carols
at their release. But others, as have said be-
FORE are infatuated with their lot, and no induce
ment would be sufficient for their voluntary de-
parture. Infractions Of moral duty and departures
from right are the consequences of the system, and
the errors Of the sisterhood are justly chargable
to the reverend guides and directors who incuicate
such mischievous tenets.
As might naturally be expected, an extensive
system Of favoritism prevails within the walls OF
the institution not only as regards the Mother Blu
perior, who dispenses indulgences and partalities
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 community.
Jealousy also exercises potent influence among
the sisterhood. It's no rare sight TO witness the
features Of beautiful girl convused and distorted
with passion when she passes rival who exults
for season in the triumph she has achieved, but
who--poor deluded WILKINSON has to expert
ence the same sensations of anger and revenge at
her deserton for more attractive objects Of pestly
desire and favor.
The power conferred upon the reverend faith
eun by the Popish doctrine of confession, affords
them great facilities to accomplish their purposes.
The utmost Importance ia given to strict and
punctual attendance at the confessional, which
may be truly called the throne Of the Catholic &C.
clesiastic for, armed with the selfassumed au-
thority of God, in whose stead he officiates on
earth to the supplant slaves Frustrated before
him. he deals from thence the terrible anathema Of
the church to the disobedient and refractory, dis
penses his "absolution to the faithful and sub
missvc and prescribes the "penance to be OBJ
served az an expiration for sin. Seated in the
confessional, he Is empowered, In virtue Of his ar
rogated position, to pronounce queries which,
from the lips of others, would be deemed fragrant
Insults Kneeling there, the young maiden an
swers questions calculated TO eradicate every feel
Ing Of modesty-woman's highest charm-and
lays bare before the inquistive search Of her
spiritual director" every secret thought, every
incipient sensation, every impulse Of her humanity.
How easy, then, for an evil-disposed confessor
stealthily to inuse into the innocent and trusting
heart whose portal opens TO his call the germs Of
new thoughts, whose growth, cherished by his
daily care, will soon fill 1t with an impure and dis
sased vegetation Of feelings and desires.
Ifany mistrust show ITSELF any reluctance be man.
Tested 70 answer these artfully disposed inquiries
the ohjsctor Is soon quieted by the assurance that
It Is the duty Of her confessor for her souls sake
that he Ia the authorized medium Of communica-
ton between her and heaven-that he occupies
the place of the Almighty in reference to her sp-
ritual wants and requirements, and must be so re-
garded II she wishes to avoid purgatorid fires,
and secure future felicity. Is Il matter for won
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 to his control,
and even sec no danger In their submissiveness, or
evil intentions in his assumed power and sanctity.
II the confessional can be the source Of perilous
and demoralising influence on the youthful mind,
and potent agent to subserve wicked aspiration,
Gin the world without" II win easily be conceived,
that In religious community, whose members are
secluded from public observation and intrusted, bod
lily and spiritually to the charge of priests Its sway
must be more controlling, its power infinitely great
Or. Shut up and deprived of intercourse or COM
municaton with parents, relatives and friends, and
requiring by the law Of human instinct, sympathy
and direction the inmates of those institutions Inn
pcitly submit to the guidance Of their director"
and regard his injunctions and admonitions as .or-
a.les divine" To him they resort in every trifng
Ghculty, in every petty trouble, and, accustomed
% view him as a Wise srbiter and infalble meni-
COR, no limit at least Is placed TO their confidence
and obedience, until they become pitiable or will
ing victims to their black robed and back-hearted
betrayers.
NY recollections Of my noviciate At St. Joseph's
viii always be associated with contempt and abhor
ence Of those men, who use their advantages and
their position for the basest purposes, and with
thankfalness for my escape from their insidious
snares Il was q contemplation of the peril 70
which was exposed, that frat suggested the idea
OF Escape, at all hazards, from the institution.
could have borne toll, privation, and bodily III.
treatment, AZ the consequences OF my own rash
ness and impctuosty Of feeling but the future wore
too dark and terrible an aspect for me 10 resign
myself with quetncss TO risk its evils II was not
mere suspicion, vague conjecture, false inter-
probation Of signs, looks, Incidents or language,
that induced my determination. Although the
conversations and actions Of individual members
Of the community, the secret mysteries OF the
confessional and other circumstances which have
not related because cannot speak with sufficient
knowledge Of their import were ample evidence,
70 my own Judgment Of the alarming position
occupied, yet as IL may be contendcd by those In.
terested In concealng the truth, that my mental
vision was distorted, and my prejudices too strong
to admit Of calm, dispnssionate, rational deduc-
tlon from what saw and heard, / fell most reluc-
family compelled, forseeing these objections, TO
state an incident, concerning which there can be
no misconception-
A ,s.so.t whn had hean cnos god In cxercianp