Washington telegraph., 1855-06-27

IF the confessional can be the source Of
perilous and demoralizing influence on the
youthful mind, and potent agent to sub
serve wicked aspirations, in the world with
out it viii easily be conceived that in a
religious community, whose members are Sc
cluded from public observation, and entrust-
ed bodily and spiritually. TO the charge Of
priests, It's sway Iaust be more controlling.
its power infinitely greater. Shut up and
deprived OF intercourse or communication
with parents, relatives and friends, AID re-
quiring bY the Ian of human instinct, SYM
pathy and discretion, the inmates of those
institutions implicitly submit to the guild
ance of their director and regard his in
functions and admonitions as ''oracles di-
vine" To him they resort in every triEing
difficulty, in every petty trouble, and, accus-
toned to view him as a wise arbiter and in
fallible monitor, 10 limit at least. is placed
to their confidence and obedience. until
they become pitieble or willing victims
TO their black-robed and b!ack-hearted be-
trayers.
Ny recollections OF MY noviciate at St.
JoSeph's will always be associated with con-
tempt and adherence of these men, WHO
use their advantages and their position for
the basest purposes, and with thankfulness
for my escape from their insidious snares.
1t was contemplation of the peril to which
/ was exposed. that FIRST suggested the idea
Of escape, at all hazards, from the ius:i,u-
ton. could have borne toll. privation,
and bodily ill-treatment. as the consequences
of my own rashness and impetuosi;y of feel
ing, bnt the future wore too dark and terri
bic an aspect for me 70 resign myself with qui-
etness to risk its evils. II was lot mere sus-
picion, vague conjecture, or false interpre-
tation Of signs, looks. incidents or language,
that induced my determination. Although
the conversations and actions of the individ-
nal members of the community, the secret
mysteries Of the confession, end other cir
cumstances which | have not related. (bc-
cause | cauno: speak with sufficient knowl-
edge Of their import were ample evidence
10 my own Judgment. of the alarming posi-
tion L occupied, yet. as it may be ccntended
by those interested in concealing the truth,
that my mental vision was distorted and nv
prejudices too strong 10 admit Of calm,
dispassioaate, rational deduction from what
| saw and heard, l feel most reluctantly
compelled, foreseeing these objections. TO
state an incident. concerning which there
can be no misconception.
i priest. who had been engaged in ezer-
eising his pastoral functions at st. Joseph's, :,
was about to leave the institution, and, as Is
customary, the sisters were required to en-
ter the room where be was stationed, and
ask blessing at his hands. previous 10 bis
. departure. When my turn came. went
/ in with downcast eyes and clasped hands. as
Is eDiOined. and knelt to receive the extend
ed beBedictiOn- But, instead Of the pres
sure Of his hand on my head, felt the i'm
preston Of kiss on my forehead. Startled
and confused by q salutation so unexpected
and inappropriate, l Staggered to my feet
and calculated. almost unc0nsciously. the
words, oh, Father ~ But before I could
recover my coInposure, sei2ing my waist
with his right arm. he drew ne towards him
and imprinted 2 kiss on my face before I
was able 20 break from his revoitinr en-
brace. Yet was compelled, from pruden;
fear Of the consequences, to be silent respect
ing this insulting treatment. What could |
do TO whom shall apply for redress and
protection? If | had complained to the
Mistress or Novices, or TO the Mother Supe-
rior, Of the inSolent outrage TO which had
been subjected, should have been denounc-
ed as a base calumniator of the Holy Faith
er," and punished for the offence, and per-
haps -- but | viii moi mention this
suspicion. if suspicion it were, the thought
Of which then filed my mind with horrible
forebodings. and even BOW causes me to
shudder at It's remembrance.