Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-02-13
LIFE IN A NUNNERY.
rRoM MIss pUNKLEY's NEw BooK

LIFE IN A NUNNERY.
FROM MISS BUNKLEY's NEW BOOK.
1t will be readily imagined that the unnatu-
raj state of things prevailing under the conven-
tual system is calculated rather to promote
than prevent the rising of those petty jealous
les and disIikcs which must be incidental to
such an association. Without the strong ties
of kindred or friendship to bind them one to
another, it is not likely that the poor prisoners
of a convent will spend in perfect harmony the
tedious hours and years of their compulsory
seclusion. A single incident may let ths read
der into the realities of that relationship which
Rome pretends to constitute among the un-
happy inmates of nunnery, and which she
designates by the deceptive name of ''sister-
hood
Having been sent one evening to work in
the boarder's refectory instead of that of the
sisterhood, while standing near one of the ta-
bles at which the boarders were seated, / took
up a basket and carried it to the scullery for
some bread Scarcely had entered the room
and handed the basket to the sister who had
charge OF the department, when L felt myself
seized by the arm, and, looking round, saw the
angry countenance of the sister who presided
at the boarders' table. She asked me, in a
passionate tone, by whose authority had ta-
ken the basket for bread, and whether had
been appointed waiter by the Superior. / an
swered no, and that l would not have taken the
basket had she not ordered me, the night be-
fore, to do so when she had said that bread
was wanted upon the table.
Tho e;S told mo +bat had No arthrr;4y nP
the kind, and that she would report me to the
Superior, and have me brought before s'the
council.'' I replied that ! was not conscious
of having done wrong; but she followed me
into the porch, talking in loud and angry
tone. l dreaded the sssacred council,'' and
went at once to the noyitiate, and told the
mistress of noviccs what had just occurred.
She answered me that had 'smany a cross to
bear.''
That evening, while on the way to my cell,
1 noticed in one of the cloisters a sister lean
ing against the wall. She beckoned me TO
her, and then made motion for me to follow
her. l soon found it was the sister who had
ill-treated me in the refectory. l became a.
larmed, as she was leading me to balcony be-
yond the cells. whispered that l must go to
my call-that I would be missed. By this
time we had reached the balcony. She insist
ed that L should wait, closing, at the same
time, the door after US. Just then, hearing a
noise near by, as if some one was crossing the
porch to the infirmary, we walked on few
steps to escape observation. The sister then
fell on her knees, asking my forgiveness for
having abused me, and begging me not to
speak Of what had occurred should L have an
interview with Superior priest. 1 would here
state that, in those interviews. sister is ques-
toned as to any difficulties she may have had
with others in the community. l promised
secrcsy, and went to my cell.
Wearied and exhausted with my duties in
the academy, besides my evening work, an ir
resistible oppression of soul weighing down
my powers of mind and body, tried in vain
to sleep. 1 thought of my i'll health, caused
by the laborious exercises had to perform,
and the sufierings and sorrows L had under
gone since my reception in the community
l looked out upon the future: it appeared to
stretch before me, even into eternity, 4 drear
path on which no beam of sunshine would fall
to cheer. and in which no voice of kindred
love would breathe its music of consolation to
my heart. ] sighed for my home. In DESC
lation of spirit, mourned for Its remembered
love. But the fearful consciousness came to
me that 1 was severed eternally from all that
made life dear. At length I rose, dressed,
and CROPPED my way along the cloister lead
ing to the choir, and from thence down the
narrow flight of stairs into the chapel. 1t was
dark, save for the few rays that streamed from
the solitary light which burned dimly in the
sanctuary. Kneeling before the alter, fas-
tened my eyes upon the crucifx above it.
Long and earnestly l gazed, but the feelings
pose in the contemplation of any material OBJ
ject. 1 bowed my bead upon the railing, and
wept. Ere long, the image of HIM who had
suffered arose to my view.; the pure and holy
Savior of the world, whose mild, benignant
eyes, in their pitying tenderness, penetrated
to the depths of my wretched heart, and shed
a blessed hope upon its gloom. 1 prayed
prayed earnestly, and from the heart my de-
sires flowed from its inmost depths. With
streaming eyes and unutterable groans, ask
ed Him, the Savior of the world, to deliver
me from this prison, this den of cruelty and
hypocrisy. l believe it to be the only time
prayed from my heart while in the institution.
With this outburst of emotion, this pouring
forth of my grief TO God in spirit and in truth,