The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-31
PAPIsTRY EXPOSED

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One of those startling and painful stories which
occasionally come to light, to expose the evils Of
the system Of the Romish Church, and to afford a
momentary insight into the Mysteries Of the Insti
tutions directly or indirectly connected Herewith,
has recently been revealed at East Grimstead, In
the county of Sussex, England. The story in
brief is as follows. t
There is Romish or Puseyite convent at East
Grimstead, called St. Margaret's one of the sisters
of which was a Miss Arthur, who before her adj
mission had formed friendship with Miss Scobell,
young lady of quick imagination and strong re-
lgious Impressions, the daughter Of the Rev. John
Scobell rector of the adjacent parish. After gain
Ing Miss ScobelIs confidence, 1t appears that Miss
Arthur opened correspondence with her, and
first by hints and then by open persuasion, endea-
vored to persuade that young lady to enter the
convent, adding that Miss Hughes, the Lady Supe.
rioress wanted some one to come and live with
her who bad pecuniary means, as Miss Scobell
was known to have to a large amount. The re-
quest was made known to Mr.. 8. by his daughter,
but he earnestly refused his permission The
father In the course Of touching narrative, SAYS:
My refusal Of consent appeared to be conclusive.
Miss Marian Hughes, g. M, wrote to me herself;
and this first attempt to take my daughter from
me was defeated. The next step brings me near
female, habited in black Of peculiar style, took up
her residence at the White Hart at Loves.
was at that time frequently visiting certain bed
ridden paiisbioner, and SO likewise was my daugh-
ter, who had always been assiduous among the
poor. This lady, whose name was Miss Wilkins,
called on me, and stated that at Oxford she had
heard of this person-that she had known her in
her early life-that she was DESTROYS of visiting
her, and requested my consent and permission.
sorrow was duty open to every Christian. She
persisted in asking my consent as parish priest;
and observing her dress and the cross, whichAy q
long string OF beads hung at her feet inquired If
she was a follower of DR.. Pnsey. She confessed
her religious opinions to be ia accordance with
his. told her they were different from mine;
that believed him tobe in error, and that it was
impossible she could visit in my name or with any
authority from me. She visited frequently this
sick person. Ny daughter did 80 also; there they
met and became acquainted and the chain, which
had been broken, was renewed.
Finding that their efforts to induce Miss Scobell
to join the convent, did not progress as satisfactorily
as they could wish, conspiracy was formed in
which priest, the Rev. j. ID. Meade, took
prominent part, and clandestine Interviews were
arranged between him and the intended victim,
during which the corruption of her mind was com.
pleted; and the priest, in connection with Miss
Greame, one ofthe heads of the convent, succeed.
ed in persuading the unhappy young lady to pay
q,
the earnest protestations of her father. This was
in August last.
In Six weeks she was persuaded to become
nun, taking the name of Sister Amy. There was
an epidemic fever. She caught it and was prostra-
ted. Her father visited her. medical skill triumph
ed, and the immediate danger was over, and
promise was made to Mr.. s., who was then at
Brighton, but short distance off, that If there was
any change for the worse, he should be Immediate
L. stxfA Doaw so.., L.. ~
stituton she had promised her father that nothing
should tempt her to ALLEVIATE her present or future
property. change for the worse did come, and
for several days it was known to Mr.. Neale and
Miss Greams, that she was sinking aud that there
was no hope of her recovery. But no WORD ma
sent to her father The lady died on the 18th ofhe
month An q o'clock on the night of the 18th the
medical man pronounced her dying. Still ne
message was sent At halepast five a message
was sent by railroad. Ateight o'clock telegraphic
despatch. But to neither of these would it be
possible for Mr.. Scobell to respond in person until
late in the afternoon. At halfpast she made her
will, leaving all her property to the institution,
with Mr.. Neale for executor, and Miss Greame for
executrix. When Mr.. Scebell arrived, his daugh.
ter was dead. Mr.. s. says:-
For the first time in our lives we were intro
duced TO Mr.. Neale. He spoke no word of sym
pathy. sorrow, or regret. expressed my wish to
have back the remains Of my child. He said he
was executor, and Miss Greame was executrix;
that my wish was also my daughters but it was
not material and should not be complied with un-
less certain peculiarities of burial, which she had
agreed to and wished, and to which he thought
should be likely to object, were permitted. made
enquiries, and Mr. Neale then produced to me-
whose child was scarcely yet cold in death-the
model of cofn describing also the pail, the bier,
the method of carrying, and the procession Of SIS
tors of Mercy.
We cannot pursue the narrative further. The
matter appears to have created profound feeling
in England, as the development Of papal practice
under the garb Of Anglican Churchism. 1t shows
too clearly the intimate connection between CT
tremes in religious faith and ecclesiastical al rule, and
as such the wrong is not likely to be unheaded.-
Evening Statesman.