The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-26
The Protestant and Catholic Religions IN
Court.

The Protestant ana Catnonc kSeug1ons IN
A PRoTEsTANT DAUGHTER PETITIoNNG THAT HBR
CATHOLIC FATHH1 SHALL BIZ SUPERSEDED By THE
APPOINTMENT OF A PROTESTANT GUARDIAN.
from the Providence Post, Feb. Al
II will be recolected that few weeks ago the Post
erred TO the fact that considerable excitement had been
city BY the conversion the Protestant faith subse
ouent withdrawal from her fathers house, of young
or %no Of Heath on SSostu.o1
hill This girl, who Is the daughter of Joseph Carroll,
teacher and sexton Of ST. Pasrcks church, has, since
about the 21st or January remained In seclusion In Mr.
Hesths family fearing 70 90 out a. she states lest her
father should attempt % exercise his parental authority
pssr.n her from enjoying hat freedom Of religious
opinion and worship which che desires. In order 70
secure relief nom any 'eg a.. 70 nss ,s,Dss
ton the Municipal Court for the appontmentof another
person guardian. The painful step was taken in &C
cordance with the counsel OF friends whose advice how
ever well and conscientious, In this case,
70 be feared, exceedingly injudicous. The movement
harsh treatment or even threat Of restraint in matters
of religion otherwise could be brought against the
guardian provided By the laws Of mature and Of GOd
noon, before the Municipal Court, Judge HopPn. The
court room uncomortably crowded, and Intense in
cans Of the parents. The petitioner modest, pretty
looking girl of sixteen, was present with Mr.. and
scene with remarkable equanimity and selrpos-
session, although sometimes, "a the uniform kindness
her parents and the present condition q
well up into her mild blue eyes, and thoughts would seem
fash through her mind too deep for utteranos The
present and the highly wrought feelings Of each OF
them sought frequent vent in foods Of tears Taking
all in ALL doubt 90 exciting case ever before came
The petitioner was by H. S. Bartlett Esq,
ana Messrs Thurson and Ripley appeared for the parents
The petition Of Eliza Jane Carroll setting forth that she
choice of Jeremiah Heath for her guardian aud
asking the petitioner to approve her choice read by
Mr. Bartlett when in answer TO the court the petitioner
stated that she would be seventeen old next spring.
that she the daughter OF Joseph had father
Catholic religion and that she left home for the purpose
| Of enjoying unrestrained religious freedom.
Petitioner examined by Mr. BartlettCAm afraid 70 re;
do all their power TO compel me to return to the Ca
tholc faith brought up Catholic the Catholics are
house. whether Mr. Heath Ia appointed guardian or not
experienced religion and became Protestant on the 18th
Cross-examned by Mr.. Thurston-Have lived with my
father during my whole life until the 2lst Of January
last have been employed Mr. Heaths shones6ov two
years as taloress took my meals and lodg6dN home;
my father school teacher and sexton at st. Patricks
church, left school within three years. have two bro
theirs and two sisters did not communicate To father or
mother my intention Of leaving the change in my
views the first notice TO them TO send letter. and
then told them in the shop father mother have used
might exercise any religious belief pleased but my
mother told me there was no religion about It, they have
again and again besought me to return TO their house
have received letter from my mother THE letter was
presented and read as follows:-l
MY DEARxsT Ez.I am in hopes you viii soon wish to see
Impotence for the moment that will restore her
arms and heart Do my dear return l. know you would
n and
conseSvenily unprepsrsS for the trials ibis world
osh1s
@
and al TIA. vacancy you have made your family
dear your father can compel you to home but
with mine % have Ssv. the x T Of ss %
innocent child Of sixteen YEAR, Of age to be drasssd
oaCsfs to her fsSsr home you lamPoOned
s s ss nd Se With
atty than States prison desersri never, my dear You
% claim as e which ali ought
Know; member you conade in mother, who you per
nm YOUR
Cross examination resumed-Father and mother have
always treated with Christian kindness and ndul
gencc know Of nothing to blame the conduct Of ether
the Bible and other books for three past have
read mostly works OF nenon A.ner has frequently en-
character historical &C. have felt an aversion TO heavy
reading; my change Of views commenced from reading
70 home because know went there could not enjoy
my religious duties Mr. Heath did not advise me TO leave
home; he said might come and reside with his family
have not been home or been all the 2lst Of
January father has offered 10 guarantee perfect freedom
In religious matters, but did not trust that guarantee;
while Il home did not stand in awe and fear Of father he
used harsh language TO was fond Of music and
ehei Wn !. .si ho SsS nos n
tend Protestant church was not allowed TO read the
Protestant Bible wrote 70 parents after leaving home but
they would not accept the letter Witness produced the
| letter, and II was read as foDows-l
PRovIprscr. Jan. q, 1883
much surprised TO receive this note from me The reason
write you is because snow that you would not permit,
opinion religion: natter, and nov repOqnse the 70
.snss fS g sSs sys
hs Bible and believe ha, God Ia. forgiven m q
lures Tor long Time, eoavn.ed that am now
hs @ns bo%s may
sion because fn9T tha: you would no, suffer me to re-
me an sSS
sa aa @ a p'fff From your sssSs '
Direct coninued-Expet encct reigon on the llth Of
January; have not been out OF doors since er homo
until today afraid TO 90 because my father could
take me- my sister has told me that II returned home
certainly would not be permitted 10 attend Protestant
meetipgs Roman Catholics would feel justified In using
restraint and deception 10 regain person strayng from
Mrs Mary A. Heath afnrmed-Petitioner has worked In
my husbands shop nearly two years have not sought 70
mon se ne unop se s%se o religion vas pV
my husband that she becoming Interested In religion;
wrote her letter. understood that she would have 10
| leave home or be compelled 10 60 TO confession.
Cross examined-Am not employed In the shop; never
have conversation with Catholics have strong prejudices
against thcm; will sometimes employ them 70 work
never had any communication with petitioner upon reli.
gous subjects except in writing; had talked with hus
band about the mauer understood that she came 70
house avoid going 10 confession; her friends
my house with holy water, and make signs Of crosses sc,
upon the petitioner most positively violent and win
| dictive enemyiof the Roman Catholic religion.
| Jeremiah Hesthj sworn-Pettioner came 70 my shop
years ago next month"; first conversed with her upon
religion about six months she was then as firm Ro
man Catholic any mortal could be- asked her n she
would read the Bible felt his duty TO do she read
the Bible and by degrees became Interested she only
Protestant church; have advised her "
abandon her home have assured her OF home and friends
upon the supposen shs, she would be compelled 70 leave
| her fathers house.
Cross -examined-I commenced the conversation with
petitioner upon religious topics felt my duty Chris
tan talk with her, regarding her In error; converse
tons not frequent at FIRST; did not consider my
duty change the girls views mortal man change
Catholic-nothng but Gods Holy Spirit; conceived 70
be my duty 10 impress upon her mind Protestant views
interviews held while at work Ihave from two 70
eight other girls In the shopsOme Catholic Protes
tant efforts not made with them. religious
conversations kept sudousy secret from the other
in the shop the petitioner did not wish 10 have known