Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1866-06-16
from the Mobile Tmss.
Unusual Protestant Ceremoay.

"uN1 will W
doubt, create Q sensation in the religion
world,
Our readers caunOt have fsiled to no
tide that of late several attempts hav,
been spoken of in England qpd tn,
United States towards a consolidation
of the different branches Of the Churcl
Of England, and that it has even beer
hlnted that a reconciliation had beer
sought with the Church Of Rome.
The condition VI ,L;a rrorosod cove
nant have ever been made public, anC
although containing much to which the
Catholic Church would never yield as
sent, yet It shows that, in the religiouI
as we'll as in the political world, there il
growing a yearning desire towards uui
ty Of races.
The Protestant Episcopal Church
which contains so many eminent divineS
has always supported the principle o
authority, and it is, no doubt, in tha
principle, that the present movements
have originated
In the meantime, q tendency is eyi'
dent towards the retirements Of monas
tic life, tho abDegation of social inter
course, and the utmost devotion tC
works of charity by regular organiza'
tiOns.
Our own peculiar views render it i'm
possible to express our opinion in 9
matter Of such moment, and we can on
y repeat our ardent desire to see all diff
ferences between Christian scots recon,
clled on footing acceptable to all.
The interesting aud remarkable GER
emonies which we publish this day are
however, very surprising. We find q
worthy prelate of the Episcopal Church
actually administering the VOWS of chas-
titY, if not absolute celebacy to female,
living in a community on the same prin
eiple as the Sisters of Charity we fDd
that moral, if not legal oath binds
them to remain in that community un.
til released from that oath by the Bish>
op himself, who is thus Acknowledged
the spiritual chief of these lay,wouen
and claiming, no doubt, the right to
grant or withhold that release.
Where will such a movement lead
1t is impossible to tell but whatever
be the result we cannot conceal our ad.
niration Of any attempt made 10 pro,
tact women from the temptations Of mis-.
cry, Wbatcyer may have been urged
against coistcr life, we sincerely believe
that in the pious missions to which
these new Sisters of St. Mary are de,
voting their lives, there is an aim SC
pure, so sublime, that the admiration OI
the world will be their reward. The
irksome task Of political strife is pleas
dnty varied by such incidents and We
hope that our readers will find some in.
terest in the description of the ceremo.
MES which have taken place at St
Luke's Church, New York and which
we copy from the World:
Two years since, q new religious or,
der, called the Protestant EpiscoPa
| SisterbOod of St. Mary" was establish
ed in this city, under the auspices Of
the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter, and some
of the leading clergy Of the diocese
The rules of he organization prescribed
that its members should devote them
selves exclusively to works of mercy, by
attending the sick, aiding the poor, anC
disseminating Christian instruction
among the young. The membership
was limited TO unmarried ladies, or wild
Ows, over thirty, and, in order to be ad
mitted, it was necessary for them Il
make a profession that they would b.
subject to the rules of the institution
and continue their piOus laboFs till eithe
the urgent necessities of their kiOdre'
or some special providence called then
from their sphere Of duty. lu' such ca
ses the Bishop was empowered to re
lease them from thOir obligations. 'Fher
are now seven sisters in the society, an,
there are several on probation in 80
House of Mercy, St. Barnabas House
and the asylum for children, known a
"The sheltering Arms" The men
bers, and those anxious to devote them
selves to the same work, reside in thsG
institutions.
CONSIDERATION OF A NEW SISTER
Yesterday was set apart for the r.
ceptiou Of lady who bad been SON
time on probation as candidate for at
mission to the Sister~hood, and the Gel
emony, which was peculiar and imPt
sing, look place before large CongreO'
ton IN St. Luke's Church. Hudsc
b street. The service on the .Occasit
was one prepared specially BY BlSA'
Q Potter.
Al IL O'Clock, amid solemn ToluI
y tory, a large clerical procession mOV'
8 from the rObiDg room to the ohanc,
'. Among those near The altar Ecre 7
n. Rev. Bishop Potter, Rev. pr. M
=. Gan Dix, Rotor Of Trinity church
Rev. DR.. Richey, Rev, d.. Tuttle, b
10 - n NJ. non1n