Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-23

The CIOIsters Opened TO the Outer
W0rid-A Visit 10 the Convent of the
Sisters of Merey-The Life of a Nun
An Interior View Of n Convene.
From the New \ Ork Sun.

worid-A Visit to the Convent of On
: Sisters of Merey-The Life of a Nh
An Interior View Of n Convene.
From the New York Sun.
"What are they doing in convent
all the time" said very intelli
gent Protestant gentleman to me
II will find out and tell you,"
replied.
So, true to my prOmise-I never
break promise unless tbs more
honored in the breach than the OBJ
servance"-I posted myself off to
the Convent of the Sisters of Mer-
cy, at the corner of Mulberry and
Houston streets, and asking for
Sister e., to whom | brought an in
PRODUCTION, found no difficulty in
obtaining admittance and an inter
view.
AN INTERVIEW WITH AN ASSISTANT
SUPERIOR.
When Sister, or rather, Mother
C., entered the parlOr-I ascertained
afterwards that she was the Assist
ant SUPERIOR was little embar-
raised, scarcely knowing how to
frame my request. Assured, how
ever, By her gentle looks and kind
ly greeting, "outed with it, and
told her my Grand / related pre-
cisely what had passed between my
friend and myself, and wound up
with the request; evil you let
me go through your convent. and
report to my friend ?"
PRAYER IN THE CONVENT CHAPEL.
She smiled a sweet assent, and
telling me | might go at once, but
it was near twelve, appointed the
next day for my visit. l rose to
take my leave, but, taking my hand,
she first led me to the convent
chapel, and, after a moment, bowed
in prayer, rose and explained the
subjects illustrated by the beautiful
stained glass Gothic windows.
Then, conducting me to the door,
she again urged my visit on the
morrow.
THE PARLoR OF THE CONVENT.
Punctually at the hour appointed
| was at the door. At the first
touch of the bell-handle it opened,
and the lay sister in the Vestibule
showed me to the parlor-a large
and cOmmodiOus room, comforta-
bly, furnished, but not modern
either in furniture or finish, for it
was warmed by large open CRATE,
whose Cldsfashioned brass append
ages glOwed with the brightness
that is only given by daily and con-
slant care.
A CICERONE.
Soon cane Mother c., in the
modest dress of the order, and,
after some kindly conversation, ex-
cusing herself from being my cice-
rome, she introduced me to another
sister, who said she would be my
conductor through the house. And
as we proceeded she gave me all the
necessary information, seeming,
with marvellous intuition, to antici-
pate my every inquiry.
THE HOUSE OF MERCY-HUNDREDS OF
YOUNG GIRLS AT WORK.
As had already seen the little
Chapel of the Virgin, we passed the
door, and proceeding along the cor
ridor, entered the House of Mercy
attached to the convent. Here |
found q house and school of indus
try, perfect in all its appointments,
presided over and managed in all
it's departments by the sisters and
lay sisters. Hundreds of young
girls were at work in the different
apartments, all neat, silent, and or
derby,
AN IMMENSE LAUNDRY.
A large laundry, where ten thou
sand pieces are washed at time,
dried by steam, and irOned, offered
employment to a part Of these girls.
Most of this is plain work, but A
great deal of starching and huting
is also done, under the eye of the
sisters, and frequently their own
fingers perform the work, while act
ing as teachers to the new hands.
These operatives and pensioners are
virtuous young girls, who have been
rescued from the streets. Very few
of them seemed over twenty years
of age, and three little ones, l OBJ
served too young to work, the small
est of whom, little bright eyed Mary
McFadden, only three years old, ran
up to the ''sister" when we entered
this juvenile department, with the
happy confidence a child gives its
mother.
REFUGE FOR POOR YOUNG GIRLS.
Whenever a virtuOus poor young
girl is out of employment (those
who have fallen from virtue are sent
to the Sisters of the Good Shep-
herd, , she has only to apply to the
Sisters of Mercy for protection,
home and employment and whether
she be Catholic or Protestant, jew
or Gentle, she is received into their
House of Mercy. Here, under the
eve of the sisters, they are IN
structed and perfected nthe branch
of industry to which they are best
adapted, staying as long as they
choose, and furnished with home,
food and clothing. After proving
themselves efficient workers, if they
prefer the House of Mercy to any
other home, they are paid wages.
If they desire situations, the sisters
aid them in procuring them, or send
them to places in the West, many
of these pensioners being emigrant.
just from Europe.
SEWERS AND SEWING MACHINES.
In other rooms found many o
these girls engaged sewing, some a
machines, which they are taught Il
manage, others with their needles
learning every variety of plain sew
ING and beautiful embroidery.
NO SECTARIAN-THE KITCHEN.
Upon Sundays and the regula
holidays of the Church, these girl
accompanied by the sisters, go t
church; but those who are not Catt
| olics are not obliged to conform