The Placer herald., 1870-02-12
Sisters of Charity.

We extract the following generous tribute
to the Sisters Of Charity, from "Recol lee
tions of Thirly-fve Years Residence in New
Orleans" by the late Rev. I. Clapp, Jr.,
Protestant Minister:
Never ill l went to Louisiana did be-
hold that living and most perfect exempli-
fcation Of Christians spirit in the con-
duct and benefactous of those denominsted
Sisters Of Charity. Look at them. They
were, 10 many instances, born and bred in
the lap Of luxury. But, in obedience to
sense OF religious duty, they have reinquish'
ed the pleasures of time for the charms Of
life consecrated to duty and to God. There,
calm and gentle as angels they stay at
their post amid the most frigblfh epide,ncs
till death comes to take them 20 better
world. What a spectacle! Their whole
existence is passed in watching the sick,
and performing for them the most menial
Offices They indeed, fu!6l tie injunction
of the apostle, Honor all men," They glo
rify our common humanity. They feed the
hungry and clolhs the naked When |
have seen them smoothing the pillow, and
whispering consolation Of religion to some
poor fellow in his last moments-dyiDg
among strangers, far from home, never again
to bebO old the face Of wife, child, relative or
friend this side of the gave, could hardly
hardly realize that they were beings of NOR
talily. They seem to me like minstering
angels sent down from the realms of celes-
tial glory. Oh how immsasurably the
disparity between one Of these noble spirits
and mere creature Of the feminine gender
devoted exclusively to the foIlies and vsui-
ties of fashionable life, who makss a daz-
zliDg show for few hours and then sinks
to be seen no more. These angels are seen
in all our hospitals, both public and private
and in other places where their services are
required, irrespective Of the dislinc tions OF
name, religion, party, cline or nation.
Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church is
infinitely superior to any Protestant denom-
ination is its provisions Of mercy aud charity
for the poor. They seek to inspire the
most wretched and forlorn with those hopes
that point 10 better world. When was
in st. Peters church at Rome, on Sunday
morning, | saw the poorest, most obscure
and neg ected persons kuselpg on its spIen-
did pavement by the side Of the most noble
Inhabitants of the Eternal City. In that
Cathedral there is no place assigned for
the exclusive use of fashionable people, any
more than there is In heaven. All meet
on the same level as children Of one com.
mon Father; as travellers to the same grave;
as partakers Of the same promises, and heirs
to the same immortal glory. Throughout
Catholic Europe the doors OF the church are
kept open day and uight, from year to year,
and century to century. There, at any
hour Of the day. the forsaksn outcast on
whom the world has ceased to smile, can
repair, and, falling down before the altar
Of bis God, feel supported by the sublime
faith that be has in heaven a better and
everlasting Inheritance. Il may say that
the Catholic churches are the home Of the
poor) In countries enjoying this form OF
Christianity, the most fallen are incompara.
bly, less degraded than the worst Of those
who live in Protestant lands.