The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-02-01
BY y. 8. DoDuk.

The four grand orders in the Roman
Church are Augustinan, Dominican, Fran
cscan, and Benedictine. The last is the
most celebrated. The first three consist
of frars,--the other of monks. Friars
(hme,) withdraw from the world to ell
joy religious fellowship; monks (noaachi),
to worship God in solitude. The houses
of the former are converts Of the latter,
monasterics. The one contains a society
of brethern or sisters the other of iSola-
ed recuses.
The abbey Of Belleiontaine is u monas-
terry of the straitest so't, 1t belongs to
the monks of La Trappe. Silence is alb
solute. .SedeJd >olitards ddceba, is inscribed
over the entrance-gates. The cells have
each table, chair, box, and two trestles
for the plank upon which mattress is
laid. Invalids may neither keep their bod
nor rest upon their chair. No change of
dress is allowed by day or night, in sum-
mer or winter. All property is renounc-
ed, all friendship severed. Two brothers
met every day in chapel for twelve years
and never spoke. No news is ever heard.
The common hall is hung with daubs of
hideous subjects. No one may 90 near
the fire or sit down to warm himself, None
but the father-prior sees newspaper,
reads letter, knows the death Of rea-
ton, hears n rumor of war, understands
tho policy Of governments, reasons upon
the effects of public measures, is inform
ed of passing events, appreciates the prog
ress of science, passes under review the
results Of enterprise, or takes to heart the
achievements of thought in the physical
and moral world. Every monk of La
Trappe is dead. His senses live Hi.
mind is neither idiotic nor crazed He
eats, drinks and sleeps is weary and re-
freshed, depressed and exhilarated goes
with alacrity to his task, or shrinks from
it as pcnance ; pef"rms pure devotion
or mutters prayers ms the galley-slave
pull at the oar; but for all purposes o
Christian manhood, is as dead as if he In,
been buried n thousand years.
1t was noon when we reached Belleion
taiue. The drive had been through thicl
forests and over dismal roads. Arounc
the monastery no person was visible. w
opened the gate entered the court ; pass
ed through low, white passages scanned
: every corner as our possible entrance
i threaded dark avenues and circuitou
d ways, and at last reached door tina
: yielded to pressure. An old man appear
c ed. To our surprise, he started back
! covered his face, and made violent ign
: for us to withdraw. 1t was the lady il
our party. Ignorant Of the rules of 81
Bernard, she had accompanied US within
the walls, but was compelled to return t
the hostel.
, Shortly, the monk, who is master 0
ceremonies to the monastery, entered
The hospitality of the house ii his care
He holds his Office during life, and is tn
sole link that connects La Trappe wit
the outside world. AS he is responsible
for the opinion visitors may form of th
k Order, he is chosen from among those VIII
" &C have formerly moved in good societ,
!. The countenancc of this monk was fine an
st expressive he held his shaven head cree
At and his address, though grave and carr
t. est, was pleasing and polite. He first o>
planned the division Of the Order. "W
=. are divided" he said, "into three classe
ID The choristers are educated Each ha
$, his stool in church. All are clothed
2 white. Each wears black scapular
i. which is laid aside during religious SCI
o. vice. The second class are attired
% brown. There are some yonder in ii
smithy."