The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-06-04
mernIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
IETrIR FROM TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
Nsw ORLEANS, sUNDAY..JUNE 4. ISL.

LETTER FROM TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
THE CONvENT-WHAT BRINGS THEM HERE1
SEVERAL oRDERs-THE URsULINEs-CUI
BoNO-THEIR TERMS HEALTHY LOCA-
TION-ETC.
TUSCALOOSA, ALA, May "a, 1871.
To the Editors Of Morning Star:
1t may be gratifying to your readers to
hear from quarter hitherto unknown 10
your columns. Your duty is to chronicle
facts of Catholic interest, and therefore l
hope you will fnd the following letter
worthy of being inserted in your valuable
paper. The motive which impeis me 10
write to you at present 10 to call the atten-
ton Of the Catholics Of the province 70 the
fact that the beautiful Convent OF the
Ursulines, established here in 1866, Is no
longer isolated from the outside worid.
Heretofore the boats ply ing between Mooiie
and Tuscaloosa, on the warrior iVeF'
afforded the ouly agreeable mode OF access
to this beautiful city. During the summer
months these boats were unable to reach
Tuscaloosa. A few days ago the last
spiken was driven in the Alabama and
Chattanooga Railroad, which places the
sCity of Oaks" in immediate connection
with Mobile, Chattanooga az d New Orleans
i'm fact, with the ..wtoie world and the rest
of mankind" A ride Of twenty seven
hours will take any of your citizens, if 80
disposed, to enjoy the mountain air tor
which the hills Ut the Warrior coal region
are famous. Mobilians can reach Tusca-
lOosa in ten hours.
THE CONVENT
of the Ursuline nuns is situated about 9OO
yards II Om tue ground upon which the
depot OF the A. and G. r. r. will eventually
be built. Being situated outside the city
limits, it is free from the annoy ances which
attend when such institutions are near
thoroughfare. :,
The grounds are spacious, and we'll
ADAPTED in every sense to the use Intended.
ThSconveDt itself, originally built for
gorgeous private residence, would seem 10
lave been constructed by the hand Of man
to do the work Of God. I" Man proposes,
but G cd dispOses." 1t is at present In
fourshing condition, the pupils are IN
creasing IN numbers, and have no hesita-
ton in saying that it will have bright
future. Tie course of studies, discipline
and proficiency of the teachers, places 1t
even now second to none in the land.
But this age is unitarian, aud when
body of religious like the Ursulines enter
neiehborhuOd to them unknowh-when
they are strangers to strangers-when they
settle, build an altar, open school. anu
invite many to attend it, it is natural that
persons who lO.k on aud think about them
should ask questions.
WHAT BROUGHT THEM HEREf
Who asked themi What do they teach
What are their promises And those who
know. them not have right TO ASK ssc ~
questions. True, people whose standard 10
the world will judge everything that comes
in their way by that code. Provided they
think they can place their thumb upon the
effect, aided by a criterion which their OVID
ufficiepcy has made for them, they Will
literally create the cause; there ls nothing
easier.
Ii the immensity of space God has
spread consultations to each star he has
assigned place, and designated the sphere
in which it is To- move,
The work of order ia always crowned by
beauty. Christ has taught distinctly that
He who regulates the motions of heavenly
bodies does not overlook the concerns of
individuals. The sparrow does not fall to
the ground without His permission. Is the
worth of the soul, which He has created in
His own image and likeness, inferior to the
out the path over which each OF us Is
to travel whilst members of His Christian
Empire. Grace partakes of degrees. A
Diversity of graces supposes diversity IN
their observance. This ID very clearly ex-
hibited in the lives of SO many saints who
have adorned the Church@by their virtues
There are models in every state and situa-
ton in life. God calls some people to that
state in which they have the care OF the
family, and gives them graces accordingly
Others are called to an UNDIVIDED staIe
where no external duties press upon them
where they are not bound to please the in
dividual, and where they have not the com
fort or qualification of any one at heart
These are occupied in thinking of the
things of God, trying to correspond will
grace, and their object is spiritual improve
ment. They seek to be perfect, as thei
Heavenly Father is perfect" Person
called in this manner have not all the SAM
vocation their duties are not alike, thei
paths are varied each community soothe
the several wants of an afflicted people
God, in forming the mystic body OF TIL
Church, diversified her gifts and functions
so as to make the aggregate perfect. Is
unreasonable then that the duties and OBJ
jects of the several orders in the Churc
should be diversified whilst with tin
Church they retain one faith. OF these
SEVERAL ORDERS
some were instituted to protect the orphan
some devote themselves to prayer, other
visit the sick and cheer the desponden'
others devote themselves to the instructlo
of the poor. One is found in the abode {