The Hickman courier., 1871-03-25
ROMANCE IN RELIGION.
from Reading the Passion
and Death OF Our Lord.

A novel and remarkable case Of reli
gious insanity occurred last week at the
convent of the Sacred Heart--a Catholic
institution of learning in this city. The
subject was young lady who had been
for some time boaroer. in the Convent
and had entered upon the duties of postu
lant-the initiaiory step to becoming a
sister. She had been a close student,
aud had been noted for her exemplary
conduct and quiet demeanor. Her am
bition to excel in all the duties Of her
profession at first impairiDg her health
and afterward weakened her mind
Not long since she became deeply i'm
bued with belief that the conflict against
the world and its vanities was one Of q
very extraordinary nature, and that j
was her duty to carry it on at any ex
pense to her physical welfare. Will,
under the influence of this religious en-
thusiasns andgte .fortify herself, ms sh
said. seaipst her seui 'sessny, shs world
she read during her solitary hours thu
vivid and painful account of the las
agony of Christ, as seen in a vision by ,
French lady, ST. Catharine Emrnerich
But the weakened mind, reduced by
vigils and fasting, could not endure the
portrayal of that divine tragedy. Posi-
tive and upmistaksble signs of insanity
soon manifested themselves. The FIRST
circumstance that attracted the attention
of the pupils was trifing one at the din
ner table, few days since. She was
called to fill plumber of tumblers OF
water, and persisted in using an empty
pitcher for the purpose. Remonstranee
was Of no avail She declared that ''she
knew what she was doing" although the
sorrowful evidence that she did not was
too plain. Soon after dinner she was
missed from her wonted place, and on
search being instituted her companions
found her 10 the summer house, staring
vacantly, and giving every indication of a
mind diseased. A dog-an old favorite
of her rs-that ventured near her, was
violently attacked and beaten. She de
clined all overtures looking to her return
to the convent, and finally ran to an ad
jacent building, to the roof Of which she
soon ascended. Here with her feeble
hands she dashed heavy chimney pot
to the ground. In doing this she serious
ly cut and bruised her hands and arms
When she was asked if she was hurt, she
replied with sad smile that she was not;
and she soon began kissing her wounds
which she declared to be like His who
bad died for her.
The matrons and children Of the school
were terrified at her strange conduct and
language. 1t was a matter Of great diff
Guilty to lure her from her perilious po-
sition on the house top. 1t seemed every
moment as if she would attempt leap,
which, in all probability, would prove
fatal to her. Finally, one of the nuns
asked her ifsbe would not loan her the
book which had so wrought upon her
mind, and in consenting to do this she
quietly returned TO her room in the con
vent. She was at once taken to the in
Urinary Of the institution, and there she
was tenderly cared for. For several
days she lay in a sweet deiirium, singing
low toned hymns to the Virgin Mother,
and csrressing her wounded hands with
loving satisfaction. 10 the meantime
her friends had been notified, and they
came in all haste to remove her TO her
home.