The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1872-06-02
The sister Of Charity.

The sister Of Charity.
A strange and unusual spectacle was as
presented to the passers-by in London, on
the 9th of April. 1t was funeral-no un.
common sight in this teeming city feC1
this one was exceptional. A white hearse
with white plumes. Carriages full OF per-
sons wearing white caps or wniee vsHs,
cabs crammed with people, and followlns
the mournful procession for many weary
mile, a large but orderly procession OF men ,
and women, their faces set IN sofrowiul
efforts to keep down the rising sob, ou
steadily marching on under tue ou oune zig |
sun of that truly summers day, until sne
gates Of the Kensal Greon Cemetery were
reached. And then the procession OF whlte-
yelled women formed in twos ana twos,
and the wall of both men and women onrsC
forth uncontrollab bly,, until the omcla'ing s,
a time nothing was heard but groans, and
sobs and tears. "And who was thisi"
asked Protestant friend, whose death
caused such comn,otion in this busy,
city Of ours t,s; WY, a. snese wos
to come!" "Who can it bel" was re-
peated from mouth to mouth. Reader, we
can answer the question. 1t was an
humble Sister of Charity, one whom the
world knew not, whom the rich often
brushed by her on her errands of charity,
one whose very name was unknown to
those who loved her best, save that one
which her deeds had engraved in the hearts
of men, "Sister Stephanie." For days
before all was over, sobbing women and
little children and hard-featured men
would hang around the convent door, and
| eagerly ask of any one who came forth,
[" How is the Sister to-day I" ard when the
answer was unfavcrable, rugged hands
passed roughly across streaming ming eyes 1a ala
dened steps. And then the end came. SO
sweetly, so peacefully, that those dearest
to her could not tell the moment whenthat
pure spirit went home; without moments
struggle, with the last words OF tMe aoso,n. o,a
, Der, and the faint response, "Thank you,
stili sounding in the ear of the loving So,
, perior whose hand she held, and who had
t watched over her day and night as Only
: mothers can. And there, robed IN her Sis
r ter's simple dress she lay and in hel
Q hand fresh, sweet flowers; and around thai
}, inanimate form, from carly morning unit
9 late at night, the poor crowded, kneeling
q sobbing and praying. Each had some stor,
Il to tell of her loving care. How tnis ON
the other had been saved from lingerlnl
sickness; how the third would have starve'
1t but for her help thus kindly gwen nov
j. the fourth would have yielded to tempta
as ton but for her kind, earnest words ant
l. go the theme was taken up and repeated o!
ID one fearful face after the other. Now wha
" was the secret of this humble woman
Of powerf Simple in character, in WORD ant
=. deed, how is it that she had such influence
ii. The answer may be found in tho one wore
to Love, She loved God with all her heart
a and this love extended itself to all arount
la her in thousand ramifcations which tn
I'd ingenuity of charity alone can teach: Sh'
in was likewise 80 thorough in her work, ant
ne with such detestation of everything tina
!. savored of humbug or unreality. what
lis ever her hand found to do, she did it Will
he all her might, as in the sight of God; a!
to example which all may follow who will
is- seek the same means, and strive to attain
ra- q like simple and earnest spirit. 1t was
nd sienificant fact that whereas hundreds o
~, grand funerals, with all the trappings o
me- woe, passed unnoticed that week througl
wn our crowded streets, this one alone, escort
m ed by those "patrons of our souls, tn
eel poor,h as St. Ambrose calls them, attracte!
lat the notice and sympathy Of people of al
,ut classes and shades Of opinion "Yet, whe
tty we first came to London they spat at usl
i'll quietly remarked Sister to whom we wer
to speaking of this funeral. May We not loo
in upon this change of feeling as an in dica
1 ton, not only of the greater liber ALT
ng shown to our co-relig gionists, but Of the wa
ing in which the Sisters work has told upo
M the masses-in our great cities f-Londo
en- Tablet.