Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-06

AhC cAbIhOIulnbTy ana Ia
naticism of the people are seen in the
strongest light, however. during Holy
Week, when large numbers throughout
the territory participate in the exercises
Of the Society Of P~enitentes, which is
disceuntenanced by the priests, though
i originally sprsng from the Church.
The headquarters Of this organization
are at Mora, and its branches extend in
every direction, including among its
members a considerable part Of the pop
u%lation, both male and female. IL meets
IN the Morada, or assembly hall, and its
transactions are secret, but It's avowed
object is the expiration of sin by the in
Fiction Of violent bodily punishment.
Toward Good Friday there is an unusual
activity in the society, aud the town hall
is occupied nearly every evening by
meetings, which are signalized to the
outsiders by dismal cries, groans and the
mysterious rafting Of chains-prepara-
tons which result on Holy Thursday in
the public scourging Of those members
who desire to chasten themselves aud
make atonement for their offenses. The
day is regarded as a festival, aud a crowd
of eager spectators gather about the hall.
After many preliminary ceremonies, the
door is thrown open, and the p%eLitentes
file into the April twilight on the snow
covered street to the dolsful music Of a
shrill reed instrument played by an at
tendant. They are destitute of other
clothing than a thin pair of under.draw.
ers, and their heads and faces are hidden
IN white cotton wraps, so that their neigh.
bors may not, by recognizing them. have
cause TO wonder what crime they expi.
ate. The leader staggers under the
weight Of a heavy cross about twenty
feet high, and bis companions, shivering
with Geld IS the wind beats their naked
bodies, carry thick lunches of the thorny
cactus in their hands. The attendants
place them in position, and at a given
signal the procession moves, chanting a
plaintive hymn to the time Of the must
clans pipe. AT every second step the
men strike themselves over the shoulders
with the cactus, leaving a deeper scar
with each blow, until the skin is broken
and the lacerated flesh pours its blood in
a carmine trail on the snow Several
are bound at the ankles by raWhide
thongs, 9 dagger, pointed at both ends,
being secured between the two feet in
such q way that when they stumble it
stabs them in a most sensitive part. The
scene becomes sickening with horror,
and repressed moan Of anguish fill th9
air as the cactus brushes afresh the
streaming, quiVering wounds. No one
is allowed to retire, aud when the cross.
bearer sinks to the ground from exhaus.
ZION, the attendants quickly raise him
and urge him on again with his heavy
burden. The route is traced along the
white road in crimson footsteps, and aE.
ter parading the alleys Of the town, tho
procession turns off toward a steep hill.
in ascending which their bare feet are
cat to the bone by the sharp projecting
rocks. The eminence gained, prepare.
tons are made for a new and surprising
torture. The cross is laid upon the
ground, and the bearer is so firmly
bound to it by lengths of rawhide that
the circulation of the blood is retarded,
and a gradual diseoloration of the body
follows, dis arms are outstretched along
the transverse beam, to which a sword.
pointed at both ends like the dagger be-
fore mentioned, is attached, and ii he al
lows them to drop a single inch from
their original position, The weapon pene-
trates the flesh. Amidst the unearthlv
groans of the b~ystanders and the shriil
playing Of the musician, the cross is
raised, and the cruci6ed turns his agon,
lied face to heaven, while the blood
slowly trickles from his wounds and a
livid hue overspread his skin. How
long he remains is merely a question of
endurance, for eventually he loses con
seriousness, and not until then is he re.
leased. AT the conclusion of this bar
barous performance, which occasionally
results in death, the Penitentes return to
the Morada, and the celebration is
brought to a close Vim. II. Rideiag
IN Harper's Magazine for June.