Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-11-27
No5

stored their image to the place it
formerly occupied, as they alleged,
they found that it had power to
work woders, and to attract, as be.
fore. the believing children of the
Mother Church. From the time of
the return of the monks to the pre-
sent stream of pilgrims to the
shrine, and stream of money in
to its Golfers, have flowed without
iDtermission.
From 1916 TO 1919 famous man
was curate of Einsiedeln. During
the Period of his curacy he lost
confidence in the seoty image,
doubling whether the rel etiiios of
Pater Nosters and Aves before her
shine wonId avail to-take away the
guilt of sin. He iu,imated that the
sale of indulgences was shamefullv
abused at Einsiedeln. He even
yeptured impiously to assert that
"the greatest williams came mther
merely to get fresh courage. and
net one is even reformed" Kneel-
ing in his solitary cell, and crying
unto God "for understanding OF
the Word" he beheld the first tints
Of this bright day which was soon
to shine upon him.
lie then began to preach what
be believed to le the true Gospel,
rs revealed in the SCH ptures. He
denounced indulgences, pllg imag-
es and monastic vows with such
earnestness and such eloquepce
that the monks actually abandoned
their monastic life. His triumph,
was but temporary; the monks, re-
turning to their cells, resumed their
former mode of living, and he was
obliged to quit Einsiedeln. This
bold preacher was none other than
Ulrich Zwingle, the distinguished
leader of the Reformation in Swift
Z.iland.
The church at Einsiedeln, built
in the italian style, is large and
imposing structure. somewhat re-
sembling that of St. John Lateran,
at Rome. In the nave, Lot far from
the entrace, has been erected
black marble chapel of the Virgin,
enclosed by Il railing. In this chap
el stands the peculiar treasure of
the abbey, the little black wooden
group of the Virgin aud child, be-
fore which hangs "a constantly burn.
ing lamp. Each of the figures Is
attired il gold brocade, and each
wears IL golden crow richly jewell
led.
Einsiedeln is now one Of the mcst
famous resorts of Catholic pilgrims
i'll the world, only two shiines be
ing more frequented-that of San
Lonetto, ir Italy, and that of st.
james If Campostella, III Spain.
Its monastery, teuanted by about
100 monks, has library OF 30, 900 |
volumes, museum OF fossils, a
cabinet of minerals, and printing
press. A free day-school and a
boarding school are conducted by
the monastics. The abbot is known
throughout the Catholic cantons
as the Prince of Einsiedeln.' His
private chapel is gorgeous with
gold and crimson velvet.
Within the church are usually
hundreds and sometimes thousands
of devotees, PROSTATE before the
wonderful image, rcciting their
prayers-some shouting alond.-I
A single chapel in the church, that
of h "Magdalene," contains
twenty-eight contessionals, in which
confessions are heard in German,
French, Italian and Romausch. In
the chapel of the Virgin, already
mentioned, are annually suspended
three hundred votive tablets, in
grateful coinmemoration of sores
and wounds healed, of diseases
cured, of dangers averted, and OF
griefs assuage,l, in answer to peti-
tions protfered at the altar of the
Black Mandonna. Before that
altar about 10000 pilgrims an
nually kneel, to render thanks for
mercies past, to ilnplore forgiveness
for their sins, and to invoke bless
ings and protection for the future.
In 1861, within a period OF two
weeks, including the 14th of Sep
tember, the fetc-day of the abbey,
the number OF arrivals was nearly
thirty-six thousand. For the en-
tertainmcnt and rejection of the
pious hosts who flock TO Einsiedein,
tifty-five inns and some twenty-five
ale-houses open their hospitable
doors.
But the most striking evidence
of the reputation of this marvellous
Madonna in the Catholic world is
the belief entertained by some of
the faithful that devotions perform
ed at her shrine by proxy haye
certain efficacy. Hence, it is al
legged that many pilgrims who re-
sort thither are expected to do
penance or to purchase indulecncies