Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-11-27
The Black Madonna.
The History Of the Famous Shrine of Elm
siedein
Written for the Anne rican.l

The History Of the Famous Shrine of Elm
siedein.
Written for the Anne rican.l
Ten or twelve miles southeast OF
Richterscroyl, a small town on the
southern shore of Lake Zurich, lies
the village of Einsiedein. This
village, insignificant in itself, is u
point OF great interest aud attrac-
ton, from the fact that it contains
miracle working black image of the
Virgin Mary, and also the abbey
and church which have been erect
ed in it's honor.
According to the chronicles of
the abbey, the history of this im-
age is as follows: During the reign
of the mighty Charlemage, Mein-
rod, Count of Sulgen on the Dan
ube, IL member If the ilustrlous
house OF l1ohenzollern, determin-
ed to spend the reminder of his
life in prayer and solitude. In pur
Snance of this resolution, he with
dew from the hauuts OF men, So
cluded himself in the wilderness,
and, on the place where now stands
Eipsiedeip, built for himself her
mit's cell and chapel for certain
wonderful image of the Virgin,
which he had received as parting
gift from the pious HeIdegardt.,
now a saint, then Abbess OF Zu-
rich.
In S61 the lonely man was mur
dered by two robbers. But the
custodian of so sacred an image
was not to die uEavenged. His
murdereis were discovered at Zu>
rich BY the peculiar croaking Of
two ravens that Meinrod had beer
in the habit of feeding, and were
executed on the spot where now
stands the Raven Hotel.
The death of Meiurod, aud the
circumstances attending it, caused
the rumors of his sanctity and OF
the miraculous power of his Ma
donna to be- spread far and wide.
His humble cell and chapel were
superseded by a monastery and q
elegant church, erected by some
benedictine hermits. The place
was thereafter styled Einsiedeln,
"a German word, signifying to live
in solitude), and the image was
designated as Our Lady OF the
Hermits." While the Bishop OF
Constance was preparing to conse>
crate the newly erected temple, &C.
lestial messengers announced to
him at midnight that that service
bad already been performed by the
Saviour himself, surrounded by "a
multitude of the heavenly host"
Pope Plus Will, by bull, con.
6rmed this statement, and, since SO
notable miracle had been wrought
for the new edifce, hecaused to be
inscribed thereon a declaration of
plenary indulgence to all who
would make pilgrimage to the
shrine of the Black Madonna. Pill
grims hocked thither from all quar-
ters, bearing such costly presents
that the monastery rapidly became
The riches in Switzerland, except
that of 81. Gall Rudolph of Haps
burg elevated the abbot to the rank
of prince, court was gathered
about him, and he became lord oil
a vast domain.
In 1898 the French army plum
dered the church and monastery al
Einsiedeln, carrying off, as was
supposed, Meinrod's Madonna; but
the monks, who fed at the ap-
proach of the French, also bore
away an image of the Virgin, which
they streDuously affirmed was the
original. We shall not presume tc
decide between the French soldiers
and the MONKS but the weight ol
authority seems to be with the lat