Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-12
THE REPUBLIC.
which Exists Within q Convsnt's
Walls. ,aaa
How Sisterhood is Formed and Conducted
Admitting Nuns-lntetesting
Lecture by Bishop Kain,
. Yesterday

The fourth Lepten lecture, delivered BY
Bishop Kahn, was an interesting EXPOSE
ton of the manner of conducting con-
vent. as seen from the inside. This sub
iect was begun on the Sunday previous
and continued through yesterday. The
cathedral held as large a congregation as 1t
conveniently contain. Many Protestants
xere present and the members OF the
church kindly made room by opening their
pews for their use. In addition to the lee
ture, were the interesting services OF the
church and some good music by the choir.
Enough has already been said Of the ora
torical powers of Bishop Kahn to acquaint
our readers with its force. On this occa-
sion the lecture was exclusiely descriptive
in its character, and, to those whom con-
vent life has been a sealed book, intensely
interesting. In the first place, converts
were not established al random. Only by
direct authority of the church can COM
munity be formed and then under q regu-
lar series of laws and rules for its govern
ment. 1t is a common and mistaken idea
10 suppose person can rush
right into convent, or that
convent invites every one to
enter. On the contrary, admission is
privilege accorded TO q chosen few and un.
der certain prescribed circumstances. An
application for admission is made and ii
the applicant be a suitable persons, she be.
comes a postulant and much enter long
term OF probation. 1t must be decided as
we'll whether she will be in perfect bar
mouy and accord with the institution, as
whether, at the final moment, the entry
will be so satisfactory to herself as to be
longed for with spiritual earnestness.
The Bishop, or some ecclesiastic deputed
by him, examines her mora and spiritual
condition in the beginning and should the
result be satisfactory, she begins her term
of probation. When it is conclud-
ed, she is either rejected,
or if accepted, ready to. be-
come a novice In the latter case she
must be admitted only by vote OF the
community. Directed by prayer and
guided by conscience, the Sisters deposit
their ballots and, il the result be faVora-
BILE. she enters her novitiate and is per.
mitted to wear the habit Of novice.
Then begins the great trial. The majority
of noyices return to the world and only
the minority enter the Sisterhood, show
ing the test TO be very thorough. The very
worst aspect and the seyerest trials are
shown the novice, in accordance with
maxim that even antedates st. Benedict
hi : self. Under the novitiate the true dis.
position develops itself. The novice learns
to lose thought OF self and turn her whole
soul to God. Her disposition must be
cheerful and happy and not even the
egotism of sorrow must be carried within
the convent walls. At the conclusion OF
the term of probation, which may be
months or year, as the case may be, The
novice becomes ready for the final entry.
She may still turn back, or her mistress OF
noyices may decide against her admission.
II she is prepared for entrance, another
vote is taken and if accepted, she is per-
mitted to make the vows which raise her
from earth and consummate her nuptials
with Christ. She enters the convent,
knowing, from her novitiate, exactly what
is expected of her and what she must do.
She vows obedience to the rules of the COM
munity, knowing what they are; and in
this respect how different is she from the
earthly bride, who vows affection and
obedience to laws she has no knowledge OF,
by a novitiate.
All this the Bishop described at length
and in very appropriate language, aud then
proceeded to detail the method OF conduct
ing and governing convent. He likened
it " a republic, wherein the sisters had
those rights we hold SO dear, universal suf.
frage and The vote by ballot. The power
and duties of the Mother Superior were
explained and the method of election was
described in an interesting way. 1t is done
by ballot. The time OF the superior is lin.
tied to three years, and after two successive
terms she is Ineligible to another, as an in
terregnum must come. They do not
believe in third term. Some days before
the election, an eCClesiastic is sent by the
Bishop TO the convent, to assume control.
Tie superior takes her place in the ranks
and usually the last place, so that no intiu-
ence of position Will be felt in the election
to take place. On the day of the choice,
the Bishop takes charge and conducts the
baloting. The members of the communi-
ty each vote for the sister whom they con-
scientiously believe is best suited to gov
ern them and the ballots are duly cast.
Each sister has list of those eligible, as
certain residence in the community Is
sometimes made necessary By the rules.
When the ballots are all deposited, they
are counted on separate tally sheets and If
majority has been cast for one person,
she is the superior. II there be no major
ity, a second ballot is taken, aud the
.owest dropped. In this way the choice
fnally::narrows down to two. In case OF O
tie, the election is decided by lot, and the
one so chosen must serve, as it is matter
of solemn duty. She is given the proper
vows and enters upon the discharge OF her
duties.
In this manner, though at greater length,
and combining interest with instruction,
the Bishop conducted his lecture. 1t con.
tinued for about an hour and was heard
with marked attention throughout. As he
concluded, he said there were other features
of this subject he desired to touch upon,
and would continue it next Sunday, at the
same hour.