Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-16

teenth street above Chestnut, Phila-
delphia, on Monday morning. She
enters the order of the Sisters of Mercy
ct present as q postulant and is in no
wise bound to remain. Her fortune re-
mains under hor own control. She will,
according 10 the rules of the order, stay
as postulate for six months, when, II
she shall not have changed her mind, she
will receive the white veil and will have
another and longer period OF probation
before she takes her final VOWS.
The purposes OF the order are the in
struction OF the young and the perform
ances Of other works Of mercy. and Miss
Drexel will find abundant opportunity
for the exercise Of philacthropio feelings
in visiting prisons and misistering to the
wants Of the sick in hospitals and the
needy in almshouses.
1t is said that the FIRST bishop of Pitts
burg, Michael O'Oonnor, elder brother OF
Bishop O'Oonnor, who has charge Of the
Roman Catholic Indian missions, brought
the Order Of the Sisters Of Mercy to this
country and was its firm friend and pro-
tector. From this foundation the order
has extended almost all over the United
States. The war served to spread It a.
its members moved early and resolutely
in establishing hospitals in the wake of
the contending armies. They carried
the flag for all the organized efforts in
charitable attention, although they were
quickly followed by other orders from
other countries such as the Sisters Of
Charity, the Order Of the Holy Gross, the
Sacred Heart and others
PHnADELPHIA, May 9.-It can be an
noupeed ON unquestiopable ecclesiastical
authority that Miss Kate Drexsps en-
trance into a convent OF. the Sisters Of
Mercy in Pittsburg is only temporary
and that she has no intention OF becoming
member Of that ordsr. Her purpose Is
not merely the general one of renouno:ng
the world. Her position at the present
time is simply that OF one who has retired
to mediate upon great and long
cherished project, namely that of the in
stitution of new sisterhood whose field
OF work shall be among the Indians and
negro races. The authority Of the Press
says;
miss Drexels object in taking the step
which has attracted such widespread at
LcAkAbh 10 cAAPAJ ~ btCuNC ItllEbucul
from the world for several months in or
der to know whether what she has had in
her mind for some years past is Gods
will il her regard, and il so, to become
thoroughly acquainted with the interior
life Of q religions community. As almost
everyone knows, Miss Kate Drexel has
been for number of years interested in
the Indian and colored missions. She has
given most freely and most generously of
her large income for the founding Of
schools for the education OF Indian and
colored children. Not satisfied with Civ.
ing her money, she wishes nov to give
herself to this work.
miss Drexel feels thst If a community
of sisters could be established who would
devote themselves exclusively to the
education Of Indian and colored girls o
grand work would be accomplished for
the civilization and moral and religious
improvement Of these peoples. She is
also satisfied that it can only be done by
sisters who would vow themselves sxclu-
sively to this work. In retifemaRt,
therefore, and alone with God shs wishss
to ind out whether He will make known
to her that such Is His will.
Miss Drexel has already devoted much
Of her personal attention TO this work to
! which she now seeks to devote her entire
time and fortuna. With her Nv s.s.s
\ Ahe has already made two visits TO the
| lndisn tribes u the e snd northwest
She knows their condition thoroughly
and, therefore realizes the necessity Of
the work she wishes now to undertake.
When she actively enters on the new
undertaking she will probably group
around her number Of young ladiet
who are similarly impressed with the
possibilities Of the field. Their influence
will be thrown out all through the south
ern states and western states and terri
tories. Schoolhouses and missions will
be built and the cause Of the Catholic
church will be given great impetul
among the races toward which Mis-
Drexers endeavors will be directed.