Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-04-23
rLsDoNIsM, ARTICLE 1Il.

In hls discourse last Sunday Rev MT Elsdon saw fit to refer to Hawthorne, [ will refer to him also. I extract his pen picture of his heroine, Hilda, . Protestant visiting ''the worlds Cathe- dral' and unburdening her soul of a heavy load at the feet of priest in the The abominations that visible to the naked eye in this picture, Hawthorne says, Chapter W of the Marble Faun:"
 "She had now come into the southern l trancept. Around this portion of the church are ranged a number of confes- | sionals. They are small tabernacles of carved wood, with a closet for the priest | in the center, and on either side space for a penitant to kneel, and breathe his | confession through perforated auricle | into the good fathers ear. Observing | this arrangement, though already fam iliar to her, our poor Hilda was anew impressed with the infinite convenience if we may use so poor a phrase-of the Catholics religionlito its devout be- lievers. Who, in truth, that considers the matter, can resist a similar impress sion! In the hottest fever-fit of life, they can always find, ready for their need, cool, quiet, beautiful place to worship. They may enter it's sacred precincts at any hour, leaving the fret and trouble of the world behind them, and purifying themselves with touch of holy water at the threshold. In the calm interior, fragrant of rich and soothing incense, they may hold converse with some saint, their awful kindly friend. And most precious privilege of all, whatever per plexity, sorrow, guilt, may weigh their souls, they can fling down the dark bur den at the foot of the cross, and go forth-tO sin no more, nor be any longer disquieted; but to live again in the fresh- ness and elasticity of innocence. Do not these inestimable advantages, thought Hilda, or some of them at least, belong to christianity itself? Are they not part of the blessings which the system was meant to bestow upon man. kind? Can the faith in which 1 was born be perfect, if it leaves a weak girl like me to wander, desolate, with this great trouble crushing me down? A poignant anguish thrilled within her hreast; it was like thing that had life, and was struggling to get out.
 "Oh, help! Oh help!" cried Hilda, "1 cannot bear it!'' Only by the rev erbera- tions that followed-arch echoing the sound to arch, and a pope of bronze re- beating it to pope of marble, ,as each sat enthroned over his tomb-did Hilda become aware that she had really spoken above her breath.
 l But, in that great space, there IS no need to hush up the heart within ones own bosom, so carefully as elsewhere; and, if | the cry reaches any distant auditor, 1t came broken into many fragments, and from various quarters of the church. l Approaching one of the confessionals, she saw a woman kneeling within. Just as Hilda drew near, the penltent rose, came forth and kissed the hand of the priest. who regarded her with look of parternal benignity, and appeared to be giving her some spiritual counsel, in a low voice she then knelt to receive his blessing, which was fervently bestowed. Hilda was SO struck with the peace and
 ioy in the womans face that, as the latter retired, she could not help speak irg to her. ..
 "You look very happy!' Said she" Is it so sweet then, to go to the confes- sional?"
 "Oh, very sweet, my dear signorina, 3 answered the woman, with moistene ed eyes and an affectionate smile, for she
 was 50 thoroughly softened with what she had been doing, that she felt as if
 Hilda were her younger sister. My
 heart is at rest now, thanks be to the Saviour, and the Blessed Virgin and the saints, and this good father, there is no
 more trouble for poor Teresa"
 II am glad for your sake" said Hilda,
 
 tic, but a human sister, and rejoice for l,you.' She went from one to another of the COT fessionals, and looking at each
 perceived that they were inscribed with
 gilt letters, on one ''Pro Italica Lingua,"
 on another, 'Pro Flandrica Lingua," on
 a third Pro Polonica Lingua," on a
 fourth "Pro Illyrica Lin gua," on a fifth
 ''Pro Hispanica Lingua." In this vast
 and hospitable cathedral worthy to be l f tboy nf 10 x,h
 there was room for all nations. There
 was acce ss to the divine grace for every christian soul there was an ear for
 what the overburdened heart might have to murmur, speak in what native tongue it might.
 When HiIda had almost completed
 the circuit of the trancept, she came to confessional-the central part was closed, but 2 mystic rod pro-
 of priest within-on which was in
 scribed, "Pro Anglica Lingua." It was
 the word in season. If she had heard } her mothers voice from within {
 tabernacle, calling her in her o> ! , mother tongue, to come and lay her DO head in her lap, and sob out all hel 3 troubles, Hilda could not have responded
 with more inevitable obe dience. She f did not think ; she only felt. Within hel heart was a great need, close at hand
 within the veil of the confessional, was the relief. She flung herself down in tho penitents place, and, tremulously, pas
 sionately, with sobs, tears, and the tur
 bulent overflow of emotion too long re pressed, she poured out the dark story , which had infused it's poison into hel , innocent life.
 Hilda had not seen, nor could she now see, the visage of the priest. But, at in 2 tervals, in the pauses of that strange confession, half choked by the struggl, :, of her feelings toward an outlet, sh' heard mild voice somewhat mellowet
 by age. It spoke soothingly it encour 3 aged her; it led her on by opposite ques :, cions that seemed to be suggested by , ! great and tender interest, and acted lik' magnetism in attracting the girls con <. fidence to this unseen friend.
 The priests share in this interview j. indeed, resembled that of one who re l ho etonoa cl1starAd bropcboo 0