The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-05-14
LIFE IN A CONVENT.
Experiences Of q Former Nun
and an Ex-Priest.
REASONS FOR CHANGE OF FAITH
strics Discipline and AertiAeatiea q
the Flssh-Obiecsien - CAsreh
Doctrine.

M ma MFA Joseph Si1kt0Tys tue OHo
m ex-priest and the other an ex-nun,
lectured yesterday afternoon and evening
at Ranke's hall. Mr.. Slattery's talk being
on why Left the Roman Catholic
Priesthood" and his wife IN tho evening
on Her rescue from the convent by her
cousin, Lady Morton, Of England" The
lectures were originally advertised to come
oil in the Armory hall. but owing to its oc-
cupation BY United States troops Ranke's
hall was secured too late to make public
the change. 20 that though both lectures
were well attended many were kept away
through ignorance OF the change. Mr..
and Mrs Ssattery are both pleasing speak
ers, be being tall. with . smooth-shaven
face. possessing oil the characteristics Of :
priest. while she il also tall and dressed in
becoming black. Both denote their Celtic
origin in their accent and natural mother
wit, for which the Irish are famous.
Mr.. Siattery IN the afternoon gave IN
account Of his early years. covering his
preparation for the priesthood in the semi
nary Of Limerick. Ireland, and continuing
has studies in philosophy and theology In
the college Of Thurles, county Tipperary,
whore he was ordained priest by DR..
Croks. archbishop Of Cashel. May "a. 1850.
He spent eight years officiating ~ priest
in the diocese Of Dublin. His principal
reason for leaving the church was on &C.
count of the doctrine of intention a. pro-
muigated by the council of Trent. The
decree runs Is follows: IF any one says
that in ministers whilst they make and
confer the sacraments there 10 not re-
quired the intention of doing
ct least what the church does.
let HIM b accursed." The practical
meaning of which. the speaker explained.
was that no priest on account Of this de-
cree could be certain whether he was .
priest or not. No Roman Catholic could
b certain on account Of this wlhether he
wss properly bapUxed. This lett the
Romanist in doubt about the sacraments
and his means of salvation. Salvation.
Mr.. Slsttery said. depends on Christ and
not on any man, even though he be .
priest. Mr.. Slattery gave . number Of in
cidents connected with the lives Of the
priesthood and introduced considerable
humor. He came to America in june, 1883,
having forsaksn the priesthood in the old
country and connected himself with the
Baptist church. of which he is now regu-
larly ordained minister.
Mrs. Slattery in the evening gave .
narrative sketch of her life in St Joseph's
convent. Abbey Of Poor Ciares, county
Cavan, Ireland. from her admittance a. .
novice to her leaving it through the a.
sistance of her cousin. incidentally she
spoke of the evils Of drink prevalent
among the Irish priesthood. which had
become notorious and was known to every
nun in every convent. When admitted as
. novice she was kindly asked what kind
Of work she would prefer. This was al
ways asked in order TO force on novices
all kind of work they abhorrcd. This was
called humiliating the flesh. Tho abso-
lutte autocracy Of the superioress was illus
trated by an incident in which the sue
perioress being out Of humor found fault
with her. The rule Of the convent il that
subordinates must bow their heads and
never retort, no matter how much they
may be wronged. She was ignorant OF
rules. and the supsriorcss In anger struck
her in the face twice in succession. She
left the room. intending to leave the con-
vent. but better counsel prevailed, and to
humiliate her still more she had to go to
the superioress the next day and beg her
pardon, which was only granted after she
got down and kissed her feet Why abe
should beg her pardon when she had
clearly done no wrong abe WAS not allowed
to question. 1t was the law Of the con-
vent. aud that was enough. The exar Of
Russia. the speaker said. was not more
cruel aud arbitrary than were the women
at the head Of a convent The result is
daily life OF deceit and hypocrisy. for the
women became spies on one another. If
In - ind .S
spirit or independence. il il systematic
ally crushed out Of her.
The form OF meeting and addressing the
superio-ess was as abjcct ~ II was humili-
ating. When sent for. one had to knock
first. enter. and on crossing the threshold
kneei and kiss the door, rise, walk humbiy
to the superioress, kneel again before her
and again kiss the door At her feet and re-
main on the knees all through the inter-
view until told to arise and walk out
Mrs. Slsttery took the veil June 70. 1883,
and gave description OF the ceremony
preceding, during and after. The in
QUESTION on the part of the bishop before
the ceremony she declared - abominzhie.
while kneeling at his feet and all alone
with him being subjected to questions as
To the purity of her life that the toughest
man in Seattle would hesitate To put TO
respectable girl. One of the horrors
of taking the welt was being laid alive
IN a coffin and left in il covered up for tlf-
teen minutes The white veil. its removal.
the putting on of the garb Of the order and
the Latin curse pronounced BY the bishop
against any one who assists nun TO es-
cape we're graphically outlined. The daily
convent life was given from the rising tell
81 $50 60 Q al night Tho terrible
weekly chapters" at which the nuns
have TO confess before all the Sins
OF omission and commission, and stand
open accusation from other sisters without
the permission 70 reply; tho period
scal seif-dagellasion and the decaptlons
connected With il; erueities 10 refractory
nuns by hoggings administered By women,
how al these engcndered feeling Of hor-
ror IN her mind and lett her no peace 81
mind until she Jeff. made up large part
of the lecture. she also spoke Of the
espionage carried on over the mail matter
Of al The inmates, who we're never allowed
- send or receiye letters without frss sab
hitting the same 10 the scrutiny Of the
saperioress. which VAS practically yiola-
tson Of tho postal Laws of the United
States.
Mrs. Slassery viii talk 10 ladies only at
, o'clock this afsernoon and Nj. S.asssry
10 men this evening.
Before purchasing yoar spring suit 80
Riley BroA. merchant taitor. suits rs
and m