The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-04
LIFE OF "BROTHERS OF TOLL
HOME or THE MONKS NEAR
MONTE EAR.
The Trappist Monastery Notre Dame
Du Lac.


Du Lac.
This monastery and its adjoining
farm are situated on the southern eX
posture of the long, easy hill-slopes o
the 1.-TWO Mountains" which flank tn
| north shore of the lake bearing IN
same name-a wide expansion OF IN
ottawa river at the head of the lslan'
of Montreal. In spite of it's proXlmlt.
to the busy industrial and commercial
center, few of the En9lish-speaklns
inhabitants of Montreal know this insti
tuition otherwise than as name. Thef'
is nothing remarkable in this fact. be
tween the two sides of the lake the
contrast is indeed sharp. On one shore
lie trim cottages and villas, the gar
dens, the shaven lawns, and the soll
grounds of a prosperous and luxurious
bourgeosie; across the lake, not 10 miles
away, stand the white chapels OF the
shrine on the hilltop, and the sombei
pile of buildings where the brothers OF
toil'' work out, as they trust, their own
salvation through labor and prayer
The world forgetting, by the world
forgot
Landing at the miserable Indian vii
lage of Okla, the traveller promptly
finds himself packed into rickety omnl-
bus, amid the confusion of passengers
and parcels bound for the same desu-
nation. But as the rafting vehicle pro-
ceeds along the sandy stretches of road,
the first impression is of a steadily inn
provement in the appearance of the
countryside, as well as in the quality of
the roadway itself. A further surprise
awaits us on coming to the ''old monas-
terry" (now a small and struggling
school of agriculture under Trappist
guidance), entirely surrounded with
kitchen gardens, orchards and vine
yards; for one at least of our number
remembers this spot as an almost inn
passable bit Of forest. From the bal
cony of the simple wooden chapel under
the ayes, the eye now locks down on
the avenue of naples, rich with the
promise of splendid maturity, on acres
or garden beds and fruit trees, and
thence travels over the brown waters
of the lake, fiecked here and there with
the purple Of passing cloud shadows,
away to the southern horizon bounded
by the outlying ranges of the Adlron-
dacks
Beyond this point, at bend and dip
in the road, still stands the small habi-
tant house in which the fathers settled
during the first few seasons of their
struggle against the difficulties Of eli
mate and soil. Immediately opposite,
in noble contrast the new monastery
stretches its huge three-story
facade of rough stone, symbolical, in its
stability and proportions, of the char
lcter which its founders seek to impress
upon the work of their order. Alighting
travellers are received by the "Pere
Porter and the "Pere Hotelier," the
formers duty being to escort the visit
)rs over such parts of the establishment
Is are generally shown, while the lat
er, who has charge of the hostelry
orming a necessary adjunct of every
Trappist monastery, provides for the
odging of the wayfarers requesting
hospitality for a night or more This
,eing our case, we were soon assigned
most comfortable rooms not cells-the
walls of which were hung with religious
md also provided with a copy of the
ules of the house, to which is most
begged to conform. Guests
re thus notified, in the first place, that
he 'IIotellierie de Notre Dame du Lac"
; neither a sanitarum, an hotel, nor
place of recreation" but Is intended
S a retreat for such as wish in silence
nd solitude to strive after amendment |
f life and conduct. To this end, each |
our of the day has its set occupation |
t prayer or mediation, from early |
1orning service till 8 in the evening, |
hen all lights must be extinsuished
These rules as well as Others were
relaxed for us. For the
lonks, discipline is naturally severe,
ven beyond the rule of silence. Rising
in the morning. they at once pro-
aed to the chapel, where services are
ED without interruption till high mass
t q the rest of the day is taken up
it'll the most arduous labor in the field,
18th meditation and worship, till the
our of the Salut, after which all re-
re- Equal strictness presdes over
'gimen which excludes meat, fish, but
r, and eggs (save in cases of Illness,
I'd also of travel in the interests Of the
'der); and for drink, milk and fair
alter" Cider, made by the monks.
kes the place of wine, allowed in most
the houses of Europe. Visitors come
lder a more generous commissariat
gulation and even on the two jCurs
aigres of our stay we could not plume
lrselves on having bravely submitted
cenohitic fare.
After an ample midday dim +, eaten,
cording to request, in silence, comes
e visit, under the guidance of the
ire PORTER, to the chapel, cloisters, re-
ectory, cells, and all the outlying
Iildings which serve in the exercise of
G various industries of La Trappe.
le severest simplicity reigns through
t. In the long, low refractory, for
stance, plain, solid deal table runs
ound three sides, already prepared for
e next meal, which apparently will
INSIST mainly Of generous portion of
own bread and a handful of onions; :
e dishes and utensils, scrupulously
pit, are equally simple for ALL those of ,
e abbott himself differing in no way
I'm the rest As for the chapel and :
listers within their heavy stone walls,
h and plaster, unadorned save for a ,
v primitive arabesques or notices