The age-herald., 1899-05-28

who have come in contact with the en- terprise.
 The head house of the Sisters of Charity in the United States is at Emmittsburg, Md, and the governing board there, with the superior. the Rev. Father Leonard, lost no time in providing the money and making plans for the massive building, the corner stone of which is about to be laid with due ceremony. Father Leonard is being ably assisted in the work of supervision by Father OReilly, the indefatigable pastor of St. Paul's church, and chairman of the executive committee.
 A few weeks ago an Age-Herald reporter was driving with Father OReilly to the Highlands to look at the new hospital. when a prominent physician hailed the kind priest and asked if the Sisters of Charity would take charge of a patient of his who had just had his leg amputated The patient was negro boy
 'Yes, they will take charge of him. That is what they are here for Just telephone to them about the boys condition and they will have you bring him to their hospital" In a very short while the sufferer was being attended by the Sisters and he is still in the hospital.
 Of all the Catholic sisterhoods none is so historic perhaps as the Sisters of Charity The congregation, after many tentative ef- forts, was permanently organized in France by St. Vincnet de Paul in 1884 and confirmed by the Pope for the work of nursing the sick in hospitals, and was placed under the care of Madam Legras. The constitution of the congregation has never varied. The Sisters take simple vows which are re- newed annually. At the end of the twelve months each member is free to give up her celibate state and return to the world. But as matter of fact no one ever with draws. Postulants are admitted to the habit of the sisterhood at the end of six months. The white hood with it's stream ing 'cornettes,' which these sisters wear is known in every country, and in every part Of the world a Sister of Charity is welcomed as heaven sent soul.
 The sisterhood founded by St. Vincent was the only religious order or congrega- tion that weathered the storm of the French Revolution. The leaders of the revolution made an attempt to suppress their houses in France but the work of the congregation continued. Napoleon, in 1891, gave the institution his support and before the general restoration of religion issued a decree for the thorough Postulants of the order
 The spirit of St. Vincents rule is ob- served in the memorable words which he addressed to his spiritual daughters, Your convent must be the house of the sick; your cell the chamber of suffering; your chapel the parish church; your cloister
 
 hospital your rule, the general VOW of obedience; your grille, the fear of God; your veil to shut out the world, holy mod esty"
 The mother house of the Sisters of Charity is near Paris. There are between seven and eight thousand members scat tered throughout the civilized world; and the hospitals in charge of the Sisters num- Der something like seven hundred, between forty and forty-five of which are located in the United States. In addition to the hos pital work the Sisters of Charity conduct orphanages insane asylums and select boarding schools.
 The temporary hospital quarters in this city accommodates about twenty persons. The building which is now going up will accommodate between 125 and 150 patients. It will be fitted up with every modern ap- pliance and will be open for pay patients as well as charity patients. This building will cost over $100,0O0. When other build ings are added, in accordance with the ar chitect's designs, the whole pile will cost over $3OO,O00
 The hospital work in Birmingham is in charge of Sister Chrysostom.