Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-12-18

Nature in this loved State OF Mary
land is prodigal OF beauty and be-
slows every charm with lavish
hand. All through the seasons,
whether in the laughing loveliness
of Spring. the capricious sweetness
OF Summer days, the melancholy
Fall, or the cold glory oi the Winter
nights, there is something ineffably
dear.
From the eyentful year 1884, down
through succeeding decades, we be-
hold the same mysterious loveliness,
but the awakening of lifein the shad-
ows of the untrodden wilderness.
Each county has its own particu-
lar year, around which cluster in
spring associations or sad MEM
ories. st. Mary's too. has had her
lights and shadows. her periods Of
warfare and peace, but standing out
bold relief amongst them all, form
ing strange, translucent aureola
in the darknessof the troubled times,
IS the year 1885. when q little group
of sanity Sisters of
Charity journeyed from the ''Blue
Grass" State to the vine-clad hills
OF Maryland 10 undertake the edu-
cation of the little ones namely TO
broaden and illuminate the horizon
OF life, to teach the true principles
that not only would the future gem
erations be staunch cAs.stians, but
leaders in society serving as bea-
cons to direct others in the right
path.
The small company consisting Of
Mother Helena and four Sisters
found the noble undertaking a dis
couraging one and beset with many
difficulties, yet theirs was the work
destined to produce such fich re-
ward as mere difficulty never him
ders the progress of the truly zeal
GUS.
Mrs. Miles, whose name will ever
be remembered with gratitude by
the patrons OF the institution, gave
the Sisters q tract of land and q
small building just within the linn
its OF dear old Leonardtown. With
these and under the guidanceo of their
friend and pastor, Rev. Father Jen-
kins, they began their labors, push
ed bravely ahead. The very diff
culties under which the work of
education started seemed TO be taken
as an earnest Of its future glory and
to spur him on 10 greater deeds in
behalf of the little school, styled
Academy" One boarder and fe W
day scholars constituted the nucleus
OF this educational institution, prov
ingit is not so much the first achieve
ment, as the slow but certain step
by-step process that at last crowns
the work and wreathes the victor
with laurel.
The good people of st. Mary's
showed by their substantial sympa-
thy how much they appreciated the
efforts of the Jesuits and Sisters.
They were grateful for the priyi-
lege afforded their children, hence
success followed.
The number OF pupils increased
rapidly urging the Superioress TO
erect q new an addition to be used
as class-rooms and sleeping apart
ments. The fame Of the humble
Academy continued to spread, pu-
pills came from Washington, Balti-
more and the surrounding counties.
mo roomi'' again resounded
through the building. Kind friends
pleaded, urged and donated, each
his mite, till at last the unselfish
and untiring guardian Of the Acad-
emy ventured once more to remove
obstacles by facing greater ones, in
unravelling the tangled web neces-
sarily frightened. in an undertaking
where the expenses are great and
the resources small.
But the results OF the labors, 70
be seen in the substantial building,
must bs an omen Of the good that
may yet be accomplished for other
generations. Mere description can
not do justice to the taste and judg-
ment that have been Displayed in
constructing and fitting np this new
building. What impresses one moss