The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-10

 every class room hangs representa- ton, of the suffering Savior upon the cross.
 But after all, the most vivid recol- lection that the visitor carries away is the mental impression of the com merciai department. for they teach bookkeeping. typewriting. stenogra- phy and kindred things at St. Ber- nard's. He remembers the figure of the young monk in his severely plain black robe dictating to the class in youths industriously peckingS away at half a dozen Remington typewriters.
 The Benedictine Fathers have been teaching the young for over fifteen centuries The order was founded as far back as 432 A. D. Its founder was St. Benedict, one of the holy men whose life made it's impress felt in d way through the succeeding ages. The first monastery was established at subioco. Italy, parts of the build ing still remain. The order from it's establishment devoted itself to the ed ucation of the young. It is governed by what is known as the Rules of St. Benedict. the Patriarch of the Western Monks. This name is used to distin- guish them from the monks of the eastern church.
 Pnrochial Work.
 While the Benedictine fathers mainly devote themselves to educa- tional work. they also do parochial work. frequently in communities that are unable to pay or support q priest. The abbot Is in every way superior to the members of the community. The general welfare of the order in America is looked after by the Amer ican Cassineee Congregation. This is composed of the abbots of all the mon- asteries in America. This congrega- ton meets every three years and 1t se- lects abbots to fill vacancies which may occur by death. The congrega- tion also at each meeting selects two visitors who go to ali the abbeyR. These visitors closely catechise the members of the community as to the discipline, the religious observance and instruction and the spiritual con- ditfon of the community. They make 1 report of anything that should be cor rected to the abbot.
 The first abbey of the Benedictine order was established In 1sl0 at St. ]vincent's. The founder Of the order in America was Bernard weimer. There are now nine abbeys in America in addition to St. Bernard's and several priories. A priory Is governed by q prior and Is of a lower rank than an abbey.
 I The routine of the Benedictine fa- I thers is to one, accustomed to the outside world most exacting. They I rise at o'clock a. m. says their of- Efces and engage in spiritual medita- ton. At 6:16 a. m. they attend con. vent mass, following which they have breakfast. Then they teach until Il 80 Then comes a time spent in the par. ticular examination of the conscience l Dinner is at o'clock D m. after which they resume the hearing of re- citation until 6 o'clock at which houy other offiees are said. to which an hour is given. At o'clock p. m. supper is served. An hour for recreation is giy. en between 6:30 ?. m. and 7:30 D. m From 7:S0 until g the hour for retiring there is absolute silence throughout the house.
 Routine of student Life.
 The hours for students are not so exacting. They have more time for sleeping. moro time for recreation and they have four meals a day Daily religious observances, however. are insisted upon and all students are re- quired to pursue course of religious study.
 It is an interesting story of how St. Bernard's College came to be founded in Alabama. Monsignor John B. Baasen was the indirect cause. The late Bishop ouinlan, of the Dio- cese of Mobile, was one day discuss- ing with him the necessity of having a priest to serve the Catholics in some of the smaller towns of North Albama. and the difIiculty in the way of sending a priest because the Cath olics at that time were not suflcientIy numerous to support one
 | MOnsfGnor RaaaAn au1OaafaA ta hts. that together they might be able to se- cure priest of ope of the monastic orders to do the monastic order. They succeeded in having Father Ben- edict Menges of the Order of St. Ben edict assigned to the work.
 Making his headquarters at Hunts vile Father Menges entered energeti- cally upon the duties of his place. He became convinced that his order and his church would be strengthened and benefited if an abbey of Benedictine 1 fathers was established in Alabama. He worked untiringly until the plan had become an established fact. A high elevation a mile and a half east of Cullman was selected because of its convenience and It's healthfuI- ness. The order purchased 800 acres of land and erected in 1892 an impres- sive four storied brick and stone build ing. The structure Is not ornate or highly decorated, but 1t is agreeable to the eye and 1t gives one an idea of l strength and of durability that will | carry 1t through the years to come. The lands of the abbey are under a high state of cultivation. They are thor oughly and intelligentiy cultivated by the members of the community. Fruit trees and vines grow about and the grounds present a wholesome, attrac- tive appearance.
 The abbey farm under the indus | trious systematic farming methods of the community members is unusually productive but its products are not put upon the market. Tn fact the large community with its corps of students consumes more than the farm can | raise.
 The abbey and college building Of St. Bernards is of brick with stone trimmings. It Is a spacious, substan- l tial structure built at a cost of Sl0O,- 900. A stately tower ornaments the | front of the building and about this l entrance the ivy vines are running. | The rear of the building is decorated | with carved doric windows. opening up into the galleries and carridors the ] windows which are so characteristic of 1 monastic architecture. There Is a. beautiful garden in the rear. made up of flowers. vines. shrubs and boxed walks. -,.,..-