Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-12
RICHES NOT GIVEN
 TO ORDER OF NUNS.
Mrs. G. H. Lannnan Says Statements Have Done Her and the Church ln justice.
New York. May 1.

New York, May IL In a letter to the New York World on Sunday, Mrs. Gertrude H. Lanman, formerly of Norwich writes to contra diet certain sensational reports that l have lately appeared about her in New York papers. She writes as follows:
 Asks for Justice.
 To the Editor Of the World:
 Sir: I am troubled by the sensational and largely untrue articles about me which are being printed in certain newspapers, and l feel that the time has come when for the honor of the church l so much love. for the sake of the Saintly Order of Marie Reparatrfce and for my own sake I must publicly deny these untrue and sensational stories, and l am sure that the World, which is ever on the side of justice, will print my letter in its columns.
 These stories should have ,been de- nied when they first appeared, 8 year ago, but l was ill at the time and away from New York, and l did not think that anyone would attach much iulpoT- tance to these fairy tales so palpably untrue to those who knew me well. Now certain newspapers are reprinting and enIarging on these stories, and | must, with your assistance, publicly deny them.
 These newspapers say that l have given a million dollars to the church and to the Order of Marie Reparatrice. This is absolutely untrue. I never pos SeSSed one-tenth of @ million dollars, and have never given anything what ever to the Catholic church, in any way, nor to the Order of Marie Repar- atrice All that I gave away was given in the New England town where l was born, and to unsectarian objects.
 It is true that I started in this town club for working girls This club prospered exceedingly and my whole heart was in it. When l met with financial losses I sold my home and went to live at this club. Later sold my personal belongings for its benefit and begged for help to continue the club and keep my girls together 1 OVerestimated my physical strength, and In 1911, when l came to New York for Christmas, l was not strong enough to go back to my work, and had to leave my poor children to get on as best they could without my help. I am very proud of these girls. By their own efforts they have kept up their club and paid 15 per cent. of it's indebtedness. l wish I had q thousand dollars to give them
 The newspapers say I became a Catholic when abroad. This is not true. In the years 1 lived in Europe 1 went into Catholic churches only as Q sightseers I became a Catholic in America, three years ago, and | think my conversion was the result of 8 slow
 
 childhood I was much interested in spiritual things. though I was about as normally naughty a child as ever lived. l took the gospels literally and as ] grew older I felt there was some great mystery in the Lords sup per which people about me did not seem to realize. I was never a Presby- terian. My dear parents went to the Congregational church. and as a very young girl I united with that church ,f a-t f,-i upright and pure souls, are Congrega- tionalists
 At times in my life I would forget about spiritual things. and then the old thoughts and questions would crop up With new force. I went into the Episcopal church. but T was never sat 1s1led, never ar peace. until four wears ago, when the Divine Presence iu Holy communion. Tn the Roman Catholic church. Was revealed to me, not ny any human being but, I am sure by the grace Of God
 Vowed to Become Nun.
 pE chance became aedua4nted with hr Order Of Marie Reparatrice soon atIlef they came to America and 1 gTeW Lo love these holy nuns, and when 1 was received into the church I made In nay heart q VOW to give up the world at enee-and some day, if possible to be Reparatriee,
 The mother general of the ordsr consented te my making a, trial of the el6istefed life, when l should be free of otnsa work and my health stro7g enough to permit it. and in May 1Sig 1 lived for several weeks in f4a in closure, l gave satisfaction in every Nay, biit was t6t str6hg enough, and 1 ordered Hte IS go st en.se ihte tfe country, if I wished to live. All fest summer was spent in trying Ie get stronger. l wag part ef the l til7e with relatives and then for nearly three months with the kind sisters of mercy at beautiful St, Mery's, among i the feethills ef the White mountains. ] Never shall l ferset the kindness Of ! these dear sisters!
 By fall l was muck setter and l came back te tRe eeBvent, net inte the ! inciesufe-I was net strens enough for l