The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1914-09-03

v1ctlOns; they wouldn't think of do
ing such thing. The girl came,
she had never been in a Catholic
church and knew absolutely nothing
of what it stood for. Scarcely one
year had rolled around until she had
embraced the Catholic faith and her
mother and father couldn't change
her. She insisted on coming back
and by the end of the second year
she had decided to take the veil.
She was going to become a nun. She
took the white veil but her health
failed before she could take the
black one. She recovered partially
her health and endeavored again to
take the black veil, but was not
strong enough. Today her dream is
of the day when she can adorn the
veil. When her mother, one of the
most devoted Christian women that
ever lived lay dying, this girl ex-
tracted an assent by a nod of the
head that she wanted to die in the
Catholic faith and although at the
time she was delirious this girl
sought in the absence of the priest
to administer the last sacrament.
This girl was relatives of mine
and [ am acquainted with the en-
tire history of the case
1t is folly to imagine that these
converts are not going to try to
make Catholics out of the girls who
attend them. And they are no re-
spector of persons. They would like
mighty we'll to get a chance at your
girl. | appeal to you, mothers and
fathers, don't sell your daughters to
Catholicism for the little mess of
pottage they have to offer, and in
fiuence your neighbors to keep their
children away from this arch enemy
of our Protestant homes
[ will say nothing of the convent
horrors, though much could be said
of them, not only abroad but here
in America. In many places and
through all ages their history would
have to be written in blood and
tears God pity the thousands of
poor girls who are shut up tonight in
these ecclesiastical prisons, away
from the world, unable to escape,
tortured and abused. I could give
names, places and facts, some very
recent, in connection with these con-
vents which would chill the blood
for horror. If the Catholics want the
evidence it can be produced. When
will our Government demand that
these clustered institutions be
opened up to honest investigation?
Why does Rome insist that they be
so secluded, protected with an al
most insurmountable wall, closed
windows and, often, guarded doors?
If they are good things, would it
not add to the glory of Romanism
to turn her institutions into the
spotlight of Investigation?
If many Of these converts are
mere ecclesiastical prisons, as thous-
ands believe and claim them to be,
as numberless of girls who have es-
capped say they are, and as indisputa-
BILE proof show many to be- has not
the time arrived for Uncle Sam to
speak out in tones of thunder and
demand that these institutions oper-
ate in the light and let the world
know just who is in them and how
they are conducted? AS it is, no
one but the Lord, the inmates and
the devil know what transpires in
these converts. Read the exposure
of Maria Monk, Margaret Shepherd
and any number of others who have
been caught in their grind.
Friends, Roman Catholicism is a
foreign institution. 1t is un-Ameri~
can; it is un-Christian. Darkness
and disaster follow in it's trail.
We should have nothing but love
in our hearts for the individuals who