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A HOUSE OF MERCY. 15
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
. At A Few This High Days Institution Ga...
Sisters . I had some conversation with two of these ladies—Sister A . and Sister B . I will call them . Sister A . might be about thirty ;
the other was considerably older . Their countenances had that calmness so peculiarly belonging to their Sisterhood , and which so
harmoniously blends with the sentiment of their caps of soft pure muslintheir black dresses , and the string of black beads and cross
hanging , round their necks . Both spoke with touching devotion of their missionand of the deep interest they felt in the progress
, towards reformation in their charges , and of the heavenly peacefulness of their own lives . Sister B ., the elder one , said , " I am
advanced in life , and have seen much of the world ; but never did I experience such true heart-felt joy , such peace and happiness , as
I have felt within these walls . To feel that a power is given one of leading these poor stray sinners to our dear Lord ; to know one ' s
duty , and to be able cheerfully daily to perform it—and such a holy duty too ! how great is our privilege ! I only wish that we
could persuade more ladies to join us in our labours . They do not know how much their aid is wanted ; how holy is the life , or -what
an internal joy would animate their souls . And many ladies need sacrifice no really sacred worldly tie by joining us , for we can
return to the world whenever we cease to feel that our duty is here . At any time of sickness or sorrow in our own families we can return
to our homes , for we are bound by no vow . " I asked , did they not suffer physically from so much exertion ,
especially under circumstances such as theirs at present , where the small number of Sisters precluded all possibility of relaxation ?
But both Sister A . and Sister B . replied that certainly their bodies felt wearied by the time night arrivedand that it would be a great
comfort occasionally to feel that half an , hour could be called their own ; but that their health was very good , better than before they
had entered upon their vocation . And truly their countenances spoke of health and peace .
Sister A . conducted us over the dormitories . Each Sister has charge of her particular set or class of girls , and each class sleeps in
a separate dormitory , receives instruction in a separate class-room , and takes exercise together in the grounds under the Sister ' s
superintendence . At the various services in the chapel , and at mealtimes in the dining-roomthey all meet . Sister A . ' s bed-room and
, class-room were a specimen of the others—a bright , cheerful little chamber , containing a French bed with white dimity hangings , a
couple of chairs , a dressing-table and looking-glass , with a few small printsand hotographs from sacred pictures of the French
, p and German schools , together with a small cross on the wall . Some sentences from the Scriptures were illuminated , and fastened as
loving monitors on the wall opposite the bed , and above the little fireplace . Here too I observed sentences from the Gospels formed
of dried box or ilex leaves sown upon paper with considerable
A House Of Mercy. 15
A HOUSE OF MERCY . 15
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), March 1, 1858, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01031858/page/15/
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