Conclusion to Volume I

CONCLUSION

The following is all that is necessary to subjoin to the preceding narrative

When I arrived in New York, I was introduced into the sun-house; but when I had been there for some time, I found out that it was reported that I was a fugitive Nun, and I was given a message that caused me some agitation. I was told that a Mr. Conroy, who was a Roman Priest, was below, and wanted to see me. I did not go to see him, but was told by the woman who brought the message that he had sent word that I need not think that I could avoid him. I should be found and taken, no matter how I concealed myself. He sent me further word that he had received full power and authority over me from the Superior of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery at Montreal. This was alarming information to me.

I was also told that the same authority had been given to all the Priests; so that wherever I went I should find men fully empowered to seize me and convey me back to the Convent. I received other messages from the Priest, and at last sent word back that I would see him in the presence of Mr. T or Mr. S-. This was agreed to, and I heard that Mr. Conroy continued to visit the house and ask for me; but I never saw him.

The period of my accouchement was approaching, and as I sometimes thought that I should not survive it, I decided that it was a solemn duty to disclose the dreadful crimes I had witnessed in the Nunnery. I spoke to Mrs. Ford, a nurse in the hospital, and a woman whose character I respect, and told her that I did not expect to live long, and that I had some things on my mind to communicate before it was too late.
I was then a Roman Catholic, and I thought I might return to the Catholics-although fear and disgust held me back. But now I had to think of my infant, whose life I had saved by my escape from the Nunnery. I had reason for alarm. Would a child be allowed to go through the world unmolested—a living memorial of crimes long practised in secrecy, because they had never been exposed? Could I suppose that Father Phelan, Priest of the Catholic Church of Montreal, would see his own child growing up in the world, and willing to run the risk of having the truth revealed ?

I informed the chaplain that I wished to communicate to him a few secrets which were otherwise likely to die with me. I then told him of some of the crimes I had witnessed while a Nun.

My anticipation of death proved unfounded, and afterwards, I experienced friendly attentions from some of the benevolent people around me, who took an interest in me; furnished me with a Bible, and were every ready to give me advice when I desired it.

I began to believe that God had intended His creatures should learn His will by reading His word, and acting under responsibility to Him.

For one who has never given way to arguments and influences such as those to which I had been exposed, it is very difficult to realise how hard it is to think properly, after thinking wrongly. When I read the Scriptures, I am affected powerfully, for I feel that I am just beginning to learn the great truths in which I should have been much earlier instructed. I cannot understand how it is that people of the United States are rendered by the Scriptures so strongly opposed to the doctrines that are taught at the Black and Congregational Nunneries of Montreal. It was often declared by the Priests and Nuns that the children from the United States were the most difficult to convert, and it was deemed a great triumph when one of them was converted to Catholicism. The first passages from the Scriptures that made any serious impression on my mind was the one from which the Chaplain preached after my introduction to the house
" Search the Scriptures."

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