ALMOST A PRIEST. A TALE THAT DEALS IN FACTS.
BYMRS. JULIA MCNAIR WRIGHT,
AUTHOR OF "PRIEST AND NUN," "ALMOST A NUN," "JOHN AND THE DEMIJOHN," ETC. ETC. "Since Christ's fair truth needs no man's art, Take this rude tale in better part." "Let the world murmur; let its cry Of horror and disgust be heard Truth stands alone."PHILADELPHIA: McKINNEY & MARTIN, 1308 CHESTNUT STREET, SUCCESSORS TO CRITTENDEN & MCKINNEY.
1870.Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by MCKINNEY & MARTIN, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. WESTCOTT & THOMSON, Stereotypers, Philada.
CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I. GABRIELLE STREET. 7
- CHAPTER II. SISTERS' SCHOOLS VERSUS COMMON SCHOOLS. 32
- CHAPTER III. HOUSES OF CHARITY. 59
- CHAPTER IV. FATHER ARNHOLM ON WAYS AND MEANS. 87
- CHAPTER V. FUTURE OF THE BOY. 116
- CHAPTER VI. FESTIVAL OF THE ASS. 143
- CHAPTER VII. DOMINICK AND ANSEL. 175
- CHAPTER VIII. A VOCATION. 200
- page: 4 (Table of Contents) -5[View Page 4 (Table of Contents) -5]
- CHAPTER IX. NUN AND POSTULANT. 225
- CHAPTER X. PRIEST AND ACOLYTE. 256
- CHAPTER XI. THE DAUGHTER OF A HUGUENOT. 282
- CHAPTER XII. DUNGEON DISCIPLINE. 311
- CHAPTER XIII. THE DEPTHS OF ROME. 342
- CHAPTER XIV. COMING OUT OF BABYLON. 370
- CHAPTER XV. WHEN PHILIP IS TWENTY-ONE. 402
PREFACE.
IN writing of Romanism one need not deal in fiction. There is actual fact ever ready at hand. Our chief difficulty has been, not to obtain material, but among a vast mass of truth, to decide which may be put within the narrow limits of our story, and which must stand aside for future opportunity. Among so many vulnerable points, which shall be attacked? Among so many dangers, of which shall the public be warned?
Our Priests, Ansel, Arnholm, Dominick and the Northville incumbent, are drawn from real life. The extension and building of convents; the unhappy course of Viola; the wild flight of Maria Felix, are matters of actual occurrence. It is needful that we bestir ourselves against this giant evil of Romanism.
There is in this Church a mighty hostility to Americans and American institutions. We must warn and take warning. We have been reproached for writing of "Priests and Nuns who are no better than they should be." My friends, if the Priests and the Nuns were as good, as those who profess piety should be, there were no need to write about them; for then they would not be sapping all the foundations of a pure and strong political, family and individual life.
THE AUTHOR.
NOTE BY THE PUBLISHERS.
THE great favor with which "Priest and Nun" has been received by the public (fifteen thousand copies already having been sold) leads us to believe that this book will receive a hearty welcome throughout the land. Like "PRIEST AND NUN," it contains nothing impure, but exposes more fully the workings of the ROMISH CONVENT SYSTEM, and we send it out believing that it will be productive of much good.
