The school girl in France, or the snares of popery: a warning to Protestants against education in Catholic seminaries

Contents

CHAPTER. PAGE

I. The Letter 9

II. The Farewell Visit •• 13

Preface

In presenting the following narrative to the public, the author is fully conscious that it has many imperfections ; but she is anxious that a right estimate should be formed of its character. It is not a work of fiction, but a collection of facts, thrown together into one tale, with scarcely any additions, and few other alterations than those which were absolutely necessary, in order to disguise names, places, and dates.

It has fallen to her lot, to witness many of the evils attendant on the too common practice of sending young persons to the continent, at that very period of life when the mind is most unguarded, the feelings most susceptible, and the principles most uncertain. She has seen the snares spread for the inexperienced, the spells thrown over the warm imagination, the fascinations entwined round the youthful heart, by that most dangerous system of false religion, which, appealing with almost irresistible power to the senses, through them prostrates the reasoning faculties, and thus silently, but surely, weaves its fatal net around the unsuspecting victim. She has thus seen the foundation of a Protestant education sapped and undermined, till the promising fabric, reared by parental fondness, has been levelled with the dust, and the deluded parents left to mourn their alienated child a prey to the seductions of Popery, or the not less probable danger of unsettled principles, and practical infidelity.

It is, unfortunately, too much the custom with parents, to lull their minds into a false security on the subject, by requiring a promise from the Romish instructors, to whom they entrust their children, that no attempts shall be made to interfere with their 1#

VI

PREFACE.

religion; and, satisfied with this assurance, they persuade themselves that there is no cause for fear. Alas! how greatly are they mistaken ! The promises thus given are often indirectly, if not directly broken ; and even where there is a conscientious adherence to the engagement, there are a thousand perils and snares, inseparably and necessarily connected with a residence among, and constant intercourse with, the votaries of the Romish heresy, which can only be avoided through the special interposition of a merciful Providence. Let such parents remember the daily prayer they teach their children, — “ Lead us not into temptation,” — and the solemn warning addressed to them, by Him “ who searcheth the heart, and trieth the reins,” — “ Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.”

No Roman Catholic instructress could more conscientiously refrain from all intentional interference than Madame d’Elfort ; yet the Author again assures her readers, that the evils she has attempted to describe, as resulting from a residence under her roof, are not, in any degree, either imaginary or exaggerated ; neither are Madame d’Elfort, her establishment, and her pupils, at all fictitious. She could easily, and without any violation of truth, have deepened the picture with darker shades ; she could have painted an unhappy father, deserted in his old age by two daughters, who had been taught that it was a meritorious work, and one which would secure their salvation, to bury themselves in the living death of a cloister, while by thus trampling on every filial duty, they brought down their parent’s grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. She could have sketched the affecting picture of a bereaved mother, whose heart has been broken, and her remaining days embittered, by the apostasy and undutifulness of an only child, once her joy and hope amidst a life of severe trial, and whose principles were gradually perverted by the inconsiderate in dulgence of a Protestant governess, who unreflectingly allowed her occasionally to attend a Popish chapel, and thus exposed her to the snares and artful machinations of the Papists. But she forbears;— such instances have been but too frequent; her object was to point out the minute, every-day dangers connected with a Roman Catholic seminary, even under the most favorable circumstances *. and she trusts she has said enough for that purpose. She hopes that Christian parents, who value the principles, the immortal

PREFACE.

Vll souls, the eternal interests of their children, will no longer send them forth “ as sheep in the midst of wolves.”

If there are any parents so ignorant of the religion they profess, as to imagine that there is but little real difference between Protestantism and Popery, and that it is of no consequence what we believe, if we are but sincere in that belief, the author would earnestly entreat them to study the Word of God with more attention, and prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit ; they will then see that “ there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved,” but the name of Christ ; “ neither is there salvation in any other 5” and that, as the church of Rome substitutes many other methods of salvation, and many other Saviours, in the place of Him “ whom God has anointed,” she is essentially an anti-christian church, and therefore to be dreaded, as the greatest enemy to genuine Christianity. And if they are members of the church of England, she begs to refer them to the xvmth Article of their church, in confirmation of her assertion.

Finally, she would say to all Protestant parents, whatever their peculiar sentiments may be, “ If your children must go to France, place them at least in the hands of Protestants. There are many such establishments there, conducted by English instructors, where they may enjoy all the advantages of a French education, combined with the far more important benefits of religious instruction, on scriptural principles.” If this simple narrative,— this “ plain, unvarnished tale,” should be made instrumental in preserving but one lamb of the Saviour’s flock from the snares, pitfalls, and innumerable perils of a Popish school, she will thank Him “without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy that her humble labor “ has not been in vain in the Lord.”

THE

SCHOOL-GIRL IN FRANCE.

Chapter 1 The Letter

Lead us not Into temptation. — Matthew vi. 13.

It was a beautiful morning, in the early part of summer. The trees and fields were clothed with the loveliest verdure ; the feathered songsters of the grove were warbling a hymn of gratitude to their beneficent Creator; the flowers seemed to breathe their sweetest incense to his praise; and every feature of the surrounding landscape wore the aspect of peace and joy.

This sweet serenity of nature diffused its calming influence over the minds of two young friends, as, with arms fondly linked, they slowly walked along a pleasant country-road, that led from their native village, within sight of the deep blue waters that roll through the British channel* Their thoughts were intent on subjects of deep importance to both ; yet, for some time, neither had spoken a word.

“ Dear Caroline,” at length observed the elder, a pensive-looking girl of seventeen, whose dark eyes and hair gave additional interest to the paleness of her cheek, “how lovely, how very lovely is this scene ! but, oh, how long it may be ere we again behold it!”

A smile of cheerful hope illumined the sweet countenance of her blue-eyed companion, as she replied, “ My dear, drooping Emily, you must not yield to these foreboding fancies. *A year or two will soon pass away, and I trust we shall then return to this beloved spot, with minds improved by instruction, and hearts expanded, but not corrupted. Our education will then be finished, and our principles more firmly fixed, by the experience we shall have had, of the superiority of truth over error.”

THE LETTER,

<c God grant it may be so !” exclaimed Emily, clasping hot hands, in the energy of her feelings, “but I cannot altogether divest myself of a fearful apprehension, which makes me wish that our parents had not thought it necessary to send us to France, for that fashionable polish to our education, which is, after all, of so very little real value.”

“ Well,” replied Caroline, “ I cannot enter into your view of the subject. I am quite delighted with the prospect of the new scenes, characters, and manners we shall witness, and the various sources of knowledge that will be open to us ; and I can fear no attraction in those empty, worldly pleasures, which we have already renounced, nor any danger in a religion, with the errors of which we are so thoroughly acquainted.”

“Perhaps I am wrong,” said Emily, after a pause; “perhaps there is too much unbelief and distrust in my present fears ; but oh ! Caroline, when I reflect on my own weakness and insufficiency ; when I think how £ averse to good and prone to ill ’ my treacherous heart continually proves itself, and remember, at the same time, that I am soon to be exposed to those snares into which so many others have fallen, — I shrink back with involuntary alarm from the contemplation.”

A deep sigh attested the sincerity of her fears, and she pressed her hand to her forehead in thoughtful dejection.

“ Dear Emily,” said Caroline, affectionately pressing her hand, “do not thus distrust the power and faithfulness of God; you know ‘ he giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ Remember how often dear Mr. Somerville has told us, that we could do nothing of ourselves, but that we must look to Christ, and there we should find help.”

“ You are right, Caroline,” replied Emily, her countenance resuming somewhat of its usual mild, yet thoughtful serenity. “ You know,” continued she, smiling, “ that I am a foolish creature ; but I trust my Saviour’s strength will be ‘ made perfect in my weakness.’ ”

The two friends had now reached a turning in the road, from whence they perceived a servant approaching, with a letter in his hand. He presented it to Emily, who received it with an expression of delight, which was re-echoed by her companion.

“ Let us take the road through the fields, that we may be able to read it,” exclaimed Caroline. “Dear, dear Mr. Somerville! was it not just like him to write immediately? — was it not just like a father ?”

“ He has, indeed, been a father to us,” observed Emily, “ and I am sure this kind letter is worthy of his exalted character, as well as of his sacred office.”

It was, as she expected, an epistle full of pastoral admonition, and expressing the most friendly solicitude for their spiritual wel

THE LETTER.

fare. Mr. Somerville wrote in answer to a request they had made, that he would favor them with directions for their guidance in the land of strangers.

“ As you tell me,” said this excellent friend, “ that your parents have permitted you to choose, for your school-residence, one of those favored spots in that spiritual wilderness, where the blessings of a scriptural ministry, and Christian fellowship, may be enjoyed, I feel much less concerned at your temporary exile than I otherwise should ; at the same time that there is much less occasion for counsel, either from me or any other person. The directions you will find in your Bible, and in the other religious books that you will take over with you, joined to the instructions of the pastor under whose ministry you will sit, and the promised and implored guidance of the Holy Spirit, will, I am persuaded, render any body of rules, to be drawn up by me, altogether unnecessary.

“ If, however, it will afford you tany satisfaction, that I should express my sentiments on the occasion, I will tell you, that the chief danger I should apprehend for you, in any case, would not be from the religion , but rather from the irreligion of the country ; and it is against the latter, especially, that I would entreat you to be tremblingly on your guard. No one ought, indeed, to feel secure from the seductive influence of false principles, in situations where those principles are daily presented to the mind, and where there is not that protection against them, wrhich is afforded by a frequent intercourse with the professors of the truth, and a regular attendance on the simple and faithful preaching of the unadulterated gospel. But, with the knowledge you possess, of what the religion of Jesus is, and wrhat the tenets of popery are: and taking, as I am persuaded you will do, from the first , a decided part for the one against the other, I do not anticipate that you will be in much danger, during your residence on the continent, of becoming Roman Catholics. There is something in every doctrine, in every circumstance connected with that religion, so contrary to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, so different from its spiritual nature and soid-humbling influence ; and so discordant to the feelings of a renewed heart, which has deeply felt the necessity of a free and full salvation in him, that I trust you will be in no great peril from its otherwise fascinating powder.

44 1 cannot say, however, that I am quite so easy with regard to the power of godliness, as I am in reference to the form of it. You will find fit difficult, when living in the midst of ungodly society, — dwelling, as you most probably will, in an establishment wlmre, with a superstitious regard to some externals, there prevails, notwithstanding, an habitual neglect of the life of religion ; you will find it difficult, I say, when mixing continually with light, frivolous, and worldly-minded persons, however moral and

THE LETTER.

upright their character in other respects, to avoid losing that task, that relish for spiritual things, which is, after all, the grand essen tial. Guard, then, chiefly against this snare ; and ever keep in mind, of how little avail it would be that you should return to your country, Protestants in name and profession, and with an undiminished attachment to that 4 form of sound words’ in which you have been brought up, if, at the same time, you should no longer be devoted in heart to the service of him who now appears in our eyes 4 the chiefest among ten thousand,’ and the 4 altogether lovely.’ Such a conviction as this, joined with the use of the means to which it will naturally prompt, will form your best safeguard, and most effectual protection, under him whose grace and detence I most sincerely implore on your behalf.”

44 Keep near, I beseech you, my dear young friends, to that Almighty Saviour. Walk humbly and consistently with your God, and endeavor, above all things, by fervent prayer and diligent Bible-reading, to cultivate an uninterrupted communion with him, and a spiritual and watchful frame of mind. Oh! cling to Jesus with the ardor of faith, and you need not fear nil the powers of hell combined. 4 He will cover you with his wings, and undei his feathers you will be safe ; his faithfulness and truth shall be your shield and buckler.’ I recommend the whole of that beautiful ninety-first Psalm to your frequent and attentive perusal.

“ I pray that 4 he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ.’ To his merciful guidance I commit you both. May he not only 4 keep you from falling,’ but bless you with a very abundant measure of the influences of his Holy Spirit. May he 4 shed his love abroad in your hearts,’ enrich you with all the ‘fruits of the Spirit,’ and enable jsou ever to rejoice in your Saviour, 4 with joy unspeakable, and full of glory .*

44 Mrs. Somerville presents her most affectionate regards, and joins in every prayer for your spiritual prosperity, with Your very sincere friend,

Charles Somerville”

G— — , 19th June.’

CHAPTER 11.

THE FAREWELL VISIT.

I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. — Joshua i 5.

After the conversation related in the foregoing chapter, it is un* necessary to say much of the previous history of Caroline Howard and Emily Mortimer. They were cousins, and had, from their infancy, been so much together, that the most sisterly affection and confidence subsisted between them. Their characters, indeed, were essentially different ; but the contrast they presented only served to endear them more fondly to each other.

Caroline had been nursed in the lap of parental indulgence, and the sunny brightness of her disposition had scarcely been obscured by a single cloud. She possessed a softness and pliability of temper, which made her truly amiable ; but her character was principally marked by an extreme susceptibility of feeling, which, m after life, might prove a dangerous snare.

Emily had lost her mother in early childhood, and this severe loss haa been but ill supplied by a mother-in-law, who considered it a duty to thwart her every inclination, and to bring her up under a system of continual restraint and coercion. The perpetual vexations, and trials of temper, arising from this circumstance, had saddened a disposition naturally buoyant, and thrown a deep shade of thoughtfulness over the native enthusiasm of her character.

The cousins had been sent to the same school, in a neighboring town, and remained there three years. During that time they were brought under the faithful preaching of the gospel 5 a privilege they had never enjoyed before. The labors of Mr. Somerville had been greatly blessed to them ; and through the influence of that Divine Spirit, who alone can make His own word effectual, they were enabled to devote themselves to the service of their God. The effects of this happy change were visible in the character and conduct of both. It regulated, without lessening, the extreme sensibility of the one, while it elevated and sanctified the ardent imagination and enthusiastic feelings of the other.

On returning to their paternal homes, they carefully treasured the many excellent counsels of their faithful and beloved pastor. They did not shrink from avowing their attachment to the principles of the gospel ; but though they met with some opposition, and many petty persecutions, in the shape of temptation, ridicule, and vexatious annoyances, they endeavored, by an humble and consistent walk, to “ adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things.” They were, however, young and inexperienced, and felt that they greatly needed an Almighty arm to uphold them.

THE FAREWELL VISIT.

As the gospel was but little known in that part of the country’, they considered it a peculiar privilege that, through the introduction of Mr. Somerville, they enjoyed the friendship of an elderly clergyman and his wife, whose distinguished piety, and Christian kindness, made their society and counsels invaluable.

Mr. Morton, who was rector of a neighboring parish, was a man venerable for his years and experience, respected for his uprightness and consistency, and beloved for his active Christian benevolence. There was a patriarchal simplicity in his manners, which peculiarly fitted him for the office he filled; and while the uncompromising faithfulness of his ministerial character pointed him out as the firm defender of evangelical truth, the kindness of his heart, and the assiduity with which, in imitation of his divine Master, “ he went about doing good,” proved him the sympathizing and affectionate father of his flock.

Mrs. Morton was, without exception, the most charming woman the cousins had ever seen. She was about fifty, remarkably pleasing in person, and affable in address. Her manners were elegant, yet perfectly unstudied ; her countenance expressive of every benevolent feeling; and there was a nameless charm in everything she did — an inexpressible something, so sweet, so captivating, that no heart endowed with sensibility could resist its powerful attraction. It was the unaffected simplicity and candor, the warm and spontaneous kindness, of a heart overflowing with Christian love, that shed a holy benignity over her every word and action, and made her the object of enthusiastic affection, to all those who were privileged to eall themselves her friends.

Emily and Caroline had now been some months at home, when they were suddenly informed that it was their parents’ intention to send them for a year or two to a French boarding-school, for the purpose of completing their education in the language of that country. This, although the ostensible, was not the only reason that prompted this determination. This strange adoption of fanatical opinions, — as the change in their religious principles was called, — had been a source of much vexation to their respective families, and had disappointed many a long-cherished expectation ; and it was hoped that an introduction to different scenes and pursuits, a removal from serious friends and associations, and, above all, an immersion in the gaieties of French society, would be successful in eradicating those impressions which every effort had hitherto failed to overcome ; besides imparting that artificial polish to their manners, which the frequent intercourse with France had now rendered so fashionable.

Little did these short-sighted parents consider, or reflect on, the dangers to which they were thus exposing their children ; they never once thought either of the religion or irreligion of the place to which they were about to send them. But not so Mr. and Mrs.

THE FAREWELL VISIT.

Morton. They saw the necessity of endeavoring to counteract the evil, and advised their young friends to request that they

might be permitted to choose a school in the town of S ,

where they knew that an English place of worship existed, and the unspeakable advantages of a gospel ministry, and a small circle of serious Christians, might be enjoyed. Emily and Caroline thankfully accepted the suggestion, and, after some difficulty, sue ceeded in obtaining their request

They were on their road to Clifden parsonage, to visit these excellent friends for the last time before they left England, and once more listen to the blessed acccents of Christian friendship and advice, when Mr. Somerville’s letter arrived, with the important counsels they had requested. It furnished them with most interesting subjects of conversation, till the modest spire of Clifden church emerged to their view, from its surrounding screen of ancient and lolty trees.

A group of cottages and farm-houses, remarkable for their neat* ness, and their appearance of rustic comfort, encompassed this venerable edifice. It was of antique, and extremely plain architecture, and its walls were darkened by the hand of time. The church-yard was ‘equally unadorned, and contained few monuments more elegant than the plain white tomb-stone, on which were simply engraven the name and age of the person whose remains it covered. But the grass that profusely mantled the graves was remarkably green and fresh, and the humble daisy, with its blossoms of silvery white, or slightly tinged with a shade of delicate pink, bespangled in wild luxuriance the peaceful abode of the dead.

Behind the churchyard was the parsonage.; it was originally a low, rambling and irregular building, but one end of it had been rebuilt in a more modern style, for the convenience of its inhabitants, and though it had no claims to architectural beauty, presented an appearance of great neatness and comfort.

When the cousins opened the little white wicket-gate in front, their senses were immediately saluted with the perfume of the flowers, which grew in rich profusion round the smooth grass-

Elat ; but the most delightful fragrance seemed to arise from the eautiful borders of thyme, which were then in full bloom. “ Oh !” exclaimed Caroline, “ how truly may this spot be called

‘ The sweet abode of piety and peace !’

It seems to diffuse a holy calm over the mind ; and its loveliness is indeed a striking emblem of its dear inhabitants.”

Emily’s heart responded warmly to this observation ; but that heart was too full for utterance, and they silently proceeded to the house. Several beautiful pigeons, Mrs. Morton’s favorite

THE FAREWELL VISIT.

proteges, started at their approach from the parlor- winuows, on the outside of which they had just been feeding from their mistress’s hand, and flew to their dwelling in the garden. A large and well-fed cat was basking in the sun before the door, and a pretty lap-dog ran to welcome the well-known visitors, with many a joyful bound, and many an artless caress.

Mrs. Morton received her young friends with unaffected kindness ; Mr. Morton was absent, on one of his usual visits to his sick parishioners, but he soon joined the little party, and entered with lively interest into their conversation. Emily communicated to her friends the contents of Mr. Somerville’s letter. Mr. Morton expressed the warmest approbation of them, but did not seem quite so fearless as his friend, on the subject of Popish influence. He had passed a part of his youth in France, and was consequently well acquainted with the danger. He therefore availed himself of the opportunity to give the cousins the most important cautions, and strongly exhorted them to be always on their guard.

“ Remember, my dear young friends,” said this venerable man, M that Popery is a religion which appeals most powerfully to the senses : which possesses every facility, from the seductive nature of its tenets, and the imposing splendor of ’its ceremonies, for dazzling the imagination, perverting the judgment, and ensnaring the heart. I apprehend no danger for you from its grosser and more palpable errors ; but there are subtleties in its system, to which a young and ardent mind is peculiarly exposed, — and perhaps more imminently so, if it takes a deep interest in religion.”

The rest of the morning was spent in this interesting conversation, and the cousins treasured up with gratitude his friendly admonitions. After dinner, Mrs. Morton invited them once more to take a walk to the sea-side, where, at a short distance from the parsonage, was a beautiful little bay, the romantic scenery of which excited the admiration of all wno beheld it.

It is impossible to imagine anything more sweetly picturesque, than the road which led to this spot. The hills which rose abruptly on each side were clothed with delightful verdure, and formed between them a deep and lovely valley, diversified with pretty cottages, and small gardens carefully cultivated, and smiling in all the gay luxuriance of summer. A few sheep were peacefully feeding on the hills ; and a small rivulet, after gliding for some time with a gentle murmur that was scarcely heard, rushed suddenly and noisily down the declivity, as if impatient to lose itself in the waters of the ocean An abrupt turning in the road conducted to a rustic little mill, and beyond it the eye rested on the romantic features of the bay, with its fantastic groups of rocks along the shore, while the deep blue expanse of the sea terminated the prospect on that side.

Emily and Caroline walked by Mrs Morton, each clasping an

THE FAREWELL VISIT.

arm of that amiable woman, and gazed on the scene with mingled feelings of pleasure, tenderness, and sorrow. They conversed on the goodness of him, who has clothed with so many charms this beautiful creation, and Mrs. Morton spoke, with the enthusiasm of deep feeling, of his tender love to his children — of his covenantmercies to his chosen — to those who are interested in his Son’s salvation. She dwelt on the kindness and compassion of that mighty and merciful Saviour; — his tender sympathy in the trials and sorrows of his people ; — and his unchangeable faithfulness, which is pledged to be their eternal safeguard. “ Like as a father pitieth his children,” said she, “ so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. We have not an high priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, but was, in all points, tempted like as we are, yet without sin He is our nearest, our tenderest, and most sympathizing friend, one 1 who sticketh closer than a brother,’ and who ‘ will never leave us nor forsake us.’ 1 Oh ! how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty !’ How inexpressibly blessed are those who have this Saviour for their portion !”

Mrs. Morton’s countenance glowed with animation, and her young friends hung on her every word with feelings of unutterable affection. They were now standing on the projecting brow of a cliff, which commanded an extensive view of the surrounding objects. They sat down on the soft grass, and contemplated the beauty of the scene. Beneath them lay the mighty ocean, unruffled as a peaceful lake ; its rippling waves gently stealing over a bed of smooth sand, or dashing their harmless spray around the rocks that obstructed their progress. A few fishing boats were slowly gliding over its azure bosom, and the white sails of a ship in the distance agreeably contrasted with the sparkling waters. In the valley behind them all was peace and rural beauty; the sweet murmur of the falling stream, and the no less pleasing echo of the waves, were the only sounds that broke on the silence of the evening air.

Absorbed by the interest of their conversation, the three friends lingered in this beautiful spot, till the declining rays of the sun, tinging the clouds with purple and gold, warned them to return to the parsonage. As they were leaving their seat on the cliff, the cousins paused to take a farewell look, and their eyes were suffused with tears, as they thought on the time that must elapse, ere they could hope again to see this endeared and interesting spot.