A Narrative, FOUNDED ON FACT. BY R. MCCRINDELL, AUTHORESS OF THE "SCHOOL-GIRL IN FRANCE," "THE ENGLISH! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." PREFACE. THE following pages are presented to the public under peculiar, and somewhat melancholy, circum stances. The Authoress, no stranger in the literary world (having acquired some degree of fame by her former works), spent a great part of the last year of her life, in preparing the narrative now published. I have said the "circumstances were melancholy," yet why should I say so? To her emancipated spirit most joyful has been the change. Her life was one of painful suffering, and death, to her, brought no sting. For many years she had been a faithful follower of Jesus, and, in her hour of utmost need, she received that support He never fails to give to those who trust in Him. Most anxious were her desires to benefit the rising race, and to set before them, in all their souldestroying power, the doctrines of Popery. Having passed several years in Roman Catholic countries, and witnessed much of its persecuting spirit, she was well prepared to show the system practised to deceive the simple-minded; and many hours of bodily suffering were endured, while endeavouring, by her writings, to impress upon the minds of British youth, the blessing and privilege they enjoy, in having the Word of God taught them from their youth up; and daily did she pray, that they, like the youthful Timothy, might know" the Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation." That her efforts, for the benefit of the young, have not been in vain, pleasing evidences have been given; her "labour of love" has been acknowledged by her Heavenly Master, in more than one instance. Her "SCHOOL-GIRL IN FRANCE" has been particularly useful, and as the present work was undertaken and carried on in a prayerful spirit, and with a view to His glory, no doubt that He, who has promised His blessing to those who "ask anything" in His name, will vouchsafe to acknowledge the present attempt to spread the knowledge of the truths contained in His own holy word. The outline of the Narrative is founded on fact. The substance is true, but woven together by such circumstances as her imagination suggested as likely to occur to persons situated as were the novices. CLAREMONT HOUSE, Dec. 11, 1847. THE CONVENT. CHAPTER I. THE CONVENT BELLS. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the living faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy, iv. 1, 2, 3. "LIST! oh, list to the convent-bells!" exclaimed Cecilia Montague, as, leaning over the side of the luxurious pleasure-boat, around whose gilded prow the deep blue waves of the beauteous Mediterranean sportively danced and sparkled, she bent a delighted ear to the sweet, plaintive melody, that came pealing over the waters, from the spire of a convent at a short distance from the shore. It was the vesper B |
