The Bishop came to our room early one morning, and took us to the chapel.  At the door we were made to kneel, and then crawl on our hands and knees to the altar, where sat a man, who we were told, was the Archbishop.  Two little boys came up from under the altar, with the vesper lamp to burn incense.  I suppose they were young Apostles, for they looked very much like those we had seen at the White Nunnery, and were dressed in the same manner.  The Bishop turned his back, and they threw incense on his head and shoulders, until he was surrounded by a cloud of smoke.  He bowed his head, smote upon his breast, and repeated something in latin, or some other language, that we did not understand.  We were told to follow his example, and did so, as nearly as possible.  This ceremony over, the Bishop told us to go up on to the altar on our knees, and when this feat was performed to his satisfaction, he placed a crown of thorns upon each of our heads.  These crowns were made of bands of some firm material, which passed over the head and around the forehead.  On the inside thorns were fastened, with the points downward, so that a very slight pressure would cause them to pierce the skin.  This I suppose is intended to imitate the crown of thorns which our Saviour wore upon the cross.  But what will it avail them to imitate the crucifixion and the crown of thorns, while justice and mercy are so entirely neglected?  What will it avail to place a crown of thorns upon a child’s head, or to bid her kneel before the image of the Saviour, or travel up stairs on her knees, while the way of salvation by Christ is never explained to her; while of real religion, holiness of heart, and purity of life she is as ignorant as the most benighted, degraded heathen?  Is it rational to suppose that the mere act of repeating a prayer can heal the wounded spirit, or give peace to a troubled conscience?  Can the most cruel penance remove the sense of guilt, or whisper hope to the desponding soul?  Ah, no!  I have tried it long enough to speak with absolute certainty.  For years I practiced these senseless mummeries, and if there were any virtue, in them, I should, most certainly have discovered it.  But I know full well, and my reader knows that they cannot satisfy the restless yearnings of the immortal mind.  They may delude the vulgar, but they cannot dispel the darkness of the tomb, they cannot lead a soul to Christ.

On leaving the chapel after the ceremony, I found a new Superior, waiting for us at the door to conduct us to our rooms.  We were all very much surprised at this, but she informed us that our old Superior died that morning, that she was already buried, and she had come to take her place.  I could not believe this story, for she came to us as usual that morning, appeared in usual health, though always very pale, and made no complaint, or exhibited any signs of illness.  She told us in her kind and pleasant way that we were to be consecrated, gave us a few words of advice,