The Jesuits - James Aitken Wylie

and purely disinterested, from the restriction it puts
upon the class of persons taken under its
protection. The Instructions do not say "widows,"
but "rich widows." But all the more on that account
do widows need defense against the arts of
chicanery and the wiles of avarice, and how can the
Fathers better accord them such than by taking
measures to convey their bodies and their goods
alike within the safe walls of a convent? There the
cormorants and vultures of a wicked world cannot
make them their prey. But let us mark how they are
to proceed. First, a Father of suitable gifts is to be
selected to begin operations. He must not, in point
of years, exceed middle age; he must have a fresh
complexion, and a gracious discourse. He is to visit
the widow, to touch feelingly on her position, and
the snares and injuries to which it exposes her, and
to hint at the fraternal care that the society of which
he is a member delights to exercise over all in her
condition who choose to place themselves under its
guardianship. After a few visits of this sort, the
widow will probably appear at one of the chapels
of the society. Should it so happen, the next step is
to appoint a confessor of their body for the widow.
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