1. St. Louis University, already noticed, with 6 priests for instructors, and 150 students, of which, about 80 are boarders. The rules require their attendance on morning and evening prayers, the catechism, and divine service on Sundays and holidays. 2. St. Mary's College, also noticed in our description of colleges. 3. Noviciate for Jesuits under St. Stanislaus, in St. Louis county. Of female institutions there are,—1. Convent of the "Ladies of the Sacred Heart," at St. Louis; 2. another of the same description, and their noviciate, at Florrissant;—3. another of the same order at St. Charles;—4. a female academy at Carondalet, six miles below St. Louis, by the "Sisters of Charity;"—5. a convent and academy of the "Sisters of Loretto," at New Madrid;—6. a convent and female academy at Frederickstown, under supervision of a priest;—7. a convent and female academy of the "Sisters of Loretto," in Perry county. The Roman Catholic population in Missouri does not exceed 15,000. Their pupils, of both sexes, may be estimated at 700. To the above may be added the hospital, and the asylum for boys, in St. Louis, under the management of the Sisters of Charity.
Roman Catholic teachers, usually foreigners, disperse themselves through the country, and engage in teaching primary schools; availing themselves of intercourse with the families of their employers to instruct them in the dogmas of their religion. The greatest success that has attended the efforts of the priests in converting others, has been during the prevalence of the cholera, and especially after collapse and insensibility had seized the person! We know of more than 60 Roman Catholics who have been converted to the faith of Christ and joined Christian churches within 3 or 4 years past, in this State.
6. New Orleans.—The Roman Catholics in Louisiana are numerous, probably including one third of the population. Relatively, Protestants are increasing, as a large proportion of the emigration from the other States, who care any thing about religion, are Protestants. There are 26 congregations, and 27 priests with several convents, female seminaries, asylums, &c.
7. Mobile.—A splendid cathedral has been commenced here. This Diocess extends into Florida.
FOOTNOTES:
[12] The reader will note that our estimates of Roman Catholics include the whole family of every age. Whereas, our statistics of Protestant denominations included only communicants.