Children of South America

by Katharine A. Hodge

There was an orphan school kept by a few Christians who loved little children, a few miles out of Cordoba. A little boy was very ill, dying of consumption; and he was brought to a hospital in the city. The little fellow knew the Gospel, and had his Testament with him. His precious Book was taken away from him; and although he was so ill he was given no peace till he was driven to confess to a priest and renounce the Gospel.

Then they tried to stop the missionary’s visits, but, in defiance of the Catholic nurse, and on the ground that the missionary had brought up the orphan child, she got through to see him before he died.

Children take part in the religious festivals of the Roman Church, especially the feasts of the Virgin, of which there are very many. One of the chief festivals is that of the “Virgin Mercedes.” The image is taken out of the great Church that bears her name, in order that, according to an ancient custom, she may release four prisoners.

This Virgin is reckoned to be very miraculous. She is supposed, years ago, to have given special victory in an Argentine battle. In commemoration of this, every year she is solemnly taken down from her niche, and paraded with great pomp to release any four prisoners she chooses.

Let us turn aside and see this great sight. The route of the procession is lined, almost packed, with people. Cordoba being a large and so-called religious city, practically everybody is out to watch with us. At last we see the procession; it is slowly returning to the church. How long it is! For we find by our watches that it has taken twenty minutes to pass.

A CONVENTILLO IN THE ARGENTINE CAPITAL

Heads are bared as the robed priests and choir boys, with lights and lanterns, come into view. Such crowds of women follow! Little children dressed in white follow on, carrying silk banners. At length, to the muffled sound of the drum, and well protected by armed soldiers, comes the Virgin, carried aloft.

The excitement is now at its highest. Women are throwing flowers from the balconies to the Virgin. All are anxious to catch sight of the four prisoners at whose feet the Virgin had been made to drop a free pardon. Then follow in the rear more soldiers as a further escort.

In spite of all these feasts, the priests feel they are losing their hold upon the people, especially the women; and in order to revive religious sentiment cinematograph pictures are being shown in one of the churches to attract more worshippers. To lose the women is also to lose the children, the men they have already lost.