MONK OF LA TRAPPE - 1850

LA TRAPPE, NEW MILLERAY, NEW MELLERAY

Posted By: CHERYL MOONEN (email)
Date: 12/27/2018 at 12:07:22

Miners Express, Wednesday, Apr 17, 1850, Dubuque, I Page: 2
MONK OF LA TRAPPE – Twenty-two brothers of this community arrived here on the 11th inst., from Ireland. Their destination is New Milleray, an establishment of the Order, situated about eight miles west of this place. Here the Trappist own about sixteen hundred acres of first rate land, which they intend to cultivate by the United exertions of labor, science and ingenuity – qualities which most people concede they possess in great perfection. On their farm and in their worships they intend to produce and procure for themselves all the necessaries of this life; and by a course of prayer, retirement and even solitude, they expect to merit and receive the inheritance promised to the just in life to come.

We are not familiar with their rule of life in detail; but from what we do know of it, it is enviable in all else but the object which is sought to me obtained. That object (Heaven) is worthy of even greater exertions than the Trappist makes for its attainment, that the majority of mankind seek the same object in a more ordinary way.

Well, it is a matter of taste or inclination, after all whether one chooses to live secluded from the world. and mind his own business only, or conform to the customs and fashions of the busier world, which do not always keep people within this wise restriction.

We can see no objection to the union of labor, science, and skill, when applied to the promotion of useful industry; and still less objection to a union of prayer, when devoted to the accomplishments of so legitimate a purpose as the attainment of heavenly felicity. Such we believe to be the object of the Monks of La Trappe, and such also by the means which they attempt the accomplishment of their object.
It will be unnecessary for me to say, that the education of youth is another feature of their institution, which will be beneficial to their neighbors, and the more so, as it will be given graciously.