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New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 445, 21 October 1881, Page 7

The drains leading from the Philadelphia Mint yielded about 1,000 dols worth of gold and silver at the last annual scouring. The recovery of metal by that operation has amounted to 21,000 dols. in nineteen years Hundreds of pilgrims who have visited the Holy Land speak in the highest terms of the hospitality of the Franciscan Fathers who have charge of the holy sepulchre ; for not only Catholics, but Protestants also invariably meet with a cordial reception. Few travellers, how* ever, mention in their accounts a practice that shows ip the clearest light the heroic charity of these devoted religious. Whenever the pest breaks out in Jerusalem, one of the fathers leaves the monastery, fiift preparing himself for death by a fervent reception ©f the sacraments, and hastens to the city to bestow upon all, without distinction of person or creed, both corporal and spiritual aid. Tbe monk remains away from the monastery as long as the scourge continues, for fear of spreading it. In order that the others may be kept informed whether or not he still lives he rings every day at a fixed hour a little bell which rommunicates with the monastery. As long as the bell continues to be heard, the brethren know that the religious is at his post and among the liviug ; but if on any day the bell is silent, they know that he has fallen a victim to tbe pest, and another member hastens forth to replace him. — Catholic Record,