Springfield Weekly Republican

Gen Sherman's Son Gives His Reasons FOR TURNING PRIEST.—For some time past I have had a strong leaning for the ministry, and so, having now reached the age when every man has to choose his own career in life, and weighed this important matter of choice with all the care and deliberation of which I am capable, I have decided to become a Catholic priest."

How long ago I reached this decision, what means I have taken to test and confirm myself in my resolution, and why, having finally decided, I now choose to go to England to make part of my preparation for the priesthood, are inquiries which are of no interest to any one but myself, and to answer them would be apart from the object of this letter.

I write to inform you and to beg you to communicate the information to those who may inquire concerning me, that I assume to myself the whole responsibility of my choice. As with me alone rested the duty and burden of choosing a path in life, so with me alone rests the blame or praise of having chosen the church instead of the law.

My father, as you know, is not a Catholic, and, therefore, the step I am taking seems as startling and as strange to him as I have no doubt it does to you, my dear sir. I go without his approval, sanction or consent, in fact, in direct opposition to his best wishes in my behalf. For he had formed other plans for me, which are now defeated, and had other hopes and expectations in my regard which are necessarily dashed to the ground."

In conclusion, my dear sir, I have one request to make, and I make it not only to you, but to all our friends and relatives to whom you may see fit to show this letter or communicate its contents; it is this: Feeling painfully aware that I have grieved and disappointed my father, I beg my friends and his, one and all of whatever religion they may be, to spare him inquiries or comments of any sort, for I cannot help feeling that anything of the kind would be ill-timed and inappropriate.