How much more must we take an interest in the lives of the poor, oppressed humans, the over-burdened, entrapped nuns behind the convent walls, though she may imagine that she is enjoying the greatest freedom and the happiest life. Yes, we must all look well to the doors that stand between Liberty and bondage, even though those doors seem bright with "religious" paint. Let me say with the poet, that I cannot hope to "live but a few more days, or years, at most," and my one aim is to give to the world a book that will stand the crucial time of the changing years--a book that shall be known and read long after the author is forgotten. I write it with a fond hope that it may be helpful to "those who have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge," those who may be floundering in the meshes of a crooked and perversed theology. I want no other monument. ELIZABETH SCHOFFEN. February, 1917. CONTENTS. Chapter. Page I. Introductory 11 II. My Early Life and Schooling 17 III. My Novitiate Life 23 IV. A Virgin Spouse of Christ--My First Mission 37 V. My Begging Expedition--St. Vincent's Hospital--Routine of a Sister 47 VI. How I Educated Myself--I Become Superintendent of the Third Floor at St. Vincent's 61 VII. Sacrament of Penance--Mass and Communion--Extreme Unction--Indulgences--Annual Retreat 72 VIII. My Trip to the General Mother House 85 IX. I Receive My Diploma for Nursing from St. Vincent's Hospital--Trouble Among the Sisters 103 X. My Removal from St. Vincent's Hospital 122 XI. Two Interesting Letters from Sisters--My Letters for Redress to Archbishop Christie 130 XII. My Emancipation 144 XIII. I Quit the Roman Catholic Church 155 XIV. Form for Dispensation of the "Holy" Vows--My Suit and Settlement With the Sisters of Charity 165 XV. My Recommendation from the Doctors of Portland--The Good Samaritan--I Affiliate With a Protestant Church--My New Work 181 XVI. My "Advertisement" in the Catholic Sentinel 191 XVII. The Care of Old Sisters by the Roman Catholic System 199 XVIII. Conclusion 205