that I shall ever feel: that your whole
conduct towards the Church of England and towards us, who have
striven and are still striving to seek after God for ourselves,
and to revive true religion among others, under her authority and
guidance, has been generous and considerate, and, were that word
appropriate, dutiful, to a degree that I could scarcely have
conceived possible, more unsparing of self than I should have thought
nature could sustain. I have felt with pain every link that you have
severed, and I have asked no questions, because I felt that you ought
to measure the disclosure of your thoughts according to the occasion,
and the capacity of those to whom you spoke. I write in haste, in
the midst of engagements engrossing in themselves, but partly made
tasteless, partly embittered by what I have heard; but I am willing
to trust even you, whom I love best on earth, in God's Hand, in the
earnest prayer that you may be so employed as is best for the Holy
Catholic Church."

There was a lady, who was very anxious on the subject, and I wrote to
her the following letters:--

1. "October, 1844. What can I say more to your purpose? If you will
ask me any specific questions, I will answer them, as far as I am
able."

2. "November 7, 1844. I am still where I was; I am not moving. Two
things, however, seem plain, that every one is prepared for such an
event, next, that every one expects it of me. Few indeed, who do not
think it suitable, fewer still, who do not think it likely. However,
I do not think it either suitable or likely. I have very little
reason to doubt about the issue of things, but the when and the how
are known to Him, from whom, I trust, both the course of things and
the issue come. The expression of opinion, and the latent and
habitual feeling about me, which is on every side and among all
parties, has great force. I insist upon it, because I have a great
dread of going by my own feelings, lest they should mislead me. By
one's sense of duty one must go; but external facts support one in
doing so."

3. "January 8, 1845. My full belief is, in accordance with your
letter, that, if there is a move in our Church, very few persons
indeed will be partners to it. I doubt whether one or two at the most
among residents at Oxford. And I don't know whether I can wish it.
The state of the Roman Catholics is at present so unsatisfactory.
This I am sure of, that nothing but a simple, direct call of duty is
a warran