ation. The historical mind has never been
considered in the world of thought as sovereign. The philosopher is
broad enough to study all ways leading to the full truth and joy of
life, whether logical or traditional; but he knows that the study of
principles is higher than that of facts. . . . No man can
intelligently become a Catholic without examining and deciding the
historical question. But back of this is the consideration that the
truths the Church teaches are necessarily in harmony with my
reason--nay, that they alone solve the problems of reason
satisfactorily and answer fully to the wants of the heart. To some
minds the truths standing alone compel assent; that is to say, the
truths standing alone, and considered in themselves, demand the
submission of my reason. Among these truths, thus imperative, not the
least is the need of the very Church herself, viewed in her action on
men and nations--viewed quite apart from the historical and
Scriptural proof of her establishment by Christ. Once the mind is
lifted above subjectivism and is face-to-face with the truth, union
with the Church is only a question of time and of fidelity to
conscience."--_Catholic World,_ November, 1887, "Dr. Brownson and
Catholicity."

________________________

CHAPTER XIII

HIS SEARCH AMONG THE SECTS

HAD Protestantism possessed anything capable of attracting Isaac
Hecker he would certainly have found it, for he made due and diligent
search. He was, in a manner, bound to do so, for the atmosphere in
which he had been born and nurtured had not yet cleared so fully that
he could say to himself with positive assurance that there was no
safe midway between no-belief and Catholicity.

All the natural influences of his surroundings were such as to draw
him to one or other of the Protestant denominations. The power of
example and precept in his mother tended that way. The power of
public opinion, in so far as it had any religious bearing, was
Protestant. The most intelligent and high-minded people he had
enjoyed intimate acquaintance with were Protestant by birth and
training. True, most of these had fallen away from both the
fellowship and the doctrines of orthodoxy; but while they had not the
heart to point him to what had been their Egypt, still they had no
Promised Land to lead him into, and were confessedly in the Desert.
Yet their influence was indirectly favorable to Protestantism as
opposed to Catholicity, although no one but