glicanism,
Bishop John Hughes brought out to Isaac Hecker the very contrary as
the attractive qualities of Catholicity. He was questioned by the
young inquirer about the latter's chances for studying for the
priesthood should he decide on entering the Church, and he answered
according to rigid notions of the place of authority in religion.

"He said," are the words of the diary, ending a summary of the
interview, "that their Church was one of discipline. I thanked him
for the information that he gave, and told him that it was for just
such instruction that I sought him. He seemed to think that I had
some loose notions of the Church. So far, this settles my present
intention of uniting myself with the Roman Catholic Church. Though I
feel not in the least disinclined to be governed by the most rigid
discipline of any church, yet I am not prepared to enter the Roman
Catholic Church at present. It is not national with us, hence it does
not meet our wants, nor does it fully understand and sympathize with
the experience and dispositions of our people. It is principally made
up of adopted and foreign individuals."

To us this is exceedingly instructive, for it tells us how _not_ to
meet the earnest seeker after Catholic truth. Even a good-natured
dog does not show his teeth when caressed, nor is an artillery salute
the only show of amity between even warlike powers. Yet the repellant
attitude of the great controversialist was that of very many
representative Catholics of his time, especially those holding his
high office. For although he really did know the American people, and
although their country was fully his own, and was by him deeply and
intelligently loved, yet he did not understand or sympathize with the
religious movements of which his strange young visitor was the truest
type. He afterwards knew him better and loved him.

The toss thus given Isaac Hecker by Bishop Hughes's catapult of
"discipline" had the good effect of throwing him again upon a full
and perfect and final investigation of Protestantism. With what
immediate result is shown by the Seabury interview already related,
and with what honesty of purpose is shown by the following words
written the same day:

"If a low passion usurps the place of pure love, if a blind prejudice
usurps the place of Catholic truth, he who informs me of it, though
he had been my enemy (if enemies it is possible for me to have), I
will receive him as an angel from heaven, as