are in the hands of God. I hope no one will feel
discouraged, nor fear for me. All that is needed to bring the
interests of God to a successful issue is grace, grace, grace; and
this is obtained by prayer. And if the American Fathers will only
pray and get others to pray, and not let any one have the slightest
reason to bring a word against them in our present crisis, God will
be with us and help us, and Our Lady will take good care of us. So
far no step taken in our past need be regretted. If it were to be
done again it would have my consent. The blow given to me I have
endeavored to receive with humility and in view of God. It has not
produced any trouble in my soul, nor made me waver in the slightest
degree in my confidence in God or my duty towards Him. Let us not be
impatient. God is with us and will lead us if we confide in Him."

During his stay in Rome he corresponded regularly with his brother
George, whose ever-open purse paid all his expenses. We have also
found a very long letter of loving friendship from Doctor Brownson,
conveying the profoundest sympathy. This came during the most
critical period of the case and gave much consolation. It called
forth an answer equally affectionate.

He received exceedingly sympathetic letters from Fathers de Held and
de Buggenoms. The former was at the time rector of the house in
Liege, and wrote a letter to Cardinal Barnabo, a copy of which has
been preserved, which treats most favorably of Father Hecker's
character and discusses his case at length, petitioning a decision
which should reinstate him in the order.

Late in November he sought an interview with Cardinal Reisach,
holding him closely interested for two hours, conversing upon
American religious prospects and quite winning his friendship. By
means of such interviews, which, at Cardinal Barnabo's suggestion, he
sought with the chief prelates in Rome, he became widely known in the
city, and the state of religion in America was made a common topic of
conversation.

The following introduces a singular phase in the case. It is from a
letter written before the end of September, less than a month after
his arrival:

"My leisure moments are occupied in writing an article on the
'Present Condition and Future Prospects of the Catholic Faith in the
United States,' for the _Civilta Cattolica._ They have promised to
translate and publish it."

The _Civilta_ is still a leading Catholic journal, the foremost
exponent