motives and rectitude of
conscience the following extracts from letters to the Fathers will be
of interest. In September, when the arrow was yet in the wound, he
wrote:

"I have no feelings of resentment against any one of the actors [in
this matter]. On the contrary I could embrace them all with unfeigned
sentiments of love. God has been exceedingly good not to let me be
even tempted in this way."

Again, on December 5:

"Your repeated assurances of being united with me in our future fills
me with consolation and courage. We may well repeat the American
motto, 'United we stand, divided we fall.' Never did I find myself
more sustained by the grace of God. How often I have heard repeated
by acquaintances I have made here: 'Why, Father Hecker, you are the
happiest man in Rome!' Little do they know how many sleepless nights
I have passed, how deeply I have suffered within three months. But
isn't Almighty God good? It seems I never knew or felt before what it
is to be wholly devoted to Him."

On December 9, after a long exposition of the need of a new religious
missionary institute for America:

"Considering our past training, and many other advantages which we
possess, I cannot but believe that God will use us, provided that we
remain faithful to Him, united together as one man, and ready to make
any sacrifice for some such holy enterprise; and my daily prayer is
that the Holy Father may receive a special grace and inspiration to
welcome and bless such a proposition."

With his Christmas greetings he wrote: "From the start I have not
suffered myself to repose a moment when there was anything to be done
which promised help. Whatever may be the result of our affairs, this
consolation will be with me--I did my utmost, and everything just and
honorable, to deserve success. No one would believe how much I have
gone through at Rome, but I do it cheerfully, and sometimes gaily,
because I know it is the will of God."

On February 19, 1858: "The experience I have made here is worth more
than my weight in gold. If God intends to employ us in any important
work in the future, such an experience was absolutely necessary for
us. It is a novitiate on a large scale. I cannot thank God
sufficiently for my having made it thus far without incurring by my
conduct the displeasure or censure of any one."

And a week afterwards: "You should write often, for words of
sympathy, hope, encouragement are much to me now in these trials,
d