o schools,
parties, or persons in the Church, Hecker included, so that nothing
within me may hinder the light and direction of the Holy Spirit.

"4. In case any conflict arises concerning what Hecker may have
spoken or written, or any work or movement in which he may be
engaged, to re-examine. If wrong, make him retract at once. If not,
then ask: Is the question of that importance that it requires
defence, and the upsetting of attacks? If not of this importance,
then not to delay and perhaps jeopardize the progress of other works,
and condemn Hecker to simple silence.

"5. In the midst of the imperfections, abuses, scandals, etc., of the
human side of the Church, never to allow myself to think or to
express a word which might seem to place a truth of the Catholic
faith in doubt, or to savor of the spirit of disobedience.

"6. With all this in view, to be the most earnest and ardent friend
of all true progress, and to work with all my might for its promotion
through existing organizations and authorities."

________________________

CHAPTER XXXI

THE VATICAN COUNCIL

IN 1867 Father Hecker visited Europe in company with Father Hewit for
the purpose of opening business relations between The Catholic
Publication Society and English, Irish, and Continental publishers,
as well as to attend the Catholic Congress of Malines held in the
summer of that year. The latter purpose we the chief inducement for
the journey. The Archbishop of New York favored the project of
holding a Catholic Congress in America, and encouraged Father Hecker
to study the proceedings at Malines with this end in view. Their stay
at Malines was full of instruction, as they heard there the renowned
orators, Dupanloup and Montalembert, as well as others of note. The
Catholic Congress of American laymen held in Baltimore a few years
ago, and whose good effects are still felt, would have been assembled
twenty years earlier if Father Hecker could have brought it about.
These meetings were part of his scheme for that moral organization of
Catholic forces which he knew to be so necessary for the fruitful
working of the _official_ unity of the Church.

In the early part of the year 1869 Pius IX. wrote Father Hecker an
autograph letter commending the various religious works which he and
his community were engaged in, especially the Apostolate of the
Press, and giving them all his blessing.

"I have good news to tell you," he wrote to a friend. "The