The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-12
REV. MR.. BRADLEY INTERVIEWED.
What His Intentions for the Future Are-some
Him-Mr. Rufus Hatch Contradioted-
Bishop Pottcr's Letter Endorsing
Father Bradley's Mission.

Father Bradleys Mission.
the public, both Protestant and Catholic have
shown so much anxiety to learn something about
the future of the Rev. Joshua Dodgson Bradley the
latest clerical convert to the Catholic Church, tnat
HERALD reporter was to interview the reverend
gentleman. The reporter was received In the most
courteous and gentlemanly manner. Father Brad
ley is q mldde-sized, rather handsome gentleman
about twenty nine years Old. His features are well
cut and regular while his long faxen hair strongly
procaims his Saxon origin. his Ia q favorable type
OF the well bred, educated English gentleman.
In reply to an inquiry as to whether he had
formed any intentions about his future course in
life, Mr.. Bradley repiied:'T do not know II 1 ought
to answe r any questions connected with my past
life my Intentions with regard to the future, espe-
claly as you intend to publish them. IT, however,
thought that my answers would in any way benefit
the cause of truth l should be glad to answer your
questions"
The reporter assured him that his answers could
possibly do no harm, and would In all probability
do much good
Mr. BRADLEY-wel 1 shall be happy to answer
your questions
REP0RTER-As many persons interested in
your future, may ask you II you have decided to
become Catholic priest or remain a simple men,
Der OF the Church OF your ad0ptOn9
Mr.. BRADLEY-I intend to enter Catholic semi
nary, and after proper training, II found worthy,
desire TO become q Catholic priest.
REPORTER-Have you any reason to suppose that
your 1ock, or any portion OF It, will be far nhu.
enced ny your example to follow you into the fold
OF CatnOlicltyf
Mr. BRADLEY-That is rather a delicate question.
However, do not violate any confidence by telling
you that know Of some who are making the neces-
sary preparations for admission into the Catholic
Church. There are many others, who, though they
have not as yet seen the light, WILL have reason to
believe, sooner or later see 1t as nave done, and
eventually join the Church.
REPoRrER-By what authority did you oflciate as
o clergyman In this countayP
Mr. BRADLEY Il shall read for you the on1clal let
ter in which Bishop Potter gave me clerical facul-
ties and endorsed the mission was about to estab-
lish:
The Rev. Joshua Dodgson Bradley having design
to set on foot q mission among The poor in the
part Of as city, mpore the blessing Of
mend him to the sympathy ana support OF our
oA' ''''' h0R A.i POTTER, Bishop Of New York.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. !, 1869.
REPORTER-Have you seen a statement said to
nave been made by Mr.. Rufus Hatch to reporter
Of morning paperf
Mr.. BRADLEY-Yes.
REPORTER-Mr. Rufus Hatch says that you were
forbidden by Bishop Potter to olclate on the SUM-
day you preached your farewell sermon. and that
you "went through the performance notwith-
standing"
Mr.. BRADLEy-The fact is Bishop Potter was in
formed several days before or my determination to
JOIN the Catholic Church. and on the previous
wednesday tJan. I'D gave me express permission to
preach a farewell Sermon stating my reasons for
Withdrawing from the Protestant Episcopal Church.
This thought the proper and manly thing to do,
and due, In courtesy, to my friends and the
members OF my congregation. This permission
u, at halfpast nine O'Clock A. NJ, at me
same time Withdrawing my license, and, Of course,
have on my obedience. therefore felt perfectly
justified In explaining to my nock the Conscientious
with them and bidding them farewell. There was
mass, II that Is what Mr.. Hatch means by ''per-
torrance, nor had there been all the week pre-
REroRrER-In the morning paper alluded to the
ing queston:-"Did Bradley not wish to leave2"
and Mr.. Hatch is said to have answered-"He
would not have left, but the Bishop sIenced him.
AS as Brown and NOyes get letters they Will 70
over too" Is IL true that you lett the OratOry OF ST
sacrament and the communion Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church and Joined that OF the Catholic
Church because you were silenced by Bishop Potter
and only Tor thas reasOnY
Mr.. BRADLEY-Wny, my dear sir, 1t is an unmlti-
gated alsehood and the very reverse OF truth. The
TACT Is That when, purely from CONSCIENTIOUS convic
personal feelings and attachments, / had deter.
mined TO seek admission into the Catholic Church
and Bishop Potter had been informed OF my deter.
mination, he did what he could induce me to re-
consider It, He even sent an eminent theOoglan OF
the Protestant Episcopal church 70 argue with me
and endeavOr TO shake my resOuti0n and in the In
terview which had shortly afterwards with the
Bishop-namely on the Wednesday have already
menttoned-he expressed the klndest feelings to-
wards me personally and the keenest regret at the
step had determined to take. 1t was only an hour
eeSeS e sfss scpSs R sermon re-
REroRrER DID the Bishop approve Of your acts
MIR. BaADLEY-iishop Potter always tfeated me
with courtesy AID Kindness He required some
notifications or the ritual not only az the orat6ry
oil ST. Sacramen.l but at the other ritualisac
churches; and as Ear as am concerned, Always
yielded 10 his wishes without rem0nstrance hesl-
tation
REPoRTBR-Did you not find It difficult to sub.
scribe to the doctrine OF salvation 1t is supposed
10 be taught by the Catholic Church2
MIR. BRADLEY-No, did not In subscribing to the
G oo as II Is really taught by the Catholic
that there is such a thing as invincibie. ana con.
sequenlly excusaole ignorance; and that those who
o Of sSS a q truths which are articles
As Dr. McGynn very lucldly explained In MS ser.
mon on tue occasion OF my reception into The Oath
ole Church, person may Delong to the sou and
not TO the body OF the true church. But II any man
shall wully smut MS eyes to the light when God
obligation OF PRAYING for the light, ne is culpabIe,
although ne can truly say ne is Ignorant It is not
know. He must be able to say. "Under the the err err.
cumstances could not be expected to knowv I
nave ucNef iouuu uiuCulby ABOUT tniS doctrine.
j am personally acquainted with several good.
pious souls outside tile pale OF the Catholic
Church. who firmly believe that they possess the
full deposit OF the faitn and who are willing, with
reaGy and grateful hearts, to become members OF
the Catholic Church as soon they are convinced
that IL IL the only true Cnurcn 1 cannot for mo-
ment believe That n they anxiously desiring the full
truth aud nrmly believing ypat they possess 1t,
should be called to their last account they would
meet with an angry and not merclful judge
REPoRTER-May ask you for q brief sketch of
your clerical lie IN England and IN this country
Mr.. BRADLEY-it has been q snort but not I'M
evcniful one. / graduated ~ Pembroke College,