National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-04-05
CONVERTS TO THE CATHOLIC cHURcB.

CONVERTS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCF.
Referring to the annual combinations at
this time by the Most Rev. Archbishop Bayley,
himself convert, we are led to believe it would
be an interesting study to ascertain from what
denominations of protesting Christians the
large number of converts to the Catholic
Church in this country have been received.
The charge has frequently been made that the
Protestant Episcopal, being so nearly allied to
the Catholic Church, furnishes the greatest
percentage. This, however, is q mistake.
The fact that in the Protestant Episcopal
Church the broadcast latitude is given to all
schools of thought, from the ultra low church
man to the extreme ritualist, affords reason
able presumption that a majority of converts
would not be from this source. Statistics will
sustain this presumption and demonstrate that
the various Protestant denominations each fur
nish at least as many, if not more, converts
than the Protestant Episcopal Church Re-
gardless, however, Of the source whence they
come, the fact that they are very numerous is
none the less significant.
AS impartial judges of passing events we
may doubtless discover to some extent the
cause of this in the persecution of the Catholic
Church, since men, heretofore ignorant or
listless respecting her doctrines or alleged au-
thority, are almost unconsciously led to study
her history and examine her claims. Catho-
lies believe that when Protestant, putting
away his prejudices, is willing to inspect the
ground of Catholic faith, the conversion of
that man is more than half secured. The
cause of increased interest and conversion,
however, is not solely external. From the
Church itself There is an influence which COM
mands the respect, If it does not obtain the
love and loyalty, Of Christians in every denom-
ination. So true is this that doubtless no respect
able publisher in the land could now be in
duced to purchase the manuscript of such a
work as the Escaped Nun" The day for
catch-penny literature of this character is hap
ply passed. From the pulpit and press, where
only few years ago the most bitter language
was used respecting the Catholic Church, now
a digni1ed silence or words of feeble praise
prevail. The more thoughtful Protestants
smypathize with the Church in her present
prosecutions, because they see that it is not
Rome merely that is attacked, but Christianity
itself. In conclusion we give an extract from
a sermon recently delivered in the Presbyte-
rian church at Oakland, California, by the
Rev. Mr.. Hamilton, as illustrating the change
in public sentiment.
but we are compelled to own that this old
Mother Church shows an astonishing vitality
More than half Of Christendom still bows at her
affairs. The common people cling to her robes
Through pitiless storms that leave the seats in
our Protestant sanctusries nearly vacant we see
them crowding to our worship, morning, noon and
night. Wherever q few Of her children make
their homes, q GROSS surmounted church Will soon
be seen. She builds wisely to meet conVeniences
H. HNT1tNN TTTr fhakN
culture wherever wealth creates such taste TO
be pleased. And her people pay for her churches,
Her missionaries are also croWding to every
heathen country, and among the great poPula-
by scores for every one that Protestants can
count as the fruits Of their labors. No degree of
possible selEsacrlfce demanded by their work
Wherever she gains foothold she speedily erects
the university, the college and the seminary, as
well as the church, and wins Thousands Of the sons
and daughters Of other religions, and even OF
ProtestantsI BY the superior appliances with
which she furnishes them. And close by the side
of her school and church you will soon see her
asylum for indulgence and misfortune spring up,
she Is also gentle and tireless nurse Of human
pain Where the pestilence moWs fits deadliest
swarth of buman lives, there you will see her
Sisters of Mercy and father coniessors, never
shrinking from the touch Of the plague, and
meyer leaving the field or RENTING their minis
tries Of care, till the scourge departs or death
discharges them. And many good priest has
eviLced his sincerity, as we'll as bis courage, by
gOirg into the battlefield where death fell the
Lbickest, that he might give the comforts and
hopes Of his religion to the dying.
I'VE sometimes hear 1t said that the Whole
system Of Romanism is she'll without heart,
substance or spiritual life, that the masses are
know It is hollow. We shall never deal wisely
with the evils IN any great power which millions
Of human hearts love and trust, and ind comfort