The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-18
MRS. HAMERSLHYs CONVERSION.
1t Causes Much Excitement in Fashionable
CircleS-Her Money.

New YORK, April 17.-Much excitement exists
in fashionable circles over the rumor chat the
wealthy widow of the late millionaire, Louis
Hamersley, whose will is now being contested,
had been received recently into the Roman Cath
Ole Church. The conversion is said to have been
effected through the evangelizing influence of the
eminent Monsignor Capel. 1t may now be ac
cepted as a fact that the conversion has taken
place, although the reverend gentlemen of that
church in this city are very reticent concerning
the matter. Monsignor Capel was seen by
q Post-Dispatch correspondent at Mrs.
Louis Havemeyers residence at Thirty
eighth street and Madison avenue, last
evening. Without denying the rumor Mon
signor Capel stated that he regarded the mat
ter a professional secret, and that conversions
coming entirely from God, and a priest being
merely the instrument, he considered any dis
cussioE of them IA sin of as great .%enormity as
the sin of David in numbering his people. He
continued:
when Icame to this. country | came armed
with an extended acquaintance, persons whom l
had known ormet at home. Some were Ameri-
cans who were travelling in England or on tie
continent. Others We're fellows who read with
me, quite regardless of distinction in religion.
NOW suppose III gong ABOUT IN society, II De
came known that | was secretly proselytizing
converts, the doors of my Protestant friends
would be closed against me. Nothing in my life
so anGered me as the circulation of the story,
some time ago, that [ was instrumental in the
conversion of 'Ouida.' Why, it is simply peer
ing into a PERSONS privacy. One might as well
circulate your ways of living, or the little priva-
cles of your home life, and besides the circula-
ton of a conversion is very often premature.
Conversion must be brought about by convic-
ton. and if IL iS Tpfpprp1 IN bafOrp that cODViC-
ton is fixed, the result is often the collapse of
the whole thing"
The right reverend gentleman drifted into q
general discussion of the philosophy of proselyt-
lzlng and converting. He said that through his
laboTs in Italy. France and England, thousands
of converts had been drawn into the church, but
that he had never spoken of them. He has also
effected several conversions in this country.
About ten years ago a movement was instituted
in Catholic circles in England for the publication
of a list of prominent converts, but he strenuous
ly opposed it from the pulpit.
The conversion of a person i'll any circle of
life he said, generally involves a complete up
set of his social relations, and the clergy should
leave the adjustment of those relations entirely
to the convert and not throw difficulties in his
way, but should preserve as a professional Sc
cret all the particulars relating to the CONVEX
SION
Thus, during the entire discussion of the Ham
ersley case, Mgr. Capel took his stand on the
professional secret" the theory of which
course inductively implies the existence
and truth of the very secret which he
wished to preserve concerning the fact of Mrs.
Hamersley's reception into the church. Apron
inent Catholic priest, pastor of a large and fash
lonable parish uptown, while declining to discuss
the matter fully, said that this conversion-,if
it is a fact" he added cautiously-'involves the
dispensation of some 81 600, 600 in charities. "
The rumor reached the ear of the Episcopal
Bishop Potter and other Protestant dignitaries,
who left no stone unturned to avert q movement
on the part Of Mrs. Hamersley which2might ulti-
mately result in the Catholic Church receiving
any benefits of her wealth as the natural conse-
quence of her conversion to that faith. In an
~unguarded moment, however, the Clergyman eX-
claimed: The whole thing would never have
been circulated but for one rash priest in this
diocese" Who that priest was the reporter could
not learn, but he undoubtedly is the clergyman
who otficiated at, or in whose church the baptism
of Mrs. Hamersley was performed Mrs. Ham
ersley1s residence, on Fifth avenue, near Twenty
ninth street, was dark when the reporter called
yesterday, and no person responded to the fire.
quent pulling of the door-ben. Her relatives,
who live in the next house, did not know where
she was.