The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-10-07
A NOTED CONVERT.
A Bostcnian by Birth, a Graduate
Of Harvard, and Of Old New
ENGLAND Stock.
REV. DR.. JAMES KENT STONE,

Formerly an Episcopalian Pastor
and Now Known as "Father
Fidelis,' the Passionist.
One Of the most celebrated of the
Catholic divines taking part in the
worlds parliament of religions held at
Chicago, in connection with the Colum-
Fbian exposition, was Rev. James Kent
Stone, better known nowadays as Father
Fldelis. the Passionist, who read paper
at the parliament on 1.-THE Principles and
Means of the Religious Reunion OF
Christendom." Father Fide'1s, in select
ing this theme for discussion at Chicago
returned to a topic which prompted the
writing of his first Catholic work, ''The
Invitation Heeded," which told how it's
author, convinced by his studies of the
truth of Catholicity, personally answered
the invitation which the lamented Plus
TX. on the eve of the Vatican council, ex-
tended to all non Catholics to enter the
fold Of the one true Church, and in the
predatory chapter of which book Father
Fidelis, voicing his great desire TO SEQ all
his Protestant friends know tho truth,
wrote this: II was once deceived By the
unreal charms of false prophecies; but
| now the thin mask has been torn away.
I once had only bitter thoughts aud
scornful words for her whose glories ]
had never seen, and to whom did BOT
know that my soul owsd high allegiance;
but now high compassion has lad me to
the feet of my true mother, who Though
all my railing stood patiently and with
fearful love awaiting my return. And in
the joy of the present cannot forget
what now seems the glooms OF the past.
Ishave been brought lnto the fragrant
garden. and I think OF the very wilder
ness I have drank of the flowing foun-
tain, and I rememb Der the broken cisterne
over which once labored-
The toll
Ofdropping buckets into empty wells,
AND growing old in drawing nothing up
Therefore am fain to look back and call
to those whom I have LETT behind
The Passionist priest who spoke before
q Chicago audience on the ways and prin-
ciples which, in his estimation, are best
calculated to bring about the union Of
all Christendom in one faith is now in
the prime of his life and vigor, says a
writer in The Republic. A Bostonian by
birth, he comee Of what is considered
good old New England stock, and his
father, who was an Episcopalian minister,
had charge for many years of a church Of
his denomination in the classic city of
Cambridge. The son, born in 1910, after
making his preparatory studies, entered
Harvard University in 1856, and grad
uated therefrom with honors four years
subsequently. After quitting the Cam
bridge institution he studied for two
years abroad, at Gottingen and in Italy,
and returning to his native land, his pa
triotism impelled him to volunteer for
the defense of the Union. He served In
the army for six months, when he was
compelled by wounds to relinquish the
field; and after his recovery he sought
and obtained professorship of Latin at
Kenyon College, out in Ohio. He entered
the army as private soldier, but won
the rank of captain by his bra, cry, and
before taking bis professional chair at
Kenyon College he was ordained to the
Episcopalian ministry, in which position
he has said Of himself: II defended the
Anglican reformation with all my soul.
I did so upon what called high ground,
id company with such sturdy Catholics (eo
I termed them) as Andrewes, and Bull
and Hammond. I threw myself back
upon the primitive church. and upheld
the doctrinal standards Of the Anglican
communion as faithfully reproducing the
uncorrupted model. 1 loved this re-
formed church, both in succession and
creed, and not knowing an older and
better. gave her all my devotion (my
eyes being blinded) as the mother and
mistress of my soul; and hoped to die,
as Bishop Ken declared that he died, in
the holy Catholic and apostolical faith
professed by the whole church before the
disunion of the East and West-more
particularly in the communion of the
church OF England, as it stands distin-
guished from all Papal and Puritan inno-
vation, and as it adheres to the doctrine
Of the cross.'"
At Kenyon Father Fidelis quilted the
Latin chair in 1867, to assume that of
mathematics, and he was also chosen
president Of the college. The following
year, however, he Quilted Gambler, the
Ohio town il which Kenyon College is
situated. and went to Geneva, n. =, to