The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-15
LEFT NEW ENGLAND PURITANISM
FOR THE ROMAN CHURCH.,
HIS ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD.
HIS REMARK ABLE CONVERSION IN.
TEREsTINGLY TOLD.
BY THE RIGHT REV. JOHN f. SULLIVAN.
AS GIVEN IN THE WRITINGS OF THE
CONVERT HIMsELE.

The following condensed account of
Rev. George F. Haskins' conversion to
Catholicity is taken from the Weekly
Bouquet, of Boston:
This extraordinary man, who was
born in Boston, April 4, 1906, was firm
adherent of the Protestant Episcopal
church, a student of Harvard University,
and an ordained minister of the above
named denomination. That office he re-
signed into the hands of Bishop Girls
void in January, 1899.
The writer knows OF no more. fitting
way to tell of what led Rev. Mr.. Hasi1ins
to withdraw from the Episcopal min
istry (so-called) than his own words.
which he finds in work entitled
'Glimpses Of the Brotherhood of Char
ity," published in Boston, Mass.
He says: II shall never forget an
old Catholic woman, in Providence, that
shut up my mouth one evening. One Of
her family was a Protestant and a men,
ber of my parish. called to see him,
as was my custom, and began extrolling
the Episcopal church and exhorting him
to frequent the sacraments, but l had
better be a legaue off, for, in the midst
OF most eloquent sentence when talk
ing of apostolic succession and the
bread of life, and the body of our Lord,
ETC., an aged woman, that l had scarce
ly beneld before, who was sitting cn
stool in the chimney corner, lifted up
her trembling voice and gave me such
a terrible dressing that l wished my
self anywhere else.
What, said she, you talk about
apostolic succession! and where is your
succession? Who ordained you and
your bishop and the first bishop of your
church? If the Catholic church, then
you have shown yourselves, by your re-
bellion and ingratitude, the disgrace Of
your mother and unworthy Of her. If
not the Catholic church, then you are
usurpers and impostors, and lead astray
your flocks, and you will have to an
swer for their souls. Sacraments! Where
are your sacraments? Where are
your rights to administer them?" etc..
etc.
II was dumb and could not answer.
1 stammered out something, however,
and retired, and soon after resigned nv
charge and withdrew from the duties of
parish, and, though often solicited,
never accepted another"
1t is related that whilst discharging
his duties as an Episcopal minister,
Rev. Mr.. Haskins was paying daily, or
almost daily, visits to most estlmable
lady-a member of his fock-who was
dangerously i'll. Each time that he ar
rived at the invalid's residence, he was
met at the door by the portress-a
chambermaid-who was Catholic.
With the true instincts Of gentleman,
he always had pleasant and kindly
word Of the lowly young employe in
question. OF her he usually asked how
her mistress was. Soon he discovered
that Miss A. was exceedingly devoted
to her mistress and felt painfully anx-
ious about her. This became more and
more evident to him when, each time
wanted to know what he thought of her
mistress condition. At last, one day, on
being asked as usual he replied: II
am sorry, Miss A., to tell you that your
mistress will be with you a very short
time! She cannot live more than a few
days."
ooh! my!" exclaimed the devoted
girl. Doctor" said she, ''have you
prepared her for good and holy and
happy death?"
"Oh, yes. Miss; l have done all for
her that the church prescrbes in such
cases.
Doctor" asked the grief-strickcn
domestic, "what have you done for her
to prepare her, at this awful hour Of
death?"
In reply the Rev. Mr.. Haskins said:
II spoke to her great deal about
spiritual things-the affairs of the soul
and of eternity. l said many prayers
with her and for her, and sang some
religious hymns"
ooh, Doctor" replied Miss A., "is
that all you did for my dear mistress ="
Eyes, Miss; and l think she is well
prepared and ready to meet her God,
answered he.
''But Doctor, please pardon me for
saying to you that I--ncthing but moor
hired girl-could do all that you did. l
could say prayers with her and for her,
and l have done SO most fervently, he
cause love her dearly. l could speak
to her about spiritual things-loving
God-the goodness of God-and begin
ming sorry for her sins. I could also,
doctor. sing religious hymns for her, and
would be only too glad to sing any ones
she would like to have sung"