The Irish standard., 1899-02-18
A NOTED CONVERT
Continued From Page IL


leaving the house, that he would exam
inc for himself certain things in Protes-
tantism to which Father Wiley referred;
and from that day his mind was bent on
finding the truth.
THE old woman was visited by Father
Wiley, and received the sacraments.
When she saw the Protestant chaplain
again, she raised up her poor weak
hands, and with fearful eyes. cried out,
God bless you, sir! o, God bless you and
may you be Catholic before you de-
1t is true, little things make up the
sum of human existence. Countless
grains of sand form barrier against
the ocean; crystal drops compose the
vast extent of water which covers near
ly three-fourths of the globe. Words
are among the little things" which de-
termine our influence for good or i'll.
The poor pauper's dying prayer
assembled to heaven, and that 1t was an
swered, who can deny?
Mr.. Haskins soon after resigned as
chaplain of the House of Industry, and
after receiving priests ORDERS" accord
ing to the Episcopal ritual, by Bishop
Griswold he accepted call as rector of
Grace Church. Mr. Haskins, who was
always greatly attached to children, en-
deavored to convert the little Irish boys
of the North end.
He invited them to his house and
sought to win them over by promises of
candy and toys, and while amusing
them, he artfully introduced Bible les
sons, believing that the end justified the
means
The game worked we'll enough in
WINTER he used to say. but as soon as
the fine weather came the birds flew
away. When the boys were asked why
they no longer came they would answer,
HE is only d Protestant minister;
why should we listen to hint"
He remained at Grace Church but a
short time and resgning his position.
he went TO Providence, and accepted a
and labored earnestly, and his ministry
was crowned with success. but he was
tormented constantly by doubt and mis-
givings.
A little unseen rill Of sparkling water
creeping along through the grass will
make a green strip like velvet wherever
1t goes. The far off stars, whose light
has to travel long thousands OF years
and across a multitude of adverse cur
rents to reach us. every evening helps
to give light to the world Of darkness
below, and guides the ship at sea- as we'll
as the wandercr on the plains.
A little incident happened at this time,
which impressed and tortured his dis
the chain drawing him away from error.
II shall never forget says he, IAN
old Catholic woman in Providence that
shut up my mouth one evening. One
of her family was a Protestant. and a
member of my parish. l called to see
him, as was my custom. and began to
extol the Episcopal Church and exhort-
ed him to frequent the sacrament. but
| had better have been a league off. for
in the midst of most eloquent SEN
tence when talking of Apostolic Success
sion, and the Bread Of Life, and the
Body of Our Lord, an aged woman, that
had scarcely observed before. who was
sitting on a stool in the chimney corner,
lifted up her trembling voice, and gave
me such terrible dressing that l wished
myself anywhere else.
"'What,' said she, You talk OF Apos-
tolic succession! and where Is your sue
cession? 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 you deceive
and lead astlay your flocks and you will
have to answer for their souls. Sacra-
ments! Where are your Sacramento
Where is your right to administer them ?
The old lady's logic was sound. and he
left the house overcome with mingled
feelings OF shame and despair. He re-
signed his parish, and retired from the
ministry, determined to seek the truth,
and to he no longer Il false teacher
Soon after this he left Providence, and
returned to Boston. having called mean
while on Father Wiley. who was then
stationed at Taunton, Mass. and the
good priest patiently answered his ques-
lions, and instructed him In the truths
Of our religion.
Mr.. Haskins was next appointed as
chaplain to the House of Reformation
and in 1887 he was unanimously elected
Superintendent of the institution. In
January, 1899, he surrendered his min
istry in the Protestant Church into the
hands of Bishop Griswold, and in the
following year, he resigned his office and
renowned Professionalism.
TO do this required great courage but
Mr.. Haskins believed that "it is an ex-
cellent thing to know what to believe
and what to disbelieve; 1t is angelic to
know what to do, and what to refrain
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