The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-12-23
Professionalism Breaking Up and
Hopelessly Divided.
IMPELLED TO SEEK TRUE MANHOOD
Searched Many Isms for the
Fatherhood of God.

Hon. Henry C. Dillon, the eminent
California jurist, recently read paper
before the Newman Club on the subject
"Why Became Il Catholic" saying in
part:
In answering the question, "Why l
Became a Catholic?' am painfully
aware Of the fact that am dealing with
a personal matter, likely to be misun-
derstood and apt to provoke criticism.
1t would have been rash to have an
swcrcd this question sooner. To answer
it now, i'll the second year Of my novi-
tlatc, after mature thought, constant
study OF the doctrines OF the Churcl,
and some experience in her life, the
answer may, | hope have some weight.
When Protestant, free thinker, an
intidcl, il you please after having ar
rived at the age OF so years, and being
i'll the full possession OF his faculties
faces about, rccants his past convictions
and adopts the "crcdo" OF the Catholic
"a like respect for his old companions
in thought requires that he should give
good and sufficient reasons therefor
| All conversions are the direct result OF
the interposition of the Holy Spirit.
Not even the great apostle OF the Gen
tiles attempted TO formulate his theo-
logical reasons for his change Of faith
until long after the light Of heaven fell
upon him, and time had been given for
mature study and reflection.
In attempting to account for such a
conversion upon rational grounds, one
may say it resulted from the law OF
lncrcdity. His patcrnal ancestors were
Irish Catholics He is "a chip OF the
old block" Like has produced like.
No doubt there is some truth in that
statement. There is law called hered
ity, and our actions are somewhat
shaped by it, but it does not govern
Our beliefs. II it did, there would have
been no such thing as Protcstantism,
and Martin Luther would have remain
cd monk. A politician might account
for it upon the theory that the convert
was angling for the Catholic vote. But
if the convert was not then, and is not
now, in politics, studiously keeps out,
and attends strictly to business, such a
theory must be abandoned. Moreover,
the man who expects to get into office
in Our day on the strength Of his Catho-
licity, will "cool his heels long time
in the antc-cllambcrs Of the nominating
convention. The Catholic vote is very
desirable thing to have, but Catholic
candidates are not wanted.
I have advanced the belief that it is
Gods Holy Spirit working in the hearts
of men, and not argument, which con-
vinccs and converts. A great sorrow,
revcrses OF fortune, sickness, the prayers
OF devout mother or devoted friend
Qike my good Father Tabb), the con-
temptation of good works and good
examples by faithful servants Of Cod
all or any OF these are sufficient to arrest
attention and turn the mind Godward,
especially when the prayer, "Thy King
dom Come" is ever on the lips and the
heart is ycarning for that peace which
passes understanding.
Fortunately for me, was educated in
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
in the highest wing of it. We called
ourselves Anglican Catholics. In the
creed we declared our belief in the
Holy Catholic Church." even while
the word protestant" stared at us from
the nyleaf OF the prayer book A love
OF consistency, the exercise of the Prot
cstant right Of private judgment, to-
gcther with the dogmas OF science, false
ly so called, led me away from that ex-
ccllcnt communion of dcvout men and
women, and caused me much sorrow at
the parting. This right of private judg-
mcnt, with particular references to the
Interpretation OF the Scriptures, led me
to agnosticism; to Unitarianism, to the
very opposite pole OF Catholicism. The
antidote and corrective was found in
the study and practice of the law. This
led me to see how confusing and de-
structive such a doctrine would be if
applied to the law. Without court of
last resort to interpret the law, it was
easy to see how anarchy would prevail.
When man becomes his own inter-
prefer, authority of the government
ceases.
Following this train Of thought. it