The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-02-18
REV. GEO. FOXcROFT HASKINS
His Ancestors Among the First
New England Puritans.
A VERY REMARKABLE CAREER
Lectures Against Catholicity by
DR.. Lyman Beecher.

The following iteresting sketch of Rev,
F'r. liaskins, Il noted convert to Catholi-
city, is contributed by Henry Coyle to
The Weekly Bouquet" published by
that excellent institution. the House Of
the Angel Guardian, Boston:
When a philosopher was asked how he
gauged a man. he replied, "By the abil-
ity of his soul to estimate and use those
eraces from God Himself-l1ove and
Charity. Whoever" said he, "s truest
to these virtucs-into whose life they
enter the most largely, and hold most
exclusive sway, he is the greatest man."
What a sublime standard by which to
measure Il man. and yet how just
'Tis but a little thing
TO give Il cup of water. yet its draught
or cold rGfrcshment, drained by fcvered
lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to tho
frame.
More exquisite than when ncctarian
juice
Rcnews the life Of joy in happicst hours.
1t is a little thing to speak il phrase
or common comfort, which by daily uso
Has almost lost its sense: yet on the ear
or him who thought to die unmonrned
twill fall
Like choicest music"
Love and charity were the watchworls
OF the subject of this sketch. Gcorpa
foXcroft llaskins was born in Boston.
April 4lh, 1906. His ancestors had been
among the first settlers of New England
and thcy had always been members of
the Episcopal church
HIS carly years wrrc uncvcntful. ho
attended the private school of Mosters
Webb and Payson and later entered tho
Boston Latin School, which was nj that
time on School street. During his first
year ut school he had a teacher who was
Strlrl diaipl'carnn. and he never
spared the rod, Tho boy conceived such
hatred of logging that it lasted
through life, and in after years, when his
word carried weight he protested yipor-
onsly against this cruel practice.
When he was but sixteen years Old
young lIaskins entered Harvard college.
He was diligcnt and earnest student
and after gaining many honors, he grad
untca in 1876. 1t was his intention to
enter the church. and he at once began
the study of theology under the direction
of the Rcvs. AlOnZo Potter and George
w. Doanc. both OF whom were after
wards distinguished Protestant Episco-
pal bishops.
A famous preacher OF those days, Dr.
Lyman Beccher came to Boston about
this time, and delivered series of lcc-
lures against the Catholic Church. Mr..
Ilaskns, with a friend, attended the lec-
turcs, but with characteristic fairness,
he wished to study the question out for
himself. and with the object In view, he
attended another course delivered by
Right Rev. Bishop Fcnwirk and Doctor
tlahcrty both eloquent men, and we'll
grounded in the teachings of the Faith.
In later days he confessed that he was
more impressed with the arguments Of
the Bishop and the Doctor, than he was
with the gliltering platitudcs of DR..
Bccchcr, and in Gods own time the seed
bore good fruit.
Mr.. Iiaslins was appointed chaplain
to the House of Industry in Boston, he
having been previously ordained a dca-
con of the Episcopal Church. by Bishop
GrisWold. Another striking example Of
the way God leads His own to the light
is seen in the acquaintance lie formed
at this time with Father Wiley, then q
curatc at the old Cathedral on Franklin
street.
There was In the House of Industry
poor old Irish woman writes a friend
of Father EIaskins, "who seeing her end
approaching begged for Catholic
priest. The superintendent answered
the poor creatures request in these
words. oh! III send You u priest as
good as any of your Catholic priests
and he sent her the chaplain.
"Mr Hasliinb went to the dying wom-
an, who repeated to him her wish to see
a Catholic priest before she died The
earnest manner in which she proffered
her request moved his heart and he said
to her, You shall have a priest I'll go
for him myself
"He Immediately went to the priests
house in Franklin street. saw Father
Wiley, told him his errand, and that he
was Protestant minister. The conver-
sation which followed this announce
mcnt induced MI Haskins to remark
to a Protestant friend whom he met on
Ic.,,4:.uol M, 1,sra ~