The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-02-17
DR.. DE- cosTA:1s COMING

"A Az SOMANO
Will, Lecture at Lyceum Theatre on
March IS.
That distinguished convert to Ca
tholicity, Dr. Benjamin F. De Costa,
OF New York, will lecture at the Ly-
ceum Theater in Minneapolis on Tues
day evening, March IS, on the interest
ing subject "Why Became a Cath
Ole" DR.. De Costa is an eminent
scholar, historian and litterateur who is
in great demand as platform lecturer
since his remuneration of Professionalism
few months ago. He is an accom-
plishcd orator who has attracted large
audiences in the leading cities of the
East, and this being his first appear
ance in the West he is sure to be greet
ed by an immense gathering in Mime
apolis. 1t was after mature reflection
and from conscientious motives that he
resigned the pastorate of wealthy
Episcopal church in New York No
event in ecclesiastical circles in many
years elected such widespread COM
mcnts from press and pulpit in all parts
OF the United States as the entry of
DR.. De Costa into the Catholic church.
Like all famous converts to Catholicity,
he has nothing but kind words for
Protestants OF every denomination, but
especially OF the Episcopal communion
OF. which he was shining light. The
people of Minneapolis owe Rev. ]. ].
Keane, Of the Immaculate Conception,
deep debt OF gratitude for bringing
DR.. De Costa to this city. 1t will be a
grand treat to hear this learned theo-
Logan and scholar give reasons for his
change of faith in manner inoffensive
to the most sensitive Protestants. The
Catholics throughout the city will have
an opportunity of listening to man
who has sacrificed great deal for COLI
science sake. The fact that man of
such cminencc as Dr.. De Costa has
joined the Catholic church and aban-
doned the church that honored and re-
spected him speaks volumes for Cath
olic belief. He will eloquently explain
why he took such step, and in COM
plinent to him the Catholics of the en-
tire city should turn out and give him
an ovation. The Freeman's Journal, of
New York, edited by the great contro-
versialist, Rev. DR.. Lambert, gives the
following interesting sketch of this dis
tinguished man:
He is remotely descendant of an
old French Catholic family, but his
more immediate ancestors were Hugue-
nots, who settled i'll Boston several
generations since. He took early to
literature, writing for the Charleston
Advertiser, owned by his brother Will
liam Hickling De Costa. For full
twenty years he was constant writer
for that paper. After leaving the pub
lie schools, he spent seven years in
for the Episcopal ministry
He served as rector OF St. Johns
church, North Adams, Mass, and St.
Mary's Newton, Tower Falls, Mass.
He passed thence to the army as chap
lain to the Fifth and Eighteenth Mas
sacllusetts regiments.
In 1868 he became editor of the
Christian Times, an Episcopal journal
Of New York, and afterwards of the
Episcopalian and the Protestant
Churchman. Later, he wrote in all
departments of the Churchman. He
devoted some years to travel and
study in Europe. For long while he
and lectured in connection
with literary work, which included the
editing of the Magazine of American
History. In 1881, he became rector of
St. John the Evangelist, and took
prominent part in all progressive work.
He is charter member of the Hugue-
not Society and one of the editors of its
first volume of publications. He was
also the first president of the Church
Association for the Advancement of
The Interests of Labor. With Bishop
Potter he inaugurated the Church Tenn
oerance Society and was its first secre-
tary. He was the American founder
and president OF the White Cross So
ciety and the first mover in the Burial
Reform Association. He is one of the
chaplains of the Grand Army of the
Republic. His life has proved 1abori-
ous, and the last twenty years have
constant struggles with skep-
:ical tendencies of the Episcopalians.
In the midst of all his cares he mani
Tested an unfailing devotion to liberal
studies and pursuits, and the printed
catalogue of his works shows an un-
usual variety. To carry on his studies
he has worked much among the orr
ginal sources in the libraries of Europe,
the Vatican. His work on
THE Pre-Columbian Discovery of
by the Northmen," was re-
published at the end. of fifteen years.