The Irish standard., 1906-06-09

was acquainted with the writings of
the liberal theologians. And he chung
to Tractarianism, refusing to follow
Newman on his via crucis.
In 1882 Archdeacon Froude went to
the South Of France with his ailing
son, Hurrell, and his friend John Henry
Newman. 1t was on that trip that the
latter composed Lead, Kindly Light"
He returned to England, to Oxford,
and heard Keble preach his historically
celebrated sermon in the university
pulpit. 1t was published. bearing the
title of National Apostasy." That Ju-
ly IA, 1885, Newman ever afterward
held as the true start of the religious
movement. Newman wrote the first
tract, Thoughts on the Ministerial
Commission" The bill for the suppress
sion of the Irish sees was in prog
ress and the souls of these young d.
vines ragged against the liberals. The
series of tracts began September 9 and
lasted until the feast of the Conversion
of st. Paul, 1871.
England was aghast at the lombard
ment of tracts, and there We're hard
words flung at the audacious REFORM
ers. Newman's sermons in st. Ma:y's
became a rallying point Tor all the fer
vid and impressionable youth of Ok
ford. AS a pulpit orator he has been
described by Principal Sharp. Simple
and unostentious was the service at st.
Mary's when Newman was the preach
err says Sharp. No pomp. no rit-
ualism. nothing but the silver intona-
tons Of Newmau's magic voice. His
delivery has this pecularity-each SEN
tence was spoken rapidly, but with
great clearness of intonation, and then
at the close of every sentence there was
pause that lasted for several Sec
onds."
Then another rapidly but clearly
spoken sentence, followed by another
pause, till a wonderful spell took hold
of the nearer. The look and bearing
of the preacher We're as of one who
dwelt apart and, who though he knew
his age well, did not live in his age.
From his seclusion of study and absti-
nence and prayer, from habitual dwell
ing in the unseen, he seemed to come
forth that one day of the week to speak
to others of the things he had seen
and known in secret. AS he spake
how all the old truths became new!
How they came home with a meaning
never felt before! The subtlest of
truths were dropped out as by the way
in Il sentence or two of the most trans
parent Saxon. What delicacy of style,
yet what grand power! How gentle,
yet how strong! How simple, yet how
suggestive! How homely, yet how re-
fined! How penetrating, yet how ten
der-hearted! And the tone of voice
in which all this was spoken sounded
to you like Il strain of unearthly mu-
sic" Dean Church once wrote that DIR.
Newman's sermons stand by them
selves in modern English literature; it
might be said, in English literature
generally"
James Anthony Froude, brilliant and
prejudiced, often clouding historic facts
and religious issues, has left a finely
etched portrait of Newman at this time
His appearance was striking. He was
above middle height slight and spare.
His head was large, his face remark
ably like that of julius Caesar. The
forehead, the shape of the ears and nose
were almost the same. 1 have often
thought of the resemblance and be-
lieved that 1t extended to the tenn
permanent In both there was an orlgi-
nal fore of character which refused
to be moulded by circumstances. which
was to make its own way, and become
Il power in the world: q clearness of
Intellectual perception, disdain for
conventionalities, a temper imperious
and wilful, but always with 1t a most
attaching gentleness. sweetness single
mind was world wide. $50 His natural
temperament was bright and light. t*+
a sermon from Newman was a poem"
The above was written in 1881 after
the smoke Of the conflict had cleared
away and by a man who can hardly be
called q friend of Newman, as we shall
presently see, It is well to quote the
testimony of Newman's adversaries.
The Trend Of Romanisr,.
No one. then. ever doubted his SUI
perior intellect except Thomas Carlyle.
Years before Newman entered the
fold Of the Roman Catholic
faith there We're predictions that
he was drifting Romeward He
has said that from the end Of 1871 !
was on my deathbed with the Anglican
Church" At Littlemore, a retreat for
prayer and study, called by Whyte, 20
sort Of midway house between oxford
and Rome" Newman wrote a brief let
ter to his beloved sister Jemima, telling
her of his intention to go over to Rome.
He left Oxford forever February %,
1876.
What had happened to the soul of
John Henry Newman? Newman for