The Washington herald., 1909-03-22
CONVERT ARDENTLY
EXTOLS HIS FAITH
Catholic Priest Tells Of His
New Light.
ONCE EpIscoPALIAN MINISTER
Rev Father DOran Addresses Huge
Congregation in the shrine OF the
sacred Heart Last Evening-Re-
Iates Basis of His Faith in the
Roman Catholic Church.

A convert to Catholicism spoke with
profound ardor IN the Shrine OF the Sa-
cred Heart last evening. lie told Of the
faith he had espoused. the manner Of doc
trine he had taken. after long period
Of Christian stewardship in other fields
Hundreds stormed the doors 10 hear his
story, but were thrown back from an edi-
fee already packed beyond capacity.
The convert was Rev. Father Alvah
Doran. former thigh church" Episco-
palian and now, by seif-conversion. a
member Of the Catholic priesthood In
the latter field he declares he has found
peace Of mind" and the "one united
church" which Is the promise Of the
Scriptures.
The scene was worthy Of his elOqUence.
The shrine was ablaze with white and
gold. the richly embroidered altar cloth
glowed brilliantly In the fickering flame
OF the candlesticks. and the large silver
cross pendant on the priests breast fairly
dazzled against the somber background
OF the cleric's cassOck. Every wave OF
the sable-clad arm was sharply accen-
tuated against the brilllance OF the altar
ligats. and the priest, IN hts zeal and FIRE.
was not chary Of the emphasizing gesture.
spoke TO NOn-CatboIies.
Al times applause would have rung out
were 81 not banned as desecration OF the
sanctuary. There were great many
non-Catholics present. To these. largely.
were the glowing phrases OF the prOseIyt-
ing priest directed. He spoke as an evan
gelist
Il believe with all my soul. with all
that IN me is" declared the priest. that
this Is the one church which is prophe-
sled in the Bible Test IL by all the
requirements Of religion. test Il By
/ all the requirements Of a church. and
| by that test see II there is one church
/ 20 be called the church OF God II this
/ is not the one. There are 10 denOmina-
lions in this country. representing all
| sorts and conditions Of creeds but how
many among them have really convinced
/ themselves that they constitute the
church OF God? ! find the authority OF
the Scripture for the Catholic Church; I
I find the authority OF my conviction.
The shifting sands Of Protestant doc
trines are proof Of their ephcmeraI char
\ acter The Episcopal Church is now de-
ranged and disOrEanized 7 say this with
/ fuH knowledge. as was recently mem
L Der Of its clergy. and know how uncer-
! tain IS the footing. There are various
kinds OF Episcopalians and q man may
stand almost where he pleases. The
! high church" EpisCopalianS are imitat-
/ ing the Catholic ritual more and more;
I but all men know how pale the COPY is.
The Tow church EpiscOpalisu Is far
apart from hts brethren. 7 was quietly
invited 20 leave one low church con-
| Eregation when I showed leanings in
the opposite direction
Catholics Not Conflicting.
In the Catholic Church all priests
preach the same gospel. al men believe
the same faith. and all are at peace
with themselves and the world There
is no pulling against one another. There
are no conflicting creeds. There IS a
central authority. 10 which We all bow
as 20 the vicar Of Christ.
The Catholic Church has never com.
promised with the smiling and Ieerine
world. Its history may be traced bach
10 the beginnings without finding any
taint OF this sort. King Henry VIII o,
England found the Pope adamant wher
ne sought divorce. The church deal
with him as with the humblest OF il,
communicants. II denied him the priv
iege he asked. Therefore he left IL Bu
no pressure at his command could hav,
made the church serve his whim. O
how many other churches can you say
as mUch2 How many are absolutely I'M
mune 70 all worldly infuence2
II delved into the historical authority
for confession. on the advice OF friends
and found il. That was convincing evi
dence; for n il existed IN the earl
church, springing from the apostles
surely we are perforce compelled 20 US
Ii now. At first ] challenged the suprem
aCy Of the Pope, but I found that alsl
founded on the highest authority. There
fore believed. II was not easy TO &
against ones early training and faith
Reason led ms TO my present haven
Since came 20 the Catholic Church
; have never been troubled with skepti
cism- have enjoyed perfect peace o
mind.
Church Not Priest-ridden.
The purity OF our faith and the sub
Unity OF our worship are appealing fac
/ tors. Before my conversian heard mucl
OF a priest-ridden church and the un
; holy domination Of the ecclesiastic. Nov
I smile at these fears, knowing hoT