The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-07-15
DIR. THOMAS A. EMMETT
The Interesting Story Of His CONVEX
sion Told by Himself.
for Ireland

The Interesting Story Of His CONVEX
sion Told by Himself.
In a lengthy review of the latest
work of DIR. Thomas Adds Emmett en-
titled incidents OF My Life" the
Freeman's Journal gives this interest
ing sketch of the extraordinary haste
with which DR.. Emmett sought admis-
sion to the Church:
Just midway in the book and not
quite halfway in the years of his life
we come upon his browning glory
his conversion to the Catholic Faith.
For more than a dozen years he had
lived happily with his Catholic wife
without in the least being drawn to
her religion or interfering with it. For
her sake he had held a pew in st.
Stephens Church and even accompa-
MED her thither frequently but always
with an observation-disclosures as to the
service.
He had from his Episcopalian father
Il sincere belief in God and eternity
and from his Puritan grandmother had
learned much of the Bible. Ee had
thought out all the differences that
conclusion that if there was need of a
Church the Catholic Church was the
one. But he felt no need and was so
taken up with biology, that theology
gave him little concern.
But one day passing, as he did ev-
cry day. st. Stephens Church, on the
way to the hospital, he noted a great
many men going in, and wondered
what men could want at that hour at
church. 1t was two in the afternoon.
He went in to see and learned it was
a mission and a young priest of the
Redemptorist Order was just then as
cending the pulpit to preach. 1t was
young Father Gross afterwards Arch
bishop and
He spoke on the mysteries of faith
and that we are not expected to try
to understand them; their acceptance
without question was an acknowledge
ment of the authority of God and of
His right to exact obedience. 1t was
evident that we should not compre-
bend them as we would then be the
equal Of God Himself and superior to
the angels in heaven.
Il have never met with a better H.
lustration Of the Importance Of a few
simple words. For years l had at
tempted to comprehend the views Of
learned men as to what was my duty
in regard to this very subject. Now
in a few words l had my way made
clear. l was ready to acknowledge
Gods authority without question; also
that He could ask nothing but the
truth; therefore was l thus Invested
Of all responsibility in accepting what
1 could not understand. History, ira
made clear to me as it would to any
one anxious to investigate for himself
that the Catholic Church has existed
unchanged in authority and in an I'M
broken line from the days of st. Peter
to the present time; and that 1t could
be the only representative on earth of
the authority which our Lord promised
to leave to His Church as a teaching
body, as His Representative, and
against which the gates of He'll could
not prevail. Therefore no further
doubt existed in my mind.
With DR.. Emmett action followed
conviction always. He tells us he
went at once to the sacristy after the
services. thanked the preacher. and
asked for admission into the Catholic
Church at once. The good priest de-
precated too great haste and recon-
mended instruction first.
II stated this was unnecessary, as
I knew everything which would be re-
CURED of me and as I had always de-
cided and acted quickly when had
important work to do, I again asked
how soon could he be at leisure to re-
ceive me.
HE asked me some questions and
then said he would be at my service
in about an hour.
7 returned home and told my wife