The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-05-16
Continued from Page ~
GREAT CATHOLIC ORATOR.

on which he concentrated all his gifts
sionate love of truth, his force of char
acter, his logical mind, and fine faith
led him on to seek an infallible
teacher. Preaching the evangelicalism
of his father, his mind travelled to the
High Church, but found no rest. He
to examine the claims of the Catholic
Church. This he did with characteris-
tic thoroughness, determined to let no
consideration deter him from finding
the truth. 1t was the spirit of the
athlete wrestling in the spiritual field
for the victory of truth; wrestling with
prejudice, temporal considerations,
family aversions, and old associations,
and at last he presented himself to
Newman at Birmingham. The story
of that interview is an oft-told tale
He declared he had lost all faith in
the professions and doctrines of the
Anglican Church. We'll, you know,
cannot give you the faith of the Roman
Catholic Church." replied Newman. 81
don't want you to do that" said Rob-
inson, Il have it, Are you certain?"
questioned Newman. eff the Church
were to teach" was the prompt reply,
that Jonas swallowed the whale in
stead of the whale swallowing Jonas
l should believe it." His conversion
was effected in 1872. He went to
Oscott for a theological course of
study for three years, passed on to
Rome, and thence entered upon his
Catholic career.
A Polemic Preacher.
His first appointment was as Vice
Rector of the newly-formed Catholic
University at Kensington, of which
Mgr. Capel was rector. Mgr. Capel
was at the time at the zenith of his
popularity as a preacher. His name
recalls group of distinguished con-
verts he gathered round him at that
ill-starred University, all great per-
sonal friends of Mgr. Robinson, and
since passed away-Father Robert
Clarke, D. D., Mgr. Moore, Father
George Angus, Professor Mivart, Pro.
lessor Bari, Mr.. Grindal, and others
and the lectures they gave we're OF
rare distinction. The priests became
associated with the Pro-Cathedral, and
it was there that Mgr. Robinson laid
about him in controversy raised by
the Globe about conversion made by
Mgr. Moore. "The Priest in the
Family" was the topic of the hour, but
it is curious to note that the aggrieved
himself subsequently received in the
same church. Mgr. Robinson at that
time, and ever since, filled the old
Pro-Cathedral as no other preacher
filled it after Mgr. Capel. In 1878
after the failure of the University
scheme, he was appointed Chaplain Of
the Kensington Workhouse, and he
endeared himself to the old people
whom he in turn truly loved. At the
instance of Cardinal Vaughan he insti
tuted the Historical Research Societ!
at old Archbishop's House, for which
work he was prominently qualified
and, further, he engaged in the vigor
GUS campaign of lectures by Catholic
priests to non-Catholics in public
halls, in which he was associated will
Bishop Vaughan and others. His cen
trail, concentrated, and dearest ener
gies were given to preaching in thu
churches, and giving retreats, in which
he was in great demand in all part
of the British Isles. A master o
eloquence and learning, he neve
ceased to be a student, for it was hi
settled practice to read theology am
allied subjects for two hours ever.
day. For that reason his Sermon
were always instructive and Dor
good fruit.