NARRATIVE OF A GONVERSION TO THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

CHAP. I.

Introductory.

BY LAICUS IN RURE.

ed in cities and villages for social intercourse, and for acquiring a smattering knowledge upon almost every subject by means of popular lectures, they are, on the other hand, less liable to vice and immorality, which in their T is well known that in many very nature are contagious, and, like pestiparts of New-England the lential diseases, prevail most in thickly inpopulation, though pretty habited districts. Nor are they deprived of evenly scattered over the the means of acquiring solid information; for country, is yet quite thin there is scarcely a neighborhood which is and sparse. The country is too unsupplied with a library of valuable books uneven and rough to admit of such upon many branches of human knowledge; easy tillage as to render the raising and their long winters, in which they are in of grain very profitable, and there- a measure relieved from their cares, enable fore to admit of a very dense popu-them to make improvement of their advanlation, except in the numerous villages where tages. I think I do not err in saying that water-power has induced numbers to collect there is not a more intelligent or virtuous for manufacturing purposes. The people, people on the face of the globe. Were they therefore, confine their attention principally only brought to feel the influence of the docto the management of cattle, to the grazing trines of the Holy Catholic Church, instead of of which their farms are peculiarly adapted, being subjected to the miserable influence of and to the making of butter and cheese; and sectarianism, none would be more united and to the raising of such fruits, grains, and veg-happy. And I am happy to add that the former etables as will not interfere with the other, influence is, in some small measure, beginning as being their main occupation. A reflective to be exerted, and that the leaven is now mind cannot but infer at once that such em-working which is to leaven the whole lump. ployments are in their nature calculated to Instances of conversion to the true faith are render a people contented, virtuous, and happy. Such is in reality the case. If the peasantry of these rural districts do not possess the advantages of those who are collect

now becoming numerous, and the record of them cannot but interest those who are expressly looking for the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom. If the following nar

VOL. VII.-NO. I.

rative, which is strictly true, does not possess the enchantment of fiction, I trust it will serve at least to cheer the hearts of some who in like manner have been led out of darkness into marvelous light.

Christian man to give a reason for the hope that is in him, and I know that there are times when the layman can inculcate truth as effectually as a clergyman, without usurping any of the functions of the latter. In this sense, every Christian is a missionary, and has a duty to perform to those who come within the sphere of his influence, the responsibility of which he can in no way shake off. In the present instance, I endeavored to explain, as clearly as I was able, the views which the Church entertains of her constitution. The point to which I endeavored particularly to direct the attention, was the or

form, deriving its authority from Christ through an unbroken succession of Apostles or Bishops. I made this the principal subject, because I have ever found it to make more impression upon the minds of dissenters than any points of doctrine could do. Once convince them that their ministry is unauthorized and invalid, and the work is done. They have no place of refuge but in the Holy Catholic Church, with her line of Bishops reaching even to the Apostles of our Lord. Convince them that they are the authorised teachers, and they will not be slow in learning doctrines from their lips.

Living in a region, such as I have described, many miles distant from any church, and in a neighborhood where the crudest and most absurd notions were entertained of our belief, business led me one cold winter day to the house of a neighbor at the distance of half a mile. The weather being so severe that 1 did not wish to resume my walk homeward immediately after accomplishing my purpose, I readily accepted an invitation to seat my-ganization of the ministry in its three-fold self by the blazing fire upon the hearth, and have a little visit with the family. Meanwhile, I had been introduced to a lady who was present, a friend as I learned of the family, who was spending a few days with them on a visit. She was affable and graceful in her manners, and, though by no means what would be termed talkative, was fluent in language, and I soon found myself deeply engaged with her in conversation. The intelligence she manifested upon whatever topic we talked of surprised me, and I was not long in discovering that her mind, besides being highly cultivated, was in itself of a superior stamp. By degrees, we came to talk upon religious subjects, when I was still further surprised to find that she had, during a brief stay in one of our cities, become somewhat acquainted with the Church, and the fact could not escape my observation that she felt deeply interested in it. I could hardly restrain my feelings at this discovery; for in all my intercourse with mankind I have found that though ever ready and anxious to obtain information upon other questions, that of the constitution of the Christian Church has rarely been able to excite in them any honest spirit of inquiry. Now, however, I found one ready to listen with absorbing interest to whatever I had to say upon this mighty theme; and if her mind suggested difficul-. ties in regard to the great truths which are Early Education and Subsequent Religious most firmly believed among us, I was happy to perceive that it was in no cavilling

It is not my purpose to give the details, or even to recapitulate the substance of the long conversation which we had. It could not be expected that she should find full satisfaction from it upon so important a subject; but it gave direction to her thoughts, and suggested to her mind the proper topics of inquiry when she had the means of making it, and ended in a promise from me of a loan of books-a promise which I was not slow to fulfil.

I subsequently learned, partly from herself, and partly from her friends, some particulars of her history, which shall be given in the following chapter.

CHAP. II.

History.

or uncandid spirit. Mere layman as I am, I, The individual with whom I had thus have ever felt it to be the duty of every become acquainted, was a native of Vermont,

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Whether the subject of our narrative was

and had been brought up in a part of the ( state where nothing was known of the doc-brought to Baptism in her infancy, I am unatrines or services of the Church but from ble to say. Nor is it a matter of any imhear-say. Her parents were Methodists; portance for us to know, since that blessed and it is due to that sect to say that it has sacrament has come to be regarded as the produced many bright examples of high merest trifle by all the sects, the Methodists moral worth and elevated Christian piety. not excepted. Once, however, the practice We deny, however, that these are the natu- of bringing their children to Baptism was ral results of any of the peculiarities of the universal among them; but they did it rather system of religion which Methodism teaches; as a duty than a privilege,,not dreaming that but they flow rather from the influence of any benefit was thereby conferred upon the Catholic principles, which, by the mercy of recipient. They did it as an act of dedication, God (be it spoken to the praise of His all-) or "giving up," of their children to God—a glorious name), are not yet wholly extinct sacrifice which indeed He required of them, among them, and which still exert a purify- but without any promise on his part to reing influence over their lives and actions, inceive them who were thus given up into the spite of the other unfavorable circumstances arms of His mercy, and to impart. to them by which they are surrounded. the influence of His Holy Spirit to guard them from evil. This notion is consistent, perhaps, with the stern decrees of Calvinism, which represents our merciful Father in Heaven, who would not that any should perish, but that all should come to Him and be saved, as a fickle tyrant, who bestows his favors upon one, while He withholds them from another. But how Methodists, who have ever professed to fight manfully against such a monstrous theory, could embrace this notion of Baptism, I am at a loss to determine. I suspect in fact that their notions upon that subject are very vague and unde

The parents of the individual whose history I am very briefly writing, were among the most worthy of their sect. However much they valued the spiritual illuminations which at certain times they supposed they had received, they were still conscious that no one could honestly hope for future blessedness without rendering unto God the obedience of a holy life. And this they sincerely endeavored to do under the guidance of the necessarily imperfect knowledge which they possessed. And it must be confessed that with these limited advantages they rendered a far more perfect obedience to the re-fined, and as a consequence the practice of quirements of the Gospel than numbers with far superior advantages are willing to do.

And in regard to their children, they were conscious that they had a duty of binding obligation to perform. They were sensible that God had committed to them a precious trust, which they, by all possible means, were to train up to His glory. And with this impression, they faithfully imparted to them instruction in the great truths of Christianity, and endeavored to guard them from the danger of contracting vicious habits. They had no idea, however, that this teaching, or the most regular habits, would be of any avail towards the final salvation of their offspring, except as a means of furthering their future conversion; and for this they depended wholly on the frequent excitements of which Methodism has been the prolific parent.

infant baptism has almost ceased.

And yet their great apostle-he whom they are proud to call the father of their sect, (though, were he again upon earth, we doubt whether he would be willing to own such a progeny,) spoke in no doubtful terms upon this subject. Hear him in his tract on Baptism: "By Baptism we are made the children of God. And this regeneration, which our Church in so many places ascribes to Baptism, is more than barely being admitted into the Church: being grafted into the body of Christ's Church, we are made the children of God by adoption and grace. By water, then, as a means-1 -the water of Baptism-we are regenerated or born again; whence it is also called by the Apostle the working of regeneration. Our Church, therefore, ascribes no greater virtue to Baptism than Christ him

class, and then in the full communion of the society. And it is just to say that in entering upon her new religious life she did it with a

tion and steadfastness of zeal, which has rarely been equalled, certainly never excelled. With powers of mind which were originally of a superior order, and which, by careful training and excellent instruction in the principles of schism, had attained a vigorous growth, she was fitted to possess a commanding influence among whatever class, or in

self has done." With such testimony as this { before them-nay, more, with their own office for the administration of that holy sacrament, which, though despoiled of much of its beautyfull purpose of soul, with an ardor of devoas found in our Prayer Book, yet, by the repetition of the Gospel, enunciates the important truth of its being the new birth of the recipient is it not strange that in less than a century from their origin they should have entirely discarded the idea of the efficacy of that sacrament? And yet we need not wonder at this result, when upon every page of Holy Writ a warning is found against sepa-whatever sphere, she might be called to act. ration from the Church of Christ, which is His And in such a system as that of Methodism, body, predicting the most woful evils against it can easily be imagined what was the place those who shall commit that grievous sin, she was destined to fill. Her well instructed even a disbelief in the fundamental articles mind turned in disgust, it is true, from many of our most holy faith. If Wesley himself, of the absurd and ridiculous conceits of her in violation of his ordination vows, could set more ignorant brethren; but these she regardthe example of wilful disobedience to theed as necessary evils which were to be enauthority of the Church, what else could he dured, rather than as defects in the system expect than that his disciples should learn to itself. That it was the right, and in many disregard his own authority? If solemn cases the duty, of females to address mixed vows made to God in the presence of His audiences, she had from her youth been taught, faithful people can be thus disregarded, of and always believed; and, since nature and what use can lesser obligations to sinful man education had endowed her with the gift of be found? fluent speech and eloquent language, she did It is worthy of remark, however, that the not hesitate to employ her talents in addresschildren of religious parents are, in the natu- ing religious meetings whenever the occaral course of things, when they arrive atsion seemed to call for it. Certainly no sufficient age to be susceptible to such im- female could be better fitted for such a purpressions, under some powerful excitement, pose, and her influence was deeply felt brought on apparently by intemperate preach-through the whole extent of her acquaintance. ing in camp-meetings and other assemblies, For the instruction of youth she was emibrought together for that purpose, expected to receive such impressions as will issue in their conversion, or as they are pleased to term it "change of heart." Thus the grace which is denied to an ordinance of Christ's own appointment, is attributed to human eloquence and, whether sectarians are disposed to admit it or not, preaching is really made by them not only the sacrament of regenera-she was doing all that any one could do for tion or the new birth, but also of sanctifica-their spiritual benefit. tion and a holy life.

nently qualified, and she accordingly entered upon that employment. In this capacity, she endeavored to be faithful to her trust, and to impress upon the tender minds of those who were committed to her care such religious truths as she thought would be useful to them, and as her own imperfect views enabled her to do. And in this she imagined that

Such is the record of her early life. She The subject of my narrative was at a suit- was living according to the light she had able age duly brought under the influence of received, and she never once imagined that a these means; and, as was earnestly wished, new way was yet to open before her, or that nay, ardently and sincerely prayed for, by a brighter light was shed on the path which her pious parents, it resulted in her conver-guides us to eternal life than that which sion, and in her connection, first with the Methodism afforded.

CHAP. III.

every portion of religious truth which they hold, and many of whose rites and ceremonies, in a mutilated form, they have not scru

ages, which the enlightened genius of modern First Impressions of the Church. times ought to reject. It had ever been repBur the time was approaching when a resented to her as but little better than the change was to come over the spirit of her Church of Rome, and the latter as the mysdream. Although she had never yet been to atical Babylon of Scripture. Such is the great distance from the immediate neighbor-treatment which Methodists bestow upon hood of her nativity, she had long possessed that body from which they have derived a desire of seeing other and distant places, which a pecuniary inability alone disenabled her to gratify. She had relatives residing in a distant city, the capital of a New-pled to adopt. England state, famed for her literary and scientific advantages. From these she received an invitation to come and spend a winter with them, and the opportunity affording her so good a prospect of increasing her stores of learning, and of visiting an interest-important character, and that the boasted ing portion of country, she could not fail to improve. She accordingly left the home of her childhood, and took up her residence in the goodly city of

For many weeks after her arrival in the city, she continued a constant and regular attendant at her accustomed meeting. She became sensible, meanwhile, that the Methodist body was undergoing changes of an

unity of that denomination was forever at an end. From the period of its first organization, it had grown with unexampled rapidity, until it had become the largest body of professed Christians in the land; but the materials of which it was composed were of the most incongruous nature, and as there was no bond of union by which it could be held together, it could not turn out otherwise than that those holding different principles should separate into different bodies. A separation actually took place among the Methodists of the city. Such an event could not but excite some inquiry as to the principles which could lead to it. But how could they blame the

And here, for the first time in her life, her eyes rested upon the massy walls of stone which constitute the enclosure of a Christian temple, where the true God is worshipped according to the forms of that branch of the Catholic Church which exists in this country. As specimens of architecture she could not but admire them. Accustomed as she was to the unmeaning structures which sectarians usually erect for their places of worship, and all untaught as she was in those great catholic principles which seek to be em-separatists for taking the step they did, when bodied in outward forms, she could not but feel that there was something in these noble structures (for there were two of them at no great distance apart), an outward majesty,tury before, had brought forward the same which destroyed all reverence for the brick and mortar buildings with which they were surrounded.

they alleged that the body was so corrupt that they could no longer remain in it?—the successors of the very men who, half a cen

plea as an excuse for leaving the Church. They might dispute about the existing facts, but the principle of the thing was the same. Still, though grieved to the heart at these strifes and divisions, her belief that Methodism was the true system was nowise shaken. How could it be, when she knew of no better?

Of the religious principles which were taught therein, of the solemn rites which were there performed, and of the great body constituting the Catholic Church of which these enduring structures were the symbolic representation, she was profoundly ignorant. Not Weeks passed away, and she found herself, but that she had heard of such a society as providentially, it would seem, living in a famthe Episcopal Church. She had heard much ily of Churchmen. They were distant relaof it; but it had always been to its dispar- tions of herself, yet so distant that the conagement, inasmuch as it was constantly asso- nection was regarded as nothing. An afflictive ciated with the superstitious relics of dark erevent had occurred in this family. An inte