six or seven hundred Catholics grew up in
Concord, and I was invited to lecture, and I went. The pastor
attended another station that Sunday, and I said the Mass and meant
to give a homily by way of sermon. But as I was going to the altar,
all vested for the Mass, two men came into my soul: one, the man who
lived in that village in former years, a blind man, groping about for
light, a soul with every problem unsolved; the other a man full of
light, with every problem solved, the universe and the reason of his
existence known as they actually are. Well, there were those two men
in my soul. I had to get rid of them, so I preached them of to the
people. Some wept, some laughed, all were deeply moved. That night
came the lecture. It rained pitchforks and pineapples, but the hall,
a large one, was completely filled. Multitudes of Yankees were there.
Emerson was absent, but Alcott was present. I had my lecture all cut
and dried. 'Why I became a Catholic' was the subject. But as I was
about to begin, up came those two men again, and for the life of me I
couldn't help firing them off at the audience, and with remarkable
effect. Next day I met Emerson in the street and we had a little talk
together. None of those men are comfortable in conversation with an
intelligent Catholic. He avoided my square look, and actually kept
turning to avoid my eyes until he had quite turned round! Such men,
confronted with actual, certain convictions are exceedingly
uncomfortable. They feel in subjection to you. They cannot bear the
steadfast glance of a man of certain principles any better than a dog
can the look of his master. Like a dog, they turn away the head and
show signs of uneasiness."

From the memoranda, also, we take this reminiscence of George Ripley,
the man whom Father Hecker loved best of all the Transcendental party:

"January 23, 1885.--Seeing my perplexity at Brook Farm, George Ripley
said, 'Mr. Hecker, do you think we have not got true religion? If you
think so, say so. If you have views you think true, and which we
ought to have, let us hear them.' I answered, 'No; I haven't the
truth, but I am trying to get it. If I ever succeed, you will hear
from me. If I don't, you never will. I am not going to teach before I
am certain myself. I will not add myself to the list of humbugs.'

"Ripley was a great man; a wonderful man. But he was a complete
failure. I loved him dearly, and he knew it, and he loved me; I know
well he did.