he corruption of nature," says Bellarmine, "does not come from the
want of any natural gift, or from the accession of any evil quality,
but simply from the loss of a supernatural gift on account of Adam's
sin."]

The Catechism of the Council of Trent, to which Father Hecker so
often refers, was the very best book he could have had for learning
just what Catholicity is in doctrine and practice. It is unique in
Catholic literature, being the only authoritative expression of the
Church, in extended form, on matters of pastoral theology. Outside
the dogmatic circle of doctrinal definition it enjoys the fullest and
most distinct authorization. The express command of the council
caused it to be prepared by a special congregation of prelates and
divines, and it was promulgated to the episcopate to be translated
into the language of the people and expounded to them by all pastors.
It may be said of it that it is the only book which has the Catholic
Church for its author. It is a book which never can grow old; and in
witness of that perennial quality, it may be mentioned that Cardinal
Newman said that he never preached without using it in preparation.
It is an exponent of Catholic truth absolutely free from the danger
of private, or national, or racial, or traditional bias--the very
book Isaac Hecker was in need of. Its plentiful use of Scripture; its
confident appeal to antiquity; its perfect clearness; its
completeness; its tone of conviction no less than its attitude of
authority; make it to such minds as his the very all-sufficient organ
of truth. Furthermore, the entire system of doctrine and morals known
to revealed religion finds here its adequate exposition. We are glad
of an occasion to say these words, not merely to chronicle the
usefulness of the book to Father Hecker, but also to recommend its
restoration to its proper place, which both by merit and by authority
is the first in the moral and pastoral literature of the Church.

"The truth is," continue the memoranda, "that original sin _as taught
by the Church_ would never have been a great difficulty to me: of
course the Calvinistic doctrine is quite a different affair.

"I was led, after I got to work at the Catechism of the Council of
Trent, in a way quite positive. For example, one thing I wanted was a
satisfaction of that feeling and sentiment which has made so many
persons Spiritualists. I found that in the Church there was no
impassable barrier dividing the