Not the least remarkable share of the history of Catholicism is seen in
the stream of conversions that began in the very stress of the French
Revolution and has not ceased to flow since then. From every land of
the Old and New Worlds hundreds of thousands have returned of their
own volition to the ancient fold wherein we firmly believe is kept the
sacred deposit of saving truth. They have come to us from the pulpits
of opposing religions and from the workshops of an unbelieving science.
Every condition of life, and both sexes, have sent us numerous souls.
Very many of these conversions have been unsolicited and unexpected.
Some of them meant an accession of wealth or social prestige or
high rank. Others brought with them the beloved tribute of uncommon
intelligence, experience of life and men, acquired erudition, the
highest gifts of style and oratory. Very many have come from the middle
walks of life, and signified no more than a great weariness of pursuing
shadows for the reality of divine truth, and the excessive goodness of
the Holy Spirit of God which bloweth where it listeth. Of this army of
converts some have been drawn by the conviction that the Bible alone,
without an interpreter and a witness divinely guaranteed, could not
suffice as a rule of faith. Others have been moved by the incarnation
in the Church of the spirit and functions of authority without which
no society can exist. Still others have come back to the Mother of all
churches, through a deep heart-weariness at the endless dilapidation
of divine truth outside the Roman Church. Some have sought and found
through the study of history the open door to the truth. Others again
through the study of art and its functions in the Christian Church. In
whatever way they returned to the unity of the original sheepfold, they
are an eloquent witness to the innate vigor and the immortal charm of
the Christian truth as preserved in Catholicism. For they have come in
unconditionally. Their return has worked beneficially, not only for
themselves, but for those of the Catholic faith, whom it has consoled
and encouraged for their steadfastness, while the non-Catholic world
cannot but feel that that religion is worthy of respect, even of study,
which can forever draw so many men and women out of the ranks of its
adversaries, even at the sacrifice of many things which are usually
held dear by society.