RETURNING TO THE FOLD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 8, 24 June 1898, Page 20

RETURNING TO THE FOLD.

Following the example of. Marion F. Gurney, head and front of the Episcopal Church settlement house, says the Xciv York Herald Miss Lmily R. Arnold, hitherto a well-known worker in the Episcopal Church, has become a convert to the Catholic faith. The ceremony of baptism was performed by the Rev. Father John F X O Conor, at the Church of St. Francis Xavier. at Sixth avenue and Sixteenth street, recently, in presence of a few of the personal friends of the convert from New York and Philadelphia, where Miss Arnold formerly resided. Before coming- to New York city Miss Arnold was connected with St. Clement's Church, conducted by the Cowley 1' at hers, un Order from England. Miss Gurney was also received in the Catholic faith at the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Her baptism was performed on November 1 last, and the account of the ceremony published in the Iff mid at the time created almost as great a bensation in Episcopal, if not in Protestant circles generally, as (lid the recent news of the conversion of Jud«e Frederick Smyth, of the Supreme Court, to the Roman creed. On Laster Sunday Miss Ada Johnston, of Ballykilbeg, the highly accomplished daughter of Mr. William JohnstoD, M.P for Belfast, wa« received into the Catholic Church by the Rev. J F M/Cauley, CC, in St. Patrick's Memorial Church, Downpatrick. Miss Johnston had been attending Catholic services for some time past, and her conversion was not unexpected. The Rev. Edward L. Buckey, until last autumn rector of the Zabnskie Memorial Church (Protestant Episcopal), Newport, R.I , was received into the Catholic Church in Rome. Italy, a few weeks ago and, is now a candidate for the priesthood. Mr. Buckey's conversion seems to be one of those whi h have followed on the letter of Pope Leo XIII., re-affirming the invalidity of Anglican Orders for up to last autumn he held his charge in peace of mind. At that time he made no secret of the fact that his faith in Episcopalianism was shaken, and at once resigned his charge. His parishioners, who were deeply attached to him, entreated him to take an extended vacation and consider the matter, offering to leave his charge open for his possible return. Of course, this kindly offer was affectionately declined by the upright man who knew that there could be but one end to his difficulties, and who, having put his hand to the plough, would not look back. Another notable conversion from the advanced Episcopal ranks is that of Mrs. Mary Utly Robbins, widow of Judge Chilion Robbins, who was Judge of the Court of Common Ple.is at Freehold, NJ. This convert's thoughts were turned to the Centre of Unity by the divisions in the Episcopal Communion. Miss Emma Arnold, a former associate of Miss Elizabeth M. Gurney, m the Church Settlement House, East Side, Now York, has foil wed that lady into the Catholic Church. Like her friend, whe was of the extreme High Church Party, as many of the Episcopal worker-- among the poor are. All these ladies are converts of the Jesuit Fathers

The Rev. George M. P. Bo.vns, a Methodist Episcopal clergyman of New York, dates his conversion from his attendance at the recent mission to non-Catholics in the Church Of the Paulists, New York, and the satisfactory answers of the -'Question Box." lie belongs to a family of preachers, his maternal grandfather, the Rev. William Noon, having been a friend and supporter of John Wesley, under whoai he preached in England. Ex-Mayor arid Mi\ A. Oakev Hall, ot New York, h ive also boeu received into the Church by the Paulists.

In Boston there is a steady gain in converts from the wageearning classes, ot whose ivluious diflioulLics the world is likely to henr far less than those of people of wealth and position bat whose example and labours are ofien as fruitful.