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Show A CONTENTED CONVERT. Testimony of a Former Protestant Episcopal Minister. The Rev. C. H. Schtiltz. pastor of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal church. Milwuakee. Wis., became a Catholic on Jan. 31. 1904. and is now a teacher in the Newman school at Hackensack. N. J. Recently the Protestant Episcopal Bishop Nicholson wrote lo Mr. Schultz to announce that it was the former's duty to pronounce a sentence of degradation degra-dation unon the converted minister. "Before .doing so. officially." he wrote. "I beg leave to send you this notice and warning, asking you to assign cause why I should not so proceed. No answer an-swer to this is necessary if you are satisfied with your present state." In reply, Mr. Schultz wrote: "My Dear Bishop Nicholson: In receiving re-ceiving your notification of the official action required by the title H. canon 2, section 1. which relates to 'Holding . . . doctrine contrary to that held by the Prolestant Episcopal church.' you will permit me to say at the close of one year within the Catholic church that I deem the so-called degradation an honor. And in making the statement state-ment I do not wish to imply that I believe be-lieve I am where God's will requires me to be. For I hold that all which the Roman Catholic church teaches, including includ-ing the supremacy of the holy see, the infallibility of the pope, and the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Mary, mother of God. to be de fide, and therefore necessary for the suol's salvation. "Nevertheless, let me assure you that I respect and that I have a strong affection af-fection for the Catholic minded of the Anglican communion who are living in good faith. For I hold more strongly than ever that the Catholic school of the Anglican church is a providential preparation for ever-increasing numbers num-bers of Anglicans to reach home at last. "I am thoroughly satisfied with my present state in every temporal and spiritual aspect. My peace and rest are" beyond expression. You were kind enoueh to express, a prayerful wish in I my behalf. In return I give you both pravers and intentions at mass. Very truly yours, C. H. SCHULTZ." This sense of spiritual content usually is granted to converts. It makes up to them for many of the trials they have to endure in becoming Catholics. It is that neace of Christ that is above all price and all cost of suffering. Catho-I lie Columbian |
