We stop here to remark that such expressions as these are neither to be taken as evidences of a passing disgust for the drudgery of text-book tasks, nor as signs of an indolent disposition.  They are the assertion of a principle which Father Hecker maintained throughout his life.  He never felt the least interest in studies not undertaken as a result of some supernatural impulse, or pursued in view of some supernatural aim.  He looked with the coldest unconcern upon such investigations of science as promise nothing toward solving the problems which perplex humanity on the moral side, or which do not contribute to the natural well-being of men.  With the pursuit of any science which does promise such results he was in the fullest sympathy, and was himself an unwearied student.  It was anything but intellectual indolence which caused him to put away his books.  He was naturally of a busy temperament:  if men who knew him but slightly might think him visionary, no man could know him at all and consider him a sluggard.  We shall see in the sequel how, under extremely critical circumstances, the assertion of this principle was wrung from him by the constraining force of his interior guide.  Much of what follows illustrates this trait of character.

The letter last quoted from had not yet been sent when the answer to his announcement of June 11 reached him, and he added a postscript.  The only point in it to which he alludes or makes any direct reply is the gentle expression of his mother’s disapprobation of his purpose: 

“Your letter and draft, brother George, came this morning.  You say mother would prefer my joining the Anglican Church.  The reasons why she prefers this are such as would doubtless govern me if I did not feel still deeper and stronger reasons to overcome them. . . .  My present convictions are deeper far than any I have ever experienced, and are not hastily decided upon.”

Turning now to the diary, the entries made at this time seem especially characteristic: 

“June 13, 1844.—­I feel very cheerful and at ease since I have consented to join the Catholic Church.  Never have I felt the quietness, the immovableness, and the permanent rest that I do now.  It is inexpressible.  I feel that essential and interior permanence which nothing exterior can disturb, and no act which it calls on me to perform will move in the least.  It is with a perfect ease and gracefulness that I never dreamed of that I shall unite with the Church.  It will not change but fix my life.  No external relations, events, or objects can disturb this unreachable quietness or break the deep repose in which I am.

“The exoteric eye is double; the esoteric eye is single.

“The external world is divisional; the internal world is unity.

“The esoteric includes the exoteric, but the exoteric excludes the esoteric.

“The man can move all faculties, organs, limbs; but they cannot move the man.