The following is the introductory paragraph of a long character sketch of Father Hecker from the pen of James Parton, the historian.  It is taken from an article entitled “Our Roman Catholic Brethren,” published in the Atlantic Monthly for April and May, 1868.  The entire article is full of admiration for the Catholic Church and of yearning towards her, though written by a typical sceptic of this era: 

“As usual with them [Catholics] it is one man who is working this new and most effective idea [the Catholic Publication Society]; but, as usual with them also, this one man is working by and through an organization which multiplies his force one hundred times and constitutes him a person of national importance.  Readers who take note of the really important things transpiring around them will know at once that the individual referred to is Father Hecker, Superior of the Community of the Paulists, in New York. . . .  It is he [Father Hecker] who is putting American machinery into the ancient ark and getting ready to run her by steam.  Here, for once, is a happy man—­happy in his faith and in his work—­sure that in spreading abroad the knowledge of the true Catholic doctrine he is doing the best thing possible for his native land.  A tall, healthy-looking, robust, handsome, cheerful gentleman of forty-five, endowed with a particular talent for winning confidence and regard, which talent has been improved by many years of active exercise.  It is a particular pleasure to meet with any one, at such a time as this, whose work perfectly satisfies his conscience, his benevolence, and his pride, and who is doing that work in the most favorable circumstances, and with the best co-operation.  Imagine a benevolent physician in a populous hospital, who has in his office the medicine which he is perfectly certain will cure or mitigate every case, provided only he can get it taken, and who is surrounded with a corps of able and zealous assistants to aid him in persuading the patients to take it!”

Mr. Parton having given us a picture of Father Hecker as he appeared to Protestants, the following exhibits him as Catholics saw him.  It is an extract from Father Lockhart’s clever book, The Old Religion; the original of Father Dilke is Father Hecker: 

“The day after our last conversation, having an introduction to the Superior of the ——­ Fathers in New York, my friends agreed to accompany me.  I was particularly glad of this because Father Dilke was one of the most remarkable men of our Church in the States.  Himself a convert, and a man of large views and great sympathies, no one was better able to enter into the scruples and difficulties of religious Protestants on their first contact with Catholic doctrines and Catholic worship.