Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/113

Rh from Germany, who not long since became a convert from Protestantism to the Catholic faith, and who had the zeal and fervor of a new proselyte, accompanied us through the church, and wished, by all means, to convert me to Catholicism, and also to show me Luther's errors and delusions. Impatience and cold made me cut the conversation short. Besides, one cannot argue with a person who begins his proofs by a pompous announcement that “the Catholic Church considers the human being to consist of both soul and body!”

In the mean time, there was no lack of controversy for me in Rome; even my countrywoman, Madame de M——, is lately converted to the Catholic church, and would gladly make me a proselyte for her own salvation; and I like to talk with her. Hers is a fervent, earnest soul, deeply imbued with a knowledge of the religious life, which I, on my side, wished to lead to a truer view of the essential, both in religion, and in the religious life; but it is delightful to see the doctrine of the Catholic church reflect itself in a pure and upright soul; to understand what it is in this doctrine which is so satisfying to such a soul, so that she has scarcely words for the happiness which she enjoys; so that every flower on earth has a new fragrance, a new splendor, for her eye, and that the thorn of suffering, which she now experiences, physically, has lost its sting to her. This is precious to me, both to see and understand, as well as how she, at the same time, can deny to me,—who, in my own church, enjoy a happiness so kindred to her own,—all participation in the “only saving church.”