Protestantism is no longer more than a name, a memory.

The American has fallen back upon himself, scorning the negations and the doctrinal cruelties of Protestantism as utterly contrary to himself, as utterly unnatural; and now comes the opportunity of the Catholic Church to show that she is from the God who created nature, by opening before this people her treasures, amid which the soul revels in rational liberty and intelligence, and enjoys the gratification of its best and purest moral instincts.

These convictions are the keynote of Father Hecker's controversial discourses and writings, notably of two books, _Aspirations of Nature_ and _Questions of the Soul._ He assumed that the American people are naturally Catholic, and he labored with this proposition constantly before his mind.

It is the assumption upon which all must labor who sincerely desire to make America Catholic.
He laid stress on the natural and social virtues.

The American people hold these in highest esteem.