His farewell to that class did not involve loss of affectionate interest, for in mind he continually reverted to them.

He knew that their peculiar traits were significant of the most imperative invitation of Providence to missionary work.

He thought it was to that class, or, rather, to the multitude to whom they were prophets, that the exponent of Catholicity should first address himself.

They possessed the highest activity of the natural faculties; they were all but the only class of Americans who loved truth for its own sake, that trait which is the peculiarity of the Catholic mind, and the first requisite for real conversion.
It may have been the latent strength of this conviction that, within a year after his reception into the Church, permanently affected the influence which Brownson had so long exerted over him.

It ceased now to be in any sense controlling, and at no future time regained force enough to be directive.