In truth, it is rarely that the inner voice of God does not call for an external interpreter, which, if it does no more than furnish a divinely authorized test and criterion, is none the less necessary.

Moreover, the inner voice seldom provides ways and means for its own purposes.

Father Hecker was ever a strenuous defender of this inner and outer unity of the Divine guidance, and his vocation was an illustration of it.

However masterful the inner voice of God which called him away from the world, he was helpless till he heard its tones harmonized by the counsel of Bishop McCloskey.

When he found that even with this backing secured, the external obstacles to his plan proved invincible, he was once more nonplussed.