"In returning I stopped at the ward political meeting." Then he notes that although the business he follows is especially full of temptations--as no doubt it was to a man keeping so tight a rein over his most natural and legitimate appetites--he feels deeply grateful that, so far, he has had no need to fear his being led away.

"What yet remains ?" he adds.

"My diet is all purchased and all produced by hired labor.

I suppose that slave labor produces almost all my dress.

And I cannot say that I am rightly conditioned until all I eat, drink, and wear is produced by love." It was a vivid recollection of these early efforts after an ascetic perfection which had neither guide nor definite plan, which prompted the following vigorous self-appreciation, made by Father Hecker two years before his death.