So St. Clement of
Alexandria, as cited by Fell.' And Keble supports his contention
through ten pages of close print, with references to Aristeas,
St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and Dr. Whitby.
Writings of this kind could not fail in their effect. Pious
youths in Oxford were carried away by them, and began to flock
around the standard of Newman. Newman himself became a party
chief-- encouraging, organising, persuading. His long black
figure, swiftly passing through the streets, was pointed at with
awe; crowds flocked to his sermons; his words were repeated from
mouth to mouth; 'Credo in Newmannum' became a common catchword.
Jokes were made about the Church of England, and practices,
unknown for centuries, began to be revived. Young men fasted and
did penance, recited the hours of the Roman Breviary, and
confessed their sins to Dr. Pusey. Nor was the movement confined
to Oxford; it spread in widening circles through the parishes of
England; the dormant devotion of the country was suddenly
aroused. The new strange notion of taking Christianity literally
was delightful to earnest minds; but it was also alarming. Really
to mean every word you said, when you repeated the Athanasian
Creed! How wonderful! And what enticing and mysterious vistas
burst upon the view! But then, those vistas, where were they
leading? Supposing--oh heavens!--supposing after all they were to
lead to--!
III
IN due course, the Tracts made their appearance at the remote
rectory in Sussex.
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