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CHAPTER VIII


MINISTRY IN LONDON


From Louvain I was recalled at the close of the first academical year by a revival of my educational functions at London. A new generation of philosophers had arrived, and I had to resume the task of imprinting the conclusions of scholastic philosophy upon their youthful and unsympathetic minds. The theological studies were also conducted at Forest Gate, and all students had to remain under an ‘instructor’ until they were promoted to the priesthood. As I held that position during most of the time I remained at Forest Gate I had ample opportunity to study the formation of priests, for the instructor is responsible for the material and spiritual welfare of those under his charge. Of the innumerable complications with superiors, and a certain kind of inferiors, which my zeal (not always, perhaps, blended with prudence) provoked, I forbear to speak; but when the authorities added the task of instructor to the lay brothers or servants my powers of endurance failed. Enough has been said in the preceding chapters about the life of