St. John Henry Newman's father forgives the brothers after a Sunday quarrel

THE NEWMAN FAMILY HOME, England, October 1, 1821 AD — Saint John Henry Newman’s father forgave his two sons today. The day before, at home, St. John Henry Newman had taken his younger brother’s side against their father over whether it is a sin to write a letter on a Sunday. He is twenty, and home from Oxford for a short stay.

He is a graduate of Trinity College, Oxford, and the son of John Newman. His brother Francis Newman is sixteen. Their mother brought both boys up in a strict Calvinist religion, and Francis is dogged about keeping its rules.

His final examination at Oxford, last November, went badly. Beforehand, even people who did not know him had expected him to take first-class honours in both classics and mathematics. He was not yet twenty, two years younger than most candidates, and for twenty of the twenty-four weeks before the examination he studied an average of more than twelve hours a day. When the examination came he was worn out, and he broke down. He got no honours at all in mathematics, and in classics only a low second, far below the firsts people had expected.

St. John Henry Newman wrote to his father on December 1, 1820 AD: “It is all over, and I have not succeeded. The pain it gives me to be obliged to inform you and my mother of it, I cannot express.” He went on, in the same letter: “What I feel on my own account is indeed nothing at all, compared with the thought that I have disappointed you.”

John Newman had troubles of his own. In 1816 AD the London bank in which he was a partner failed, though in the end it paid back everyone it owed in full. He then took over a brewery at Alton, in Hampshire.

In 1819 AD John Newman entered his son at Lincoln’s Inn in London to study for the Bar. After the examination, he decided that a barrister’s career was too uncertain. His son was drawn to religion and chose the Church instead. This year St. John Henry Newman gave up the law and resolved to be ordained a clergyman of the Church of England, and his father agreed.

St. John Henry Newman wrote in his journal that night: “After dinner to-day I was suddenly called downstairs to give an opinion whether I thought it a sin to write a letter on a Sunday. I found dear F. had refused to copy one.” “F.” was his brother Francis. St. John Henry Newman backed Francis, and their father decided that both sons had disobeyed him. St. John Henry Newman’s entry goes on: “A scene ensued more painful than any I have experienced. I have been sadly deficient in meekness, long-suffering, patience, and filial obedience. With God’s assistance I will redeem my character.”

St. John Henry Newman wrote in his journal today: “My Father was reconciled to us to day. When I think of the utter persuasion he must entertain of the justice of his views, of our apparent disobedience, the seeming folly of our opinions, and the way in which he is harassed by worldly cares, I think his forgiveness of us an example of very striking candour, forbearance and generosity.”