At the time of writing, St John Henry Newman is about (November 1st) to be elevated to the place of Doctor of the Church. This reflects (and not before time!) the huge influence of this remarkable Englishman, who converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism without much change in his beliefs, and continued to save the souls of many around him, and still being held in good heart by his former denomination. An approachable aspect of his thinking is exposed by his hymn lyrics:
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom;
O lead me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
O lead me on!
Keep firm my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that you
Should lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path, but now,
Please lead me on!
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.
So long your pow'r has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on,
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.