The Convert's Catechism aims at presenting Religious Truths in the order of their relative importance to the sincere non-Catholic. It emphasizes controverted points in a special manner, while stating the Catholic doctrine clearly.
There are two views of life: the divine and the human. The one is true, eternal and immutable; the other false, temporal and changeable. The former is in perfect accord with right reason, enlightened by Faith; the latter, the result of reason alone, is invariably distorted by ignorance, prejudice or passion. Catholics take the former view of life; men of the world, the latter. Between these two classes there are many honest souls groping in darkness or semidarkness, seeking the Light. It would be demanding too much to require these to embrace the Catholic view in all details before receiving the light of Faith. They can, however, be expected to follow the guidance of right reason and the promptings of grace, and thus advance gradually on the right Way, to the realization of the Truth, and the possession of divine Life.
For these reasons The Convert's Catechism does not follow the beaten path in imparting religious instruction, but is composed on an entirely new plan, to facilitate the labor both of the Inquirer and of the Instructor. Part I insists on the necessity of serving God, as God ordains in Revelation especially as taught by His divine Son. It shows the necessity of a divine Church, infallibly guided by God, to teach man how to live as a child of God and heir to the Kingdom of Heaven. When he has once mastered this principle of Divine Authority, the Inquirer is prepared to accept whatever the Divine Church teaches on Faith, Morals and the Means of Grace, all of which is clearly stated in Part II of this Catechism. The scope of this little work prevented the Author from entering into the Reason and Authority of Religion. For additional reading he therefore refers the Convert to his "Manual of Theology for the Laity".