Another Catholic priest whom he met was the pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Father John McCloskey (later Archbishop of New York and the first American cardinal), who was four years Bayley's senior. Bayley time and again stopped in at St. Joseph's rectory or at St. John's College, of which Father McCloskey became president in 1841, in order to discuss the doubts which were worrying him in regard to doctrinal questions and to seek light on the validity of his orders. After many such discussions, it became apparent to McCloskey that his friend "was on the verge of becoming a Catholic but that he hesitated to take the step." Bayley said one day, "I am convinced, but when I come to make the change, I grow cowardly." Once as they walked toward the gate, on being questioned about his hesitancy when he knew it was his duty, Mr. Bayley stopped Father McCloskey and by way of illustrating his mental state, pointed to a wide ditch that flanked the grounds and said, "My condition is this: I could, I know, jump that ditch, wide as it is; but I would not attempt it unless hard pressed. I have not the courage now."