In fact, wherever he had a chance to make himself known, prejudices melted away under the influence of his frank and kindly manners.  Some people of other sects, as well of his own, took an interest in him for the very reasons that caused distrust and dislike in others; viz:  because they had heard of him as the champion of perfect liberty of conscience, who considered it unnecessary to bind men by any creed whatsoever.  Among these, he mentions in his journal, Professor Stokes of Dublin, who relinquished a salary of two thousand eight hundred pounds a year, because he could not conscientiously subscribe to the doctrine of the Trinity.  It was proposed to dismiss him from the college altogether; but he demanded a hearing before the trustees and students.  This privilege could not be denied, without infringing the laws of the institution; and deeming that such a discussion might prove injurious, they concluded to retain him, on a salary of eight hundred pounds.  Friend Hopper describes him thus:  “He is an intelligent and liberal-minded man, and has a faculty of exposing the errors and absurdities of the Athanasian Creed to much purpose.  He was of a good spirit, and I was much gratified with his company.  He insisted upon accompanying me home in the evening, and though I remonstrated against it, on account of his advanced age, he attended me to the door of my lodgings.”

During this visit to Ireland, Friend Hopper was treated with great hospitality and respect by many who were wealthy, and many who were not wealthy; by members of the Society of Friends, and of various other religious sects.  He formed a high estimate of the Irish character, and to the day of his death, always spoke with warm affection of the friends he found there.  In his journal, he often alludes with pleasure to the children he met with, in families where he visited; for he was always extremely partial to the young.  Speaking of a visit to a gentleman in the environs of Dublin, by the name of Wilson, he says:  “I rose early in the morning, and the eldest daughter, about ten or eleven years old, very politely invited me to walk with her.  We rambled about in the pastures, and through beautiful groves of oak, beech and holly.  The little creature tried her very best to amuse me.  She told me about the birds and the hares, and other inhabitants of the woods.  She inquired whether I did not want very much to see my wife and children; and exclaimed, ’How I should like to see you meet them!  It would give you so much pleasure!’” He speaks of a little girl in another family, who seemed very much attracted toward him, and finally whispered to her father, “I want to go and speak to that Friend.”  She was introduced accordingly, and they had much pleasant chat together.

In one of the families where he visited, they told him an instructive story concerning a Quaker who resided in Dublin, by the name of Joseph Torrey.  One day when he was passing through the streets, he saw a man leading a horse, which was evidently much diseased.  His compassionate heart was pained by the sight, and he asked the man where he was going.  He replied, “The horse has the staggers, and I am going to sell him to the carrion-butchers.”