The Catholic Publication Society [pp. 278-283]

The Catholic Publication Society.
would not be remarkable if our own
people were brought within the range
of their influence.
Beside this, there is another field
in which we have not only the right
to work, but which we cannot,
or at least ought not to, neglect.
There are thousands of young
men in the land of fair education who, impelled by necessity or
ambition, flock to the great commercial centres. These, careless in matters of religion, having no settled
principles of faith, often called upon
to confront great dangers and temptations, seldom attend any place of worship; or if so, only to relieve the ennui of Sunday. These are souls to be
cared for. They need instruction upon cardinal points of the Christian
faith. They may have received something akin to it in early youth, but it
has been forgotten. They are difficult to reach, and in no way can
access to them be gained more
readily than by the publications of
this society. A few words of earnest
advice, a hint as to the end of a
vicious career, or a warning of the
uncertainty of life, may excite reflection, and reflection is the first step toward reformation.
At a time like the present of vast
intellectual activity, when myriads of
books are produced on all subjects
embracing every description of teachinf, there must be abroad not only a
great mass of error, but a great number of unstable minds ready to receive
it. Mlen imperfectly educated, striving to master subjects far beyond
their comprehension, trained to no
logical modes of thought, restrained
by no respect for authority, confounding scepticism with freedom of
inqu;ry, are often led by a dangerous curiosity to examine certain
fundamrental questions which lie at the
root ol'all knowledge, and which can only
be safely handled by the most learned
and profound. Such is the class of
persons peculiarly to be benefited by
Catholic teaching. A theology positive and satisfying to the soul, that
sets wholesome limits to human
knowledge, and is able to give
adequate answers to great social and
moral problems, is best adapted to
impress minds of this class. The
reading of three pages has before
now convinced a man of the error of
his whole philosophical system, and
may do it again'
The spirit of Catholic charity takes
in all sorts and conditions of men.
The mission of the church is well defined, and may be summed up in one
word, namely, to convert the world to
God; and as every day brings its
blessings upon labors that have been
already undertaken to secure this object, we have reason to hope that newv
efforts and fresh zeal, well directed,
will produce abundant fruits.
We cannot close this notice of the
Catholic Publication Society without
adverting to one means of usefulness
which we think it is especially fitted
to promote.
Such has been the virulence of hlostility to the Catholic religion in days
gone by, such the monstrous credulity
and unreasoning prejudice of its fes,
that it is not surprising to find a true
knowledge of the Catholic faith exceedingly rare. Within the last twenty years, however, a great change has
taken place. The general blamelessness of life in those who honor their
religion, fidelity to social and political
duties, and charity toward our enemies,
have not been without precious results.
At the present moment religious bigotry can no longer animate the hatred
alike of wise and simple. One who
comes prepared to censure, must come
prepared also for the conflict of truth.
Statements, facts, and opinions are
closely scrutinized. Everything is
not now taken upon trust. The attitude of controversy begets caution.
Now, what advantages may we not
hope to reap from this one isolated
fact? A fair hearing for the true exposition of Catholic doctrine; not doctrine carefully prepared with exterior
show of fairness and then imputed to
us for the purpose of being more easily
281