The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-11-24
THE LAY CONTINGENT.
Cincinnati Telegraph.

Inere are more ways OF preaching tnan
by word of mouth, and of these the
preaching by the constant example ola good
life is the most effective. There is no
escaping the influence of such an example,
even the wicked or depraved confess its
power, aud are often moved by it to re-
| pentaDce aud shame.
| Yet this is method lying within reach
of everyone. No man is 80 hidden away
in obscurity that he altogether escapes the
pryiuR eye of q neighbor. The list of
conversions to Catbolicity in Protestant
| countries within the century contains very
many to whom the first conscious impulse
| came from some poor Catholic with whom
they were brought in contact in some way.
What touched their hearts and minds
and moved them to search, to doubt,
to inquiries What filled them with the
interest that could only be satisfied in one
wayf The example of this humble, con-
sistent, good life, that was good with
steady motive, a clear conviction, and
sound conscience.
There is no soil more favorable for
effectual work of this kind than our own.
The busy life of men here leaves little time
for questioning, or reading, or study. For
such as these there is no book like liv-
ing book. The barriers that in other lands
are still hard and fast are here yielding
insensbly every day. Anti-Catbolic pre-
judice, of course, there is in abundance,
and we must count on it as a strong oppos-
haps, to come. Catholics, however. move
about more than was their wont in Protes-
taBt circles. This may have good or a
bad effect, according to the personal force
of character and worth of the Catholic. |
There are few whe rather s&ect Prote s
tant society and from motives easily |
prefer it 10 that of Catholics. |
Circumstances place othere, for the time |
being at least, almost exclusively in Pro- |
testant circles. These may do good or |
may do harm. 1t all depends on them. |
aeves. If their Protestant acGuaintauces |
ind them lower ia character than them
selves, less penetrated with the sense of
the supernatural, less pure, less noble, less
honest, less charitable, they are sure in
niIe cases out of ten to attribute this low
er moral stature, this stinted growth, to
the effect of Catholic teeching. If even
hey Fl nd them only much the same as them
'elves, what inducement or reason is
given them for changing their lives 7 If
t turn out in the end to be much the
anne thing, 30 far as life and it's conduct
20, whether you be Catholic or not, what
q the name of peace and good will is the
mes conscience by trying to find out |:
which religion is the right one7 ''By their
ruits ye shall know them" Yes; but if
he fruits of Catholic and non-Cathoic ,
10 of much the same shape and quality, L
Vhat then7
cO pSOpi6 al que, duu very pldu5IUIN tOU.
low we are not advocating that every
'atholic should wear the outward garb of
eiigion and practice Catholic department.,
0 to say. No; but what is in a man is
ure to show itself. Honor and probity
nd virtue stamp themselves on the very
ountenance. 1t is impossible to hide
harity. Without preaching or being
ietistic true Catholic will always take.
ne right side in a question where right a
nd wrong are in debate. If he is proper
7 instructed he will defend the right and
lin adherents to bis cause. Without need
circumspection hia conduct will always
9 that of a Christian man. He need
ring up no question of religion. Those
mong whom be ia placed will do that aud
eceive his opinion with respect, if he has
re to offer. And if he be silent through
ignorance, OF worldly prudence, or shame,
that loss to his faith, and to his own
,anhood and dignity
This is the mission of young men and
'omen today to bear the faith about
nth them ard in them, and manifest it to
he world in their very character and
eing. They must show that they are
catholics because they could be nothing
Lee, aud that ali that distinguishes them
rom Others is owing to this faith.