The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-02-12

mostly Frenchmen, hence so many of our
western towns. lakes and rivers have
Gallic and holy names. There is but one
word which may express ones a,lmr2-
tion for the deeds of French missionaries
III our country, and that is exclamation
OF Louis XIV. when he saw the Irish
Brigade charge at Fontenoy. "Magni-
tcent." he said
F'renchmen at homo seconded with
their money the personal sacrifices of
their countrymcn abroad, and in 1920,
under the guidance of Bishop Forbin
Janson, who had visited the United
States. certain laymen Of Lyons founhc,:
the Society for the Propagation of tn.
Faith. The aid it gave, and still gives,
our church is very considerable, ana
indeed we could not have. got along at
all as we'll without it, just think.
Since 1922 the central committee has
sent us no less than five million four
hundred thousand dollars. l think
there is not a single diocese OF ours but
is Indebted to this noble organization
and though most Of our bishops no long
or need their aims, yet a few Of them are
still helped in this way
And what have we ourselves done for
the work of this splendid society? Very
little, must say. While the inhabitant
Of France has for Il long time back
contributed an average Of three cents a
year to the Propagation OF the Faith,
the Catholic American has scarcely be-
slowed one sixth of one cent. or course
we have. with Gods blessing, done woa-
ders. We have not moved mountains,
perhaps, but we have raised them in the
way Of building churches, schools, asy
lums, etc. We have preserved the faith
among the masses Of our immigrants,
and this is very much the same as pro-
pagating it. Now that we arc. most of
us, in what may be considered easy cir
cumstahces, should we not think not
only OF our needy brethren within the
limits of tho republic, but also OF the
heather world beyond The rights Of
property are sacred. and TO the owner be-
must still remember that they are only
towards of God and that their surplus
belongs to the disinhcritcd ones. This
is true of church as we'll us of indvid-
uals.
When will we Catholics initiate the
various Protestant societies in their en-
| doavor to Chrsianizc the world, In
view of their strenuous efforts. can We
sit coldly and idly in the selfish en-
ioyment of our blessed lot" Verify they
appear to be wiser in their generation
than the children of light" ID W.
know. all Of us. that the non Catholic
Christians of these United States alone
send more than six million dollars y
year to support missions abroad. not
to speak of what they spend ON those at
home, while all the Catholics of tho
world contribute for the Society of For
Cign Missions not more than Il million
even from an cnGmy" according To the
provcrb. 1t is true that on account 0,
| the poverty, cclibacy and obedience of
| our missionaries, they arc able, despite
| their small resources. to do far mere
| than those others with all their money
! this all travellers acknowledge but
there is no doubt the results would be
moro satisfactory if the means were
greater.
Over three hundred doccscs and vicar
iates apostolic. with their priests, nuns.
churches. orphanngcs and schools, are
mainly supported by that million and
quarter collected by the Society for
the Propagation Of the Faith. Oh! ii
we of the United States would contribute
our share. gold or mite. what an impetu
1t would give to the civilizing and sane
tifying OF the world. Perhaps we priests
might on reflection think well to do
without some unnecessary expenditure
in our church buildings. houses, etc, and
raise new and living temples to God
So will blessing come back to u.s. and
we will not be Obliged to bar our gates
against heather foreigner, but will
welcome brothers in faith and civilian
ton; so will our people become GU
larged in their ideas of the peoples OF
the globe and OF the size and variety
Of our great Catholic family; 50 will
all our bosoms glow with generosity ana
love; for the Holy Ghost, who inllamcu
tho apostles on the day He sent them
forth to convert the world. will fill tho
hearts of all who do their part in spread
ing tho light of the truth and renew
bread upon the running waters; for af
ter a long time thou shalt find 1t again"
-ILccIes. XII, ]. e. McSW EIINEY
To Cure Consultation Forever