The San Francisco call., 1908-10-18

NEW YORK. oct. 1.-THE first
American Catholic Missionary congress.
about TO be held in Chicago, grows in
importance as the date approaches for
the opening session. 1t is now stated
that 50 or more bishops and abbots
viii be present The archbishops of
Boston. Quebec, Cincinnati, Toronto,
New Orleans, Milwaukee, Dubuque, Chi
eago, and other cities, viii take an
active part
The congress. which meets on the
invitation of the Catholic church extern
sion society, will not confine its atten-
ton to that one work; but a session
has been set aside for every missionary
cause. Church extension. negroes, IN
dians, missions to non-Catholics, caring
for our immigrants. and other works,
viii each be considered in its own
special session.
The congress Will last four days. 1t
convenes just at the time that the
church in the United States is taking
its place among the great divisions of
the Catholic church, and passes from
the care Of the apropa ganda TO the po-
sition Of a church established under
the cannon law governing the fullgrown
churches of Christendonl, Many fervent
q CAS III bc lOE the SUCCESS
Of the congress, and intense interest
viii be felt in its progress and ultimate
fruits.
LECTURES on SPIRITISM
J. godfrey Raupert, whose lectures
on spiritism or s'spiritualism," have
aroused deep interest among Catholics
in Europe and in England, is now in
augurating a similar course in this
i. solT liz
to the educational centers, Notre Dame
university being his present headquar-
ters here. Raupert has had special en-
couragement from Plus X to carry on
his work, and Cardinal Merry del Val
has requested Raupert to keep him in
formed as 10 his success in this
country
The special interest attaching to
these lectures lies in the fact that the
lecturers conclusions are based not on
authoritative teaching, but on deduc-
tiOns and differences drawn from his
own prolonged and accurate study and
observation of the wonders of spiritism.
While still Protestant, Raupert had
excellent opportunities for expert
mentally studying the subject; and his
connection for number of years with
the society OF psychical research has
made him intimately acquainted with
the modern movement in all its phases.
The Catholic clergy are noting the
widespread interest in spiritism now
being manifested all over the world.
As religion becomes weaker in a COM
munity these phenomena always reap
pear; and it is necessary that Catho-
lies be fOrewarned as to the peculiar
danger attending the study Of spirit
manifestations. Savants Of worldwide
reputation are now treating these
problems with all seriousness; and it
is interesting TO Catholics TO note
where their conclusions or opinions are
in touch with the church's teachings
and where the latter fills in the
gaps that they have still left incom-
plete.
II is now recognized that serious
losses are sustained daily By the church
through the careless meddling with
these problems on the part of Catho-
lies. Raupert's lectures are an excel
lent antidote TO the contagion; and
hence the holy father earnestly desires
that he be as widely received and
listened to by Catholics as possible.
UNIVERSITY FOR JAPAN
Plus Y, with the sanction of the
emperor of Japan, is founding in that
country a university college at Tokyo,
which shall represent the Catholic faith
IN Japan from an intelligent standpoint.
This important work is entrusted TO
the Jesuits. who first founded the
church in Japan. but who have been
excluded from that country since the
end of the seventeenth century.
/ Still another important establishment
has been made in Tokyo by the French
secular priests IN that city. This is a
4 residence house for students who at
tend the various schools connected
with the Imperial university. These
students. reside in all five divisions of
the capital, and are said TO number
20. 600 young men. They come from
every part of the country, support
themselves on very little, and are left
! absolutely free 10 live as they like
when outside the halls of the univer-
sity.
Attached to this residence house is
hall used for conferences. debates and
theatrical entertainments; also a small
chapel for religious exercises and lee
lures on Catholic philosophy and Cath
/ Ole doctrine, and a recreation ground
/ for tennis, rackets and other games.
MANY Of the students who join the es-
/ tablishment for one or other of its
advantages, before they leave it, ex-
press a wish TO be instructed in the
faith.
Another recent event is the estab-
lishment of a new convent school for
japanese ladies of tise highest class.
under the Sacred Heart nuns, who were
sent simultaneously for this purpose
from Australia, London and Dublin.
TheS report a most encouraging out
/ look for their undertaking.
lCHURCHMEN REMAIN FAITHFUL
II many things seem to indicate the
decadence of religion in italy and
France, there are many others indicat-
ing It's survival despite the steady per-
secution maintained by the authorities
to destroy ii.
A seminarian soldier in the French
army has recently told of the edif1ca-
tion given him, not only by many of
his companions, but by officers of high
rank who. despite petty persecution
on the part of the government, remain
faithful 10 their religious duties. All
but three of a whole regiment refused