The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-01-21

duu progress OIL the CnuTCn. we SHOULD
still have to know how this years cen
sus compares with last years; how
much of the increase is due to immi-
grafton, how much to natural growth,
etc. Hence it is evident that over and
above the actual gathering of data,
there must be correct classification
and Interpretation. The average man
is helpless before long rows of statis-
tics. He needs summarized results
with salient points plainly indicated.
It is only in this way that real re-
suits can be obtained, and this is not a
work to be done offhand as the figures
are needed. Patient study is required
and not little experience in reading
beneath the bare numerals. Too often
the statistics reveal but one side; they
tell us only of what we are doing and
are silent regarding the proportion of
work done to work needed. 1t may
afford us great satisfaction to hear
how many children are cared for in
the orphan asylum. But who is to tell
us how many have to be turned away
because that orphan asylum is already
crowded to it's utmost capacity? Who
is to give us even hint of the num-
bers who never get near enough to
knock at the gates of the asylum, but
are snatched up at once by Protestant
institutions Or swallowed up in the vor-
tex of the poverty-ridden multitude?
The vastness of the undertaking
should not dismay us. The collecting
of adequate statistics covering every
notable feature of Catholic endeavor
must be the work of years. 1t is ours
to make start, be that start as hum
BILE as it may. The work will grow
and each succeeding laborer in the
good cause will find his task less wear
isome because of the exertions of his
predecessors. We may hope in time
to realize an organization capable of
supplying correct statistics on short
notice and having a central bureau to
which records of results and require
ments will be forwarded from every
part of the land and from which writ
ers, lecturers, students and the gener-
al public can secure necessary infor-
nation on living questions. Every
step in this direction will place us in
a more advantageous position for bet
tering our work and for meeting the
sneers~ and criticisms of our foes.
Protestants and unbelievers are only
too eager to seize on statistics and
turn them against the Church. 1t is
not long since Catholic Ireland was
accused of illiteracy on the strength
of statistics which counted as litter
ate even the infant in the cradle.
Though we are generally confident
THAT there is mistake somewhere
when we see marshalling of figures
against our holy religion; it is often
next to impossible to detect the error
and expose it until long after it has
been propagated and has produced it's
baneful effects With proper statistics
at hand the task of removing the in
cubus of error from the public mind
would be lightened considerably.
| We have here mapped out for us
| a long and arduous campaign. 1t is
an essential part of the battle for souls
and for the triumph of Catholic prin-
ciples.
This work may not hold out the at
fractions of more ostentatious exer-
tons; it may demand hearts willing
to forego the thrill of popular applause
and ephemeral praise, but we know
| that in protracted war it is not only
the dashing cavalry charge or the bril-
liant naval victory that makes posi-
BILE the ultimate triumph. Behind the
actual combatants there must be
strong hearts and clear heads to plan
the campaign and provide the sinews
of war. If we, in our ignorance, can
understand this, how much more does
the Heavenly Father regard even the
most hidden laborer and apportiOn His
praises and rewards, not according to
the measure of ostentation connected
with the work, but according to it's
real value and the fidelity and self.
sacrifice with which it is performed?
| Central BIat