The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-07


their equipment and the results
have been 50 satisfactory that it is
not unlikely that they will come
into more general use. "A book
rack, or a substitute for it, can be
easily constructed but if one pre-
fers to have one of the regulation
style and make that has been
found best adapted to the purpose,
it can be purchased from the In
ternational Catholic Truth Society
of Brooklyn, n. Y, for a few dol
lars.
The success Of the book rack
depends largely on the judgment
and care exercised in selecting it's
contents. 1t will not do to stock
it with costly literature. The five
and ten cent pamphlets are the
best sellers; but, occasionally,
more expensive books may be
added. The publications Of the
Catholic Truth Society, Brooklyn,
New York, which can be had in
quantities at very moderate cost,
are admirably adapted to this pur-
pose.
The book rack should be kept
well filled with a varied selection
Of Catholic literature and the at
tention of the people called to it
on Sunday. In some churches the
pastor selects a certain pamphlet
or book, gives a brief outline Of it's
contents and advises the people to
procure copies for further study
as they leave the church. It has
been proved again and again says
a writer in the London Tablet that
if cheap pamphlets care placed in
front Of people, and a sufficient
variety Of choice is provided, peo-
pie will buy them, and, presuma-
bly,, read them, and having read
them, they cannot fail to take a
greater interest in their religion,
to be prouder of being Catholics,
and more willing to give their time
and energies, not only to a more
fervent practice Of their religious
duties, but to a determined effort
to spread the knowledge Of their
faith whenever an opportunity
arises
In this and other ways Catholics
can be educated into a love fol-
wholesome literature dealing with
various phases of Catholic activity
and thus taught to appreciate the
doctrines and practices Of the
Church and to defend them, when
necessary, against the attacks Of
their enemies. The value Of such
a work for religion is incalculable
In this connection it may not be
uninteresting to quote from ar
editorial in America" in which
statistics are given to show what
has been done in Europe for the
dissemination Of Catholic litera
ture:
eve are continually pattins
ourselves on the back for the
thoroughbred Catholicity Of tht
United States. Some things, ne
doubt, we do fairly we'll, but II
this particular we might we'll take
hint from our friends, the Eu
ropeans. Thus, for instance, there
is one country with only $4,000,
600 Catholics, where they sell {
million Of Catholic pamphlets
every year. Or if we prefer t.
take Great Britain and Ireland a.
an example we shall find that al
though they have only about
100000 Catholics, yet since they
have begun to organize in behali
Of Catholic literature they have
sold a million and a quarter copie:
Of devotional series, $4,000 Of {
book Of meditations, 100000
copies of a simple prayer book
! 100000 pamphlets dealing will
Protestant misstatements, $4,000
discussing the various aspects O.
the Anglican controversy, $500,
: 600 Catholic story books, 1,878,OO(
of biographical series, 100000
. of a religious and scientific series
to say nothing Of pamphlets deal
: ing with art, music, education, his
tory and social questions.
Have we anything like that K
, show in the United States, will
: our 100000 Catholics?"