The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-12-19

Why did the Catholics Of New Zea-
land oppose the introduction of the
Bible into the public schools?
The people who wished to introduce
the Bible into the public schools were
the aggressive Professionals whose
watchword is: The Bible, and the
Bible only, without note or comment.
What they wanted, therefore, was that
their own religion be taught at public
expense to all children, Catholic, Prot
estant, and Jew. This manifest injus-
tice was opposed, not only by CathO-
lies, but also by the most enlightened
members of the non-Catholic commun-
ity. If the Catholics of New Zealand
had not protested against it, the advo-
Gates of bible Religion" as they call
themselves, would have claimed the
adoption of the measure, as a Protes-
tant triumph; they would have said
that the Catholics admitted the truth
of the Protestant principle. But the
Catholics would not allow that prin-
ciple to be forced upon them, and
would not for moment even seem to
admit that it is true. Again, the
bible Christians" avowed their aim
to use the Bible in the schools for the
purpose of perverting the Catholic
children and making Professionals out
of them; to this the Catholic parents
naturally objected. Moreover, the
bible Christians" wanted to force
upon the school their own version of
the Bible, cut down and twisted as it
was by the founders of Professionalism
so as to support them in their rejec-
ton of such Catholic truths as did not
meet with their approval. Bible
Christians" are split up into hundreds
Of warning sects, who agree in moth
ing except opposition to the principle
of Unity established by our Lord.
Several non-Catholics in New Zealand
spoke strongly against the introduc-
ton of the Bible into the schools for
this very reason, and they insisted
particularly upon the experience of the
people of the state Of New South
Wales, among whom the adoption Of
the measure had caused recrudes-
cence of the bitterest sectarianism.
These are the principal reasons which
induced the New Zealand government
to reject the measures of the 'Bible
Christians"
Why do not the daily papers publish
the facts about Mexico? Why do they
gIorify Villa, ViIlareaI and the rest of
them? Why do they let the govern
ment of this country down so easily
for its utter failure to do any good in
Mexico?
Some attribute it to prejudice;
others to desire not to embarrass
the administration. 1t is difficult to
get at the real reason for this silence
in regard to the outrages in Mexico.
Another reason is the want of unity
and courage among Catholics them
selves. Sixteen millions of Catholics
acting as one man could do at least
as much as the Jews did for their
friends in Russia, and the MethOdiSts
for their people in Turkey. If Pres
byterians or Baptists in Mexico were
outraged, robbed or murdered by Villa
and his gang there would be Amer
lean blueiackets in Vera Cruz for an
other while; and the pulpits of the
land would resound with appeals to
the God of Battles uttered by men
who say now that Europe has shocked
them. Some papers give the facts and
their candid and emphatic opinion
about them; and others would do the
same If they were as free as they
would like to be. A few rejoice over the
whole chaotic business and call Villa,
Villareal, etc. 'reformers" precisely
because that sanity crowd are doing
so we'll in their chosen task of abol-
fishing religion in Mexico; among
these may be counted a section of
the religious" press of few small
sects
Is it right for Catholic to contri-
butte to non-cathoIie Missions?
No. How shall they preach unless
they be SENT says st. Paul; (Rom.
X, 15.C The two words Apostle"
and Missionary come from the
Greek and Latin words respectively
meaning ito send" In the correct
sense of the term an Apostle, Mis-
sionary, is one sent by our Lord or
His authentic representatives to
preach His Gospel with authority; the
mission or sending was direct and
personal in the case of the first Chris
tian Missionaries whom we call
'Apostles" by excellence; after their
time it was indirect or mediate, that
is. st. Paul, st. Peter and the other
Apostles sent other missionaries to
continue their work, and they did this
in virtue of authority given by our
Lord Himself Heretics at all times
have tried to initiate them; but they
have been met and foiled by the de-
mand for proofs of their authority,
they have never been able to anthem
ticate their mission. Some of them
have admitted this quite candidly;
adding, however, that no authentic
commission from God is required, that
they have only their own personal
guesses as to what Christ said and
meant and did, to put before the world,
and that the world is quite free to re-
iect those gilesses and would be none
the worse for the rejection. To help
non-Catholic missions is to help organ
lied opposition to the Church of God.