Norwich bulletin., 1914-01-31

not only of Catholics, but of the great body of sincere no Catholic Americans as to the attitude of the church upon the great questions touching morality and affecting civil society.
 This idea originated with the Fourth Degree of the order, and tentative proposals were made about one year ago looking towards putting this lecture movement upon a systematic and permanent basis. It was the in tention at that time to organize and conduct the movement under the aus- pices of the Fourth Degree of the ord er It is a movement which is pecull- arly within the scope of the work Of the Fourth Degree membership, and in many sections of the country this work has been carried on to great ad- vantage locally by the members. No effort, however, has been made to nationalize the movement so as to coy- CT the country from one end to the other until the matter was taken up by the Fourth Degree. The Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is the highest branch of the order to which a member may attain. The honor can be acquired only after two years faithful membership in the min l or degrees of the order and compliance with certain prerequisites specified in 1 the laws. Its principle is patriotism. It appeals to the highest intelligence 1 in the order. It is a factor of great ed l -ucational and moral value to both church and country. It has great pos
 abilities as a tangible and workable institution for the accomplishment of 1 good and noble purposes independent of the membership composing the oth- 1 CT degrees. It's members are generally men of affairs, intelligence, education, 1 refinement and culture. They have an 1 influence upon all non-Catholics with I whom they associate, and consequent l ly great responsibility rests upon | them. They owe it to themselves and l to the order to make known to the public at large the great religious l truths and the great civic truths for
 which the cultured Catholic gentleman
 stands. The aggregate body Of men, | therefore, composing this branch of the order is a distinctive factor in the social and moral life of the country. | In a sense it is a religious and educa- | tionaI factor. It puts into practice among a highly intelligent class for l the view of all people the teachings of the Roman Catholic church. It car
 and private lives, It consequently de- yelops higher and better citizenship | It's patriotism Is Virile. Its Catholicity is militant. It seeks by the spread of | intelligence ana o1 the hnOWle060 Ol the moral code of the Catholic church ! to make lasting foundation for civil society and civil government. It has no quarrel with Christians of any de- nominations, It's quarrel is with ig- norance unbelief and atheism, whicf constitute a menace to society, In 2 word, it is strong lay adjunct of the church. It is a right arm of the na- ton should it's institutions or it's lift become impefiled.
 Conversion of America Possible.
 1t needs but little argument to show the benefits which would flow from
 movement of this character, It is
 mistaken notion to believe that tht
 order is setting cut by this Hs~emen to convert America. That is but al incident It may fellew and it ma!
 aet. ii 1t does, the result will eeF
 tainiy be ef lasting benefit beth t,
 saeiety and this republic. There is n' aeaabf, however, that the membership ef tiae church Weuld be greatly aug
 fneHfed iR the es4EEe ef time by thi
 work, especially fFeTH the iateIligen nen- -Catheiie Aneriean class. 1t Is
 fact patent to all observers wha Ret the conversions made in England an'
 America during recent years that tn
 1 doctrines and faith of the Catholi l chuBeh appeal to intelligent and intel . leetual men. Intellectual and eaPabl Gathelie laEHaeR wGuid Rseauss a REa