The Catholic bulletin., 1920-06-19
WORK OF KNIGHTS OF COLUM-
BUS.

4
Addressing the Window, Mimi.
knights of Columbus recently, Rev.
Robert Hughes said in part:
The Knights of Columbus is so,
ciety approved and fostered by. the
Church, because of the faithful ad-
herence of its members to her teach
ing, and it was admired by the nation
because of it's triumph over the oppo-
sition of narrow-minded bigots who,
enemies of law and order and perse-
Cutors of virtue, induStriously calumi-
mated the Knights of Columbus.
In every court of justice, eminent
juristS generously consider the ac-
cused party innocent until proven
guilty. In the case of the Knights of
Columbus, this time honored custom,
was reversed. Brought before the bar
of public opinion, blind prejudice, in
the absence of any evidence, most un-
justly proclaimed them unpatriotic,
dangerous and disloyal. When the
lowering clouds of war cast their dark
shadows upon our shores threatening
the destruction of our liberties; yea
was offered the society to refute this
foul calumny: and we'll did it use
the opportunity.
In the hour of the Nations dis
tress, when the acid test of sacrifice
was loyalty's final proof. the knights
of Columbus showed their love for
the Stars and Stripes by their BRAY
cry in defense of the nations honor.
Pagans, who worshipped material
success, made God of opportunity.
To this abstract idea which they be-
Neved necessary for any great
achievement they gave a personality,
and deified it. Even enlightened
Christianity does not deny that the
occasion makes heroes: but only those
who are in a position and prepared,
can avail themselves of the advan-
tages it offers.
The thought that those who have
gone before us plucked the fruit in
the field where we intended to labor
is temptation to Incidence. | re-
member, once, talking to an old man.,
whose sons were remarkably clever,
about his nephews who were extreme
ly unsuccessful. He said: "The
trouble with them, sir, is they think
they were born to be gentlemen, but
when they came they found the place
occupied
The truly great who have gone be-
fore us were not usurpers, but lead
ers. who through an unexplored will
derness of doubt, hIazed a path to
the citadel of certainty.
A grateful world gives them a niche
in the Temple Of Fame, while the
memory of their achievements beck
ons us to a higher plane of action.
Great men arc always men of active
energy. In lifes battle the children
of the rich often become the hewers
of wood and carriers of water. They
fail Notwithstanding their advantages
of education: because they know not
the distinction between learning and
knowledge. Learning is an acquain-
tance with what others have thought,
result of what we ourselves have
thought, and felt and done. In the
history of the human race no age,
ever before, offered wider field for
cultivation, or promised a richer re-
ward for beneficent activity.
The wall of suffering humanity has
reached our ears. Relief, for the al
most universal distress of nations
can come only from leaders of men
who hate oppression, and are guided
by principles rooted in justice.
The boasted civilization of the
twentieth century is tottering to its
ruin. Only practical Christianity can
stay it's threatened destruction. In
vain do we preach the Fatherhood of
God and the brotherhood of man, un.
less these great truths give form and
color to our conduct. Our industrial
system is breaking down and must
fall before the united protest of dis
contented labor, as surely as fell the
walls of Jericho before the united
shout Of Israel, unless a remedy be
quickly found.
Equitable laws which will bring re
lief to the poor must be enacted. The
workmen will no longer bear labors
heavy burden on his bleeding shoul
ders, unless sustained by the hope
that he is toiling onward and upward
to better conditions for himself and
his children.
Government must be made ma
chine of protection rather than an
engine of destruction, if it is to re
tain the respect of the governed.