QUITE OLD FASHIONED

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 18, 16 August 1928, Page 3

QUITE OLD FASHIONED

NATIONALIST IDEAS. EFFECT OF PROPAGANDA. "Where once men thought, of Catholics as possessing a somewhat remote and exotic creed and worship of their: own, they now took it for granted that Catholicism implied a universal philosophy \o£ life, and that Catholics, priests and laymen, must be expected to have a view, hased on some principle, of everything that cropped up from Rugby football to a new sort of art." In these words Father Cyril Mavtindale, S.J., the eminent English priest, explained the changed attitude toward Catholicism in a sermon which he preached at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, before a large congregation, says the Sun. Father Martindale, although now recovered from the effects of his recent motor accident, still had his head bandaged. A quiet, precise speaker, blending theology with brilliant wit and tolerance, he made the glittering impression that the Oxford man always does. At the opening of his sermon Father Martindale derided the disbeliefs of Rationalism and the gloomy materialistic outlook. He said that since he had been in Auckland various non-Catholic organisations and a Rationalist one had sent him their publications. "The little 'Rationalist journal interested me," he said, "because it seemed to be one of the few quiet old-fashiond things I have met in this modern country. In it, I breathe th c air of mid-Victorian memories." The preacher went on to say that one writer had quoted him as' saying that materialism was on the increase in 'England. This aad been nailed 'as good news for the British Rationalist Press Asosciation and Secular Society. "Alas, how those name date him," said Father Martindale. "They might nave had significance about 1900, out even during the war I was | surprised to sec how utterly with-

out effect air'that had been upon the ordinary soldiers. "A man's religion- migut not be orthodox' by Church of England or Nonconiormist standards, out a religion of his own he certainly did rnave, and not all the R.P.A. publications, .which he • rarely - came across, would have shifted him from it. 1 see innac-nces irtac may produce a materialist generation, but they.are connected with machinery, for "example, and have nothing what*ever to do with' rationalist arguments. / Denominations lamented that they could not fill their churches; but the Catholics knew too well that they could not build churches fast enough. " % "When reporters ask me why churches are empty," he said, "1 reply," "Cur's are inconveniently full." Father Martindale, continuing, said there would be no sudden conversion- of England to the faith, but a strong set toward it could be looked for among many, and a drift of *.he rest into a vague theism coupled with a reverence for. the name of Chris't.