Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 2 March 1911, Page 386

Notes

A Lay Resolution The Christian Brothers' Old Boys' Associationnow entering on its second year of formation — already attained very impressive dimensions; and its membership roll of over 500 includes young men who are rapidly making their mark in medicine, law, business, and the higher avocations generally. It is a hagpy omen for the future of the Church in New Zealand that these young men brainy and capable as they have already proved themselves —have to the full the virile, manly, Catholic spirit; and are neither ashamed nor afraid to publicly proclaim their loyalty to their faith. The resolution passed at their meeting on Tuesday night was a timely one; and the speeches reported elsewhere have the true ring about them. We wish the Association a prosperous future; and feel sure that its members will be found rendering yeoman's service in the strenuous days that are to come. An Anglican Tribute How mean, and petty, and small-minded, appear the carping, cavilling criticisms continually levelled against the Catholic Church By certain diminutive Anglican publications in this country by the side of the following generous tribute from the Anglican Canadian Churchman. We give it as we find it in the pages of the Ave Maria; and we commend its fair-mindedness and breadth of spirit to all whom _it may concern: 'lt is doubtful if there is any country in the world where the Roman Catholic Church wields so much power for good as in the Dominion of Canada, and especially in the Province of Quebec. Here we see it at its best. A recent writer in the London Times, after speaking a little severely of the connection of the Church with politics, concludes with this panegyric on the Quebec priesthood: "Notwithstanding these frequent political conflicts, the pastoral relation between the cures and the French people is ideal. The priests are unfailing springs of wholesome influences. They teach thrift, sobriety, and industry. They are the patient, self-sacri-ficing pastors of a people happy in their social and faithful in their domestic relations,courteous to a fault, and hospitable to a degree. They are of a younger world, perhaps; but any one will find in rural Quebec as much virtue, as much charm, as much of the joy of life, as anywhere else on earth." This is high praise, and it is written by a man on the spot.' * ( On the broad grounds, therefore, of general social wellbeing, we can honestly and heartily congratulate the Roman Catholic Church on its magnificent work in the Province of Quebec, and we have many valuable lessons to learn from them. It is a matter for devout thankfulness that this great Church stands uncompromisingly for the sacredness of the marriage tie, and the consequent stability of the home and family. The whole future of our Christian civilisation is bound up, and will stand or fall, with this. Again, they have borne unflinching witness to the principle of religious education, for which they have made, and are making all over the continent, tremendous sacrifices. And again, they stand for the supernatural in religion,— the truth that Christianity is a divinely instituted system, and has its origin from above and not from below. These three principles of prime importance are now being everywhere questioned and imperilled; and the Roman Catholic Church, in upholding and vigorously defending them, deserves well of the whole of Christendom, and mankind generally. . .' * With a full consciousness of the points at issue between us, and with the profoundest loyalty to our own be loved Church, whose work and influence we would not belittle by one iota, we have unalloyed pleasure in bearing our testimony to the great work now being accomplished by the Roman Catholic Church in Canada, and to her loyalty to those fundamental principles inexpressibly dear to myriads outside her own communion.' However widely we may differ on doctrinal points, one can respect and admire a paper that is capable of such a manly utterance. 1 or the small-souled publication that, month by month, has nothing better than a chronic snarl about 'Rome' and Komamsts, we have a very different kind of feeling