THE LAY APOSTOLATE IN ENGLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 3 July 1919, Page 18

THE LAY APOSTOLATE IN ENGLAND

". Writing from London on March 20 to his uncle (his s Grace Archbishop Redwood), Mr. Vernon C. Redwood continues his narrative concerning the activities of the Catholic Evidence Guild, of which he is a prominent member. I am delighted (he says) to tell you that our work is succeeding splendidly. Since we started our public speaking, and propaganda, generally, the opposition towards us has been intense. Atheists, Rationalists, Orangemen, Kensitites, and extreme Protestant sects of all kinds have urged the police authorities to stop our work. Detectives have been sent Sunday after Sunday to our open-air meetings, and have reported that we gave no cause whatever for interference, although organised attempts were made to prevent us speaking. For over a month now we have not been molested, and have experienced the satisfaction of seeing practically the whole of the objectionable element cleared out of Hyde Park. Our platform is now recognised as the first in interest and importance in the Park. Our speakers, who go on at about 3 p.m. and continue, in succession, till nearly 11 o'clock at night, command the largest crowd. The number of hearers, of course, varies, and depends upon the time and speakers : thus sometimes there are about 400, and at other times probably as many as 2000. It is very evident the people are thirsting for knowledge, and we gain converts every Sunday. We have now commenced a week-day crusade, and on Tuesdays and Fridays deliver addresses from 1 p.m. to 2.15 p.m., on Tower Hill. A large crowd of workers come there for lunch, and, what I consider was an historical event, happened there the other day, when, under the banner of our Guild (the Crucifix), a Dominican Father spoke for an hour, and answered many questions. His address was a great success, and delivered, as it was, on the historic hill bedewed with the blood of martyrs, was certainly most impressive. He was listened to with great attention by upwards of 400 persons, and photographs of the scene were taken for one of our Catholic newspapers. We are promised the assistance of one of the Dominican Fathers each week. I feel certain that with, the co-operation of the parochial clergy, with the assistance of the preaching Orders, and continued activity on the part of a body of energetic laymen and women, England will be converted, and the good work will' extend to other lands; the present movement being destined to spread. The lay apostles or catechists are now being talked about far and wide. His Eminence Cardinal Bourne, who has been away for some time on a mission for the British Government, is expected back soon, and, I am sure, he will be delighted at our progress and success. It is a tremendous work for Almighty God, who repeatedly shows us by converts on the spot that it is His work. Our sale of Catholic books'and pamphlets goes on every Sunday. We hope to open at other places shortly, but our work is terribly handicapped for want of sufficient speakers; we want ■ hundreds, as there is no trouble to get audiences*. Now the Dominican- Fathers have come out in London, others will follow, but the lay speakers must do the bulk of the work, as the priests, in sufficient numbers, are not available. One outstanding fact has been revealed ■ to us, and that is the absolute necessity of Catholics thoroughly understanding their holy religion, so_ as to be prepared to properly answer simple questions i asked by non-Catholics. Among my hearers the other day was a wealthy gentleman from Warwickshire, where his estates are located, but who, lives in London \at intervals. At the conclusion of my address he apl proached me and said : "I have listened to your lectures I during six or seven ; Sundays, and noted how 'you tried Ito prove that the Catholic \ Church is the only , Church having Divine-authority, and you have firmly convinced

me of that fact. I believe everything the Church teaches, and I want to become a Catholic, and to bring all my family into the true fold." I spoke, a fortnight ago, from 3 to 4.30 p.m., and, in the absence of another appointed lecturer, who was unable to come, went on again from 7 to 7.40, and was not subjected to even one interjection, and no questions were asked (an exceptional case, of course). How keen the people, are for knowledge! Speaking in the open-air to a large crowd is a heavy task every Sunday, all through the winter (except one of unceasing rain), we have spoken for seven and a-half to eight hours in snow, frost, wind, and showery weather— tough job. Now we are recognised as a fixture in Hyde Park and elsewhere. The clergy are taking more and more interest in our. doings, and, since I commenced to write this letter, we have had a Franciscan priest on our platform on Tower Hill. He was just splendid, and at question time answered in such a lucid, convincing manner, that the people cheered him. Besides the locality of our meetings already indicated, we hold others, in different streets, with, success. In other words, we are steadily spreading, and many more men and women may, please God, help in the great work. »