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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA 5. THE BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY THE BISHOP OF SAVANNAH. Quite recently during a campaign in Atlanta when the question of having the Bible read in the public schools was voted on, a number of very erroneous and very foolish statements were made regarding the attitude of Catholics and the Catholic Church towards the Bible. Though the Laymen’s Association has al ready published a little work on this question, I do not think it will be amiss to say a word about it in The Bulletin. Our viewpoint about the relations between us and our Protestant neighbor has always been that if they understood exactly what we believe and teach, these relations would be much better. The truth is that they do not come to us for information, but ask those who are opposed to us. To correct their wrong impression, then, we must go to them with our side of the matter. Now, I think that the vast majority of Protestants have at least these two ideas firmly fixed in their minds: 1. Catholics are not permitted by the Catholic Church to read the Bible. 2. Protestantism practically discovered the Bible and gave it to the world. Now, before giving an answer to these statements I think it would be well to state clearly what every Catholic is bound to believe about the Bible. The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is the inspired word of God; that very properly and cor rectly God is called and is the Author of it, for the men who wrote it, did so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Now let me take up each statement. The first is: Catholics are not permitted by the Church to read the Bible. I answer that this statement is not true. My denial ought to be enough, but I will give proofs. Here is an extract from a letter sent in 1884 to all the Catholics of the United States and signed by every Catholic Bishop in the United States: “It can hardly be necessary for us to remind you that the most highly valued treasure of every family library and the most frequently and lovingly made use of should be the Holy Scripture. You have be fore your eyes prefixed to the Douay version of the Holy Bible the exhortation of Pius VI, to the Arch bishop of Florence that the faithful should be moved to the reading of the Holy Scriptures; for these are most abundant sources which ought to be left open for every one to draw from their purity of morals and of doctrine to eradicate the errors which are so widely disseminated in these corrupt times; St. Paul declares that what things soever were written, were written for our learning; that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope (Rom. XV-4). We hope that no family can be (Continued on Page Ten) WHAT THE DEVIL LIKES BEST. Once upon a time, the devil held an anniversary meeting and called upon his princes to report what they had done on earth to hinder the Kingdom of Christ. One emissary said he had turned loose some wild beasts, who destroyed some missionaries. The chief of devils said “That’s nothing; you can’t hurt a Chris tian by killing him.’’ Another one reported that he had wrecked a ship, and many Christians were drowned. The devil said, “You have done nothing. You can kill a Christian, but his influence still lives.’’ The third reported that he had set fire to a large church, which became a total wreck. “They will re build, and be stronger than ever,’’ said the chief. The fourth one, with great pride, said that he got two different denominations into a quarrel. The devil clapped his hands for joy and said: “You have done more than the others combined. That is the best way to hinder the progress of the Kingdom of Christ on earth.’’ Exchange. COVINGTON “FREEZES” ANTI- CATHOLIC SPEAKER. Covington, Ky.—When Mayor Thomas Donnelly was asked recently to rent the public library hall to a man named Jackson to give an anti-Catholic lec ture to “expose the awful condition prevailing at the home of the Good Shepherd nuns,’* he called in Louis Phillips, probation officer, a Mason, and inquired about the institution. Phillips, who is a member of the Junior Order, said he could not speak in high enough terms of the home; Jackson was refused the library hall, and also the Masonic, Moose and Eagle halls. Mayor Donnelly then got into communication with the mayor of Newport, who declared that he would be ready for Jackson when the latter appeared there.—The Catholic Bulletin (Cleveland) Aprjl 16, 1920. I During January it is the intention of the State officers to visit the cities of Columbus and Athens to report to the laymen therein the work of the past year. Officers of the Association are asked to see that all Catholics get due notice of the meeting. Dur ing February visits will be made to the mission towns of Central Georgia and in February South Georgia will be covered. Every member of the Catholic Laymen’s Associa tion is entitled to a copy of The Bulletin each month. Officers of the auxiliary associations are asked to see that the publicity department, Room 409 Herald Building, is notified whenever any member fails to receive his or her copy. Others desiring The Bulletin can secure it by sending $2.00 for a year’s subscrip tion to the above address.