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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA 19 So from these four causes sprang the three oldest Catholic parishes in Georgia—Savannah, Augusta and Locust Grove. As we trace the story of the old Savannah parish, we can see even at this late day the love and devotion these early pioneers had for their faith and the spirit of self-sacrifice that made them persevere in spite of hardship and disaster until the Catholic Church was firmly established as an integral part of Savannah here to remain as long as the city lasts. THE CHURCH AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS. (Continued from Page 8.) their energies and their treasuries, too, to Catholic educational work, as this is one of the best community works they could do. In their zeal for world improvement, they could find no nobler task than this especially in Georgia where such work is so badly needed. We want our organizations to be known as those of workers united for community betterment. There is no community betterment which is more impor tant than the spreading of the gospel, for “what doth it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Miss Hynes’ suggestion that there be united effort among Catholics and non-Catholics in such work should not be ignored by our deep-think ing people. Since there seem to be no millionaire philanthropists willing to endow Catholic works of this kind, it should be the duty of every Catholic organization to let this be their aim and object. Catholic women have gone out into the business and professional world, too, and need protection of community centers for mutual intercourse and amusement and the Catholic organizations should in clude this in their programs of civic betterment. The Catholic Church has never been opposed to women’s rights as long as they are rights. Women’s wrongs she has opposed so long as they were wrongs. But some people have different views on the def inition of those two words rights and wrongs. The Church does not go into politics. Her job is far too big and important to take up time discussing worldly affairs when she has eternal Heaven to pre pare us for. Though often accused of desiring union of Church and State, the Church leaders have declared that the Church does not want such union. Our politics are, therefore, no concern of our Holy Mother Church, unless we place our souls or those of others in jeopardy by what we advocate. The Church does not tell us how many inches from the ground should our skirts reach, or how low should our waists be cut, but we are commanded by this great guide to Heaven to clothe our bodies in decency and modesty as becomes Christian women, and when we disobey a command of the Church we sin. Knowing that the world, in her ignorance of God’s Church, will blame and censure His Holy organiza tion, Catholics should be careful as to their mistakes in questions of public welfare, and should live in such a manner that no criticism is due to them, or to the Church wherein they worship God. CARDINAL GIBBONS ON THE CONSTITUTION. (Continued from Page 1 1 ) and temporary, and are universally regarded as un- American in his religious belief, as it protects him in great wrongs which men have suffered elsewhere in this respect of religion are here unthinkable. “Moreover, because the question of religion had ever been the burning question with the masses who looked eagerly towards America, and were in time destined to come to our shores, the Constitution held out to them the hope that here on this blessed soil opportunity would be given them of worshipping God after the dictates of their own conscience. While the founders of the American Republic could not have foreseen the coming flood of European immigration, they exhibited nevertheless in respect of religion the greatest prudence and closed with practical sagacity the only source of mutual discord and injustice that the Republic had then to fear. “I was quoted in the newspapers a few weeks ago as saying of certain foreign elements in this country that if they did not like our laws, let them return to their own country; and if they did not return they should be made to do so. “Directed as these words are against those who would abuse the liberty of worship and other liberties here offered and who would strive to overthrow the very instrument of their freedom, I offer no apology for these words. In this all-important matter of re ligious liberty, time has proved the wisdom of our founders, and we would be recreant to the trust com mitted to us if we failed to teach and uphold the prin ciples upon which our government rests.’’ “OF THE PEOPLE.” (Continued from Page 5) wards. It is a difficult matter to convert an indi vidual so thoroughly that he will not be influenced by his former habits and notions; but it is far more dif ficult to convert a whole people to such an extent, and so they will change their laws, their customs and their manners, rewrite their literature and let their traditions die. And yet that is exactly what it means for a pagan people having a large civilization of their own, to be reorganized throughout so as to place all their institutions upon a democratic basis. America was born Christian. There is no need to dwell on this fact; our laws and observances extend ing over three hundred years make it clear. In the beginning all our institutions were Christian through and through. We had no pagan traditions, no habits, no literature that belonged to pagan civilization. We were free, unsoiled, like an innocent, untaught child. Here was the place for democracy to be born. The providence of God seems to have destined that the true Christian idea of civil government should be realized in this virginal land of ours and by us be transmitted to the world. It is a noble destiny, a great heritage, a wonderful message we have. What an awful thing it would be if we did not play our part nobly and well! If we ceased to be Christian and no longer a fit vessel to hold the seed of democ racy; if we commenced to be selfish and sought to withhold ourselves from the service of mankind; if we forget that God is the God of nations or that man, made to His image, is born free.