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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
and defend the faith in the face of unreasonable and
traditional hatred. And the Church in that Southern
state is growing stronger, owing chiefly to the initia
tive and vigor manifested by the Laymen’s Associa
tion.
THE FIELD OF LAY ACTIVITY.
(Among recent letters was one from an Atlanta
lady that contains so much food for thought, so many
suggestions of merit that the editors of The Bulletin
have obtained permission to print it here. With
that clarity of vision so characteristically feminine
that we refer to is as “woman’s intuition,’’ she has
outlined a field of endeavor that is nothing short of
inspirational. We commend it to Georgia Catholics.)
I would like to compliment the Association over
its splendid work in Georgia, and over The Bulletin,
which is full of the most interesting thought.
“The Catholic Laymen’s Duties” is an inspirational
article of high merit.
I have long been restless and uneasy over the ma
licious slanders given our Church by Georgia writers,
and have felt it gave an impression that such slanders
were the truth where not answered.
Do you notice the tremendous activity among the
Protestant Churches, their close co-operation in the
Inter-Church World Movement, their social work for
the poor and illiterate, etc., which is just in its in
fancy?
Do you notice the vast amounts of money given
by them for France, Belgium and Italy for charitable
and religious purposes? That means the taking away
from us of some of our Catholic members.
Evidently such union among Protestants that is
in the distant future—means a coming back to the
fold of the Catholic Church. It is the beginning of
the unity of Churches. But in the meantime it means
danger for the Catholic Church, to which our well-
meaning, but separated, brethren will return.
It means danger for us if our own household is
not well united. Our laymen need to organize into
strong societies, which will hold their own members
together in social and educational ways, then in order
to show as a body what the Catholic Church stands
for, in my humble opinion we might use our Catholic
societies to co-operate with their agencies like the
Federation of Women’s Clubs, and similar men’s or
ganizations while preserving our own individuality
with the guidance of our spiritual directors, would
strengthen our positions in the world.
Such work as the Knights of Columbus have done
in the war has already brought about a kinder feel
ing and more understanding of the Catholic spirit.
We need free entertainments, social affairs of all
sorts to bring our young people together, so that they
may marry in the Church. Mixed marriages in the
United States have caused a big loss to us in the
children raised as Protestants. Our converts most
certainly need attention, for their faith is not born in
them as ours would seem to be, and they need to
be strengthened with Catholic companionship.
Boy Scout organizations encouraging out-of-door
life and high principle, would keep many young boys
out of mischief and safe in clinging to the sacraments
perhaps. These have lately been approved by the
Pope.
Societies of business women in large cities allied
in the Federation of Business and Professional Women
would give companionship and entertainment to them,
find them good boarding houses, if strangers, etc.
Isolated Catholics in country districts often lose
their faith. We should reach out to them a consoling
and helping hand.
Organization and social work is the order of the
day and to meet the great dangers of Socialism,
Atheism, Spiritualism and other isms sweeping the
country. The Catholic Laymen should rise up in
all their great strength, Catholic schools should be
helped and financed most liberally. Scholarships
should be established, as many as possible, so as to
give our Catholic boys and girls educational advan
tages in colleges, Catholic colleges, wherever possible.
We can not do too much in this direction, for so few
of our boys and girls attend universities where lead
ers of thought are bred.
Whenever our societies make an extra ten dollars,
say, why not put it aside for a scholarship fund for
a boy or girl in the parish? It is a good that will
last, an investment for the future. The Catholic Lay
men’s Association is the beginning of such work and
I hope its work will broaden out and include all these
activities if it is found practicable.
C. M. R.
THE AUGUSTA CAMPAIGN.
The last of the big cities of the state to put on its
campaign for funds for the Association was Augusta,
which completed its work the middle of January. Mr.
T. S. Gray, chosen drive leader, followed the Haverty
Plan, as it is generally called, and went over the top
most gloriously. The Sunday previous to the drive a
mass meeting of Catholics, announced in all the
churches, was held at which the Flying Squadron
made its customary appearance and talks. Several
days later a letter was sent to every Catholic enclos
ing pledge cards. In the middle of the week the drive
leaders and parish chairmen held a dinner meeting
at one of the hotels, and the list was started with
nearly seven thousand. The following Sunday the
drive was had through the warmest co-operation of
all the pastors. Seemingly they vied with each other
in commending the work of the Association and urg-
ing its generous support. The result was that when
the lists were compiled early in the afternoon, it was
found that Augustans had pledged over $24,000,
which was increased several hundreds within the week
when a few absentees were heard from. When it is
considered that there are but 2,400 Catholics in Au
gusta and that the largest individual subscription was
$300, the wonder of the result can be understood.