TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE[1]
(Jo. VIII, 32)
_Facts--Principles--Policy of the Catholic Truth Society--Its value for
the Church in Western Canada._
Truth and liberty, error and license are inseparable partners. The
measure of truth gives the measure of true liberty, just as the degree of
error tells the degree of bondage. This is a logical necessity, a
natural consequence. The Master emphasized it when He said: "And you
shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free." These pregnant
words of Christ are the charter of Christian civilisation and mark the
passing of expediency as the supreme rule of human liberty.
This explicit confidence in the abiding power of Truth and in its
necessary relation with our moral and religious life has prompted the
creation of the Catholic Truth Society and inspired its policy. Never
was any Society more useful nor so well adapted to the conditions of
present times.
The world nowadays is fast drifting from its Christian moorings and
taking to the high seas of modern paganism. The outlook on human life is
as in the days of Greece and Rome. The old cry: _panem et
circeuses_!--is to be found on the lips of our multitudes and reflects
the aspirations of their life. In the social realm, State-monopoly is
fast absorbing the individual and the family, and is heralded as the
supreme ideal of human society. A speedy and complete return to
Christian principles will alone re-establish the world on its proper
axis. Christian Truth shall again make the world free and save it from
the bondage of neo-paganism. For, history and experience prove that
there is nothing more tyrannical than that bondage--let it be the bondage
of Czardom or Bolshevism--which comes to man under the cover and name of
liberty. In the present universal unrest, so widely and so emphatically
voiced throughout the world, the mission of the Catholic Truth Society
appears as most providential. The spreading of Catholic Truth will help
the world to reconquer its liberties and, with them, true civilization.
To state facts, discuss principles and advocate policies, in connection
with the Catholic Truth Society of Canada, particularly in the West, is
the object of this chapter.
_Facts._
The Catholic Truth Society was born in England; November 5th, 1884, was
its birthday; Mr. Britten,[2] its honored and devoted parent. The
activities of the Anglican Church inspired this great Catholic layman to
counteract the influence of its propaganda. Tract for tract, pamphlet
for pamphlet, lecture for lecture, advertisement for advertisement was
the plan of campaign of our new militant leader. To marshal all the
tremendous forces of the "printed word" for the service and defence of
Mother Church was his noble ambition. He had implicit faith in the
everlasting vitality which lies concealed in the divine seed of the Word
of God. He knew that by spreading it broadcast, it would necessarily
fall on prepared and expectant soil, germinate and produce a hundred
fold. With the approbation of the Hierarchy and the generous support of
a few intelligent associates, the Society issued devotional,
controversial, historical and dogmatic pamphlets. Small in form, compact
in doctrine, living in expression, these messengers of Truth winged their
way through the world. Little by little the Society's influence has
spread everywhere and proved beyond doubt to be a great factor of
Catholic apostolate in our time.
For twenty-one years (1888-1909) the annual meeting of the Catholic Truth
Society was the outstanding event of Catholic life in England. It became
the field on which Catholic forces--clergy and laity--met yearly to
exchange ideas, formulate plans, co-ordinate purpose and concentrate
activity. This gathering gave rise to the "National Catholic
Congress"--which now stands out as the annual review, the
"mass-manoeuvre," of the Church militant in England. These meetings have
made of a handful of Catholics, many but neo-converts of yesterday, the
aggressive body we all admire, and from which we, in Canada, have many
things to learn.
The Editor of the "Universe" in his issue of Sept. 22, 1919, on the
occasion of the C.T.S. Conference in Nottingham, paid a beautiful tribute
to the Society. "This summing up of its activities is in itself an
inspiration and incentive. We are reminded by this Conference of the
debt and duty we owe to the society under whose auspices it meets. The
debt is all-pervading. How many Catholics in this country are there,
teachers or taught, who have not profited directly and personally by the
labour and enterprise, freely given, of the comparatively few who, since
that memorable day of its foundation, November 5, 1884, have maintained,
written for, and contributed to the expenses of the Catholic Truth
Society? It has provided the apologist with an armoury and the teacher
with material; it has saved the scholarly many an hour of troublesome
research; it has given the unlearned instruction suited to their needs;
it has given the masses of our people the popular Catholic literature
they want; it has been a veritable sleuth-hound on the track of traducers
of the Church; it has explained and commended her cause to even greater
numbers outside her pale who were simply ill-informed; it has helped more
souls than anyone will ever be able to count, into the Fold. Moreover,
it has been the fruitful parent of progeny (not always filially grateful)
which extends to-day to the uttermost parts of the earth. And always it
has maintained a standard--which, in fact, it created amongst us--of
material high quality, of intellectual respectability and of religious
solidity, the more worthy of grateful appreciation because not everywhere
fully appreciated. Nor can we forget that the Society is in a real sense
"the work of one man," though never has it been that very different
thing, a "one-man work." No one layman (and very few ecclesiastics) has
done a larger definite and objective work for the Catholic Church in our
time than Mr. Britten."
Such a record should shame the faint-hearts among us who seem to think
that no corporate efforts are of any use in the world now rushing on to
its own destruction. That it should shame those who take no interest at
all in the progress of their religion, would be too much to hope.
The mustard seed has become now a great tree; branches have been detached
from the main trunk and transplanted in the various parts of the world.
Ireland, Australia,[3] India,[4] America, Canada, each now has its own
Catholic Truth Society.
In 1887, six years after the foundation of the parent Society in England,
Canada had a first branch in Toronto. Halifax,[5] Montreal, Winnipeg,
Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver soon followed suit. Silent and powerful as
the incoming tide, the Society in Canada is working its way into every
diocese and parish of the land. The Society is now incorporated by act
of Federal Parliament, with Head-Office in Toronto, 67 Bond St. Its
noble and just ambition is to weld into one great efficient organization
the various other branches that are in operation here and there
throughout the Dominion. Organization means efficiency, strength and
success.
The time has come for the Catholic Truth Society in Canada, to create its
own literature, to issue its own pamphlets dealing with the needs and
problems of our own Country. We have been importing from other countries
and have lived until now on their mental activity. But this move demands
unity of purpose and concentration of effort. Moreover, should not this
Dominion-wide organization serve marvellously to rally our dispersed and
disunited forces? There is indeed a sad need of unity in our ranks
to-day.
_Principles._
The assured possession of truth and the pressing obligation for Catholics
to spread it: these are the two main principles upon which is founded and
exists the Catholic Truth Society. As Catholics, we are absolutely sure
that we have the Truth; as Catholics worthy of the name, we feel in
conscience bound to give it to others.
The Catholic Church, like Christ, stands at the cross-roads of humanity
and cries out to the passing generations as they come tramping down the
avenues of time: "_Ego sum Veritas, Via et Vita_--I am the Truth, the
Way, the Life." Her kingdom is that very same Kingdom of Truth of which
the Master spoke to Pilate when the latter had asked Him so insolently:
"What is Truth?" Faith gives to everyone of Her children the right to
all the wealth of that Kingdom.
The self-assurance of the Catholic mind in matters of Religion is a noted
and universal fact which implies necessarily the tranquil possession of
Truth. This certainly is not a blind adherence dictated by fear or
fatalism as some would lead the unwary to believe; but rather, as St.
Paul states, the reasonable subjugation of the mind . . . "_Rationabile
absequium_." The universal unrest and chaotic condition of Christendom
outside of the Catholic Church are in sharp contrast with the unity and
tranquillity of the Catholic mind. This is not the place to prove for
our own pleasure and benefit the security of our position. Christian
Apologetics have vindicated it.
This security of the Catholic mind extends beyond the sacred domain of
Religion. Catholic philosophy has been justly named the "scientific
justification of common sense." Its principles do not rest on the
capricious fancies of the versatile human mind, as is the case with the
philosophy of the dreamer of Koenigsberg. We only mention here Kant, for
his influence has in our days been tremendous and far reaching. In
Catholic philosophy the mind indeed reflects the objective order of
things and from that order evolves universal laws. This basic truth of
our mental attitude is still more evident when considered in the moral
order. For, when God becomes but a "pure abstraction," and the moral law
solely dependent on the human will, one readily sees where such
philosophy may lead. This "_ego-centric philosophy_" is responsible for
the frame of mind which gifted the world with German "Kultur." Nietzche
taught Germany how to think, and Germany had set out to teach the world
the lessons she had received. As some author remarked, Kant and Nietzche
are responsible for the firing of the Krupp guns. Thus the war has shown
the fallacies of anti-Catholic philosophy.
From these serene heights of Philosophy, Catholic Truth flows into the
political, social and economic fields of human life. Our principles on
Authority and Liberty, on Capital and Labor, on Family and State, on
Marriage and Education are as solid as the rock, and are recognized as
such, even by leaders who have a different religious persuasion.
Yes, religious, philosophical, social, political, economic truth we do
possess. But of what use to the world, to the laborer, to the patriot,
to the inquirer, is this truth and the solutions to problems it offers,
if they are not known? If we have the light we cannot hide it under the
bushel. We must place it where it can be seen, where its beneficial rays
can light up the way for those who are "sitting in darkness, in the
shadow of death."
No Catholic is a Catholic for himself only. Christian Charity imposes
upon us the duty to help our brother. The spreading of Catholic Truth is
one of the great works of Mercy and is as binding as alms-giving for the
relief of temporal want. The love of God and of our neighbour is the
foundation of this obligation. This consciousness of Christian
solidarity whereby the rich come to the rescue of the poor, the learned
help the ignorant, is the driving force behind the Catholic Truth Society.
With the vision of the Truth and the conscientious impulse to spread it,
the Society is bound to grow in a genuine Catholic soil. We say it
frankly, there is something wanting in a parish where the Catholic Truth
Society meets with no response, creates no interest. The sense of real
Catholicism and the consciousness of the duties it implies are
conspicuous by their absence. There, Christianity does not run deep
enough. This also stands true where the Catholic Church Extension or
other organization of its kind, has no hold. The same principle is at
stake; in both cases deficiency reveals a negative, rather than a
militant Christianity.
_Policy._
The world nowadays, like Pilate, asks the Church: "What is Truth?" But
like Pilate also, proud of its power, its wealth, and success, it will
not wait for the answer. Yet the Church's mission is to give to the
world that truth after which humanity thirsts. Her mode of dispensation
will vary from age to age. New times, new duties. Her policy is often
suggested by the change of front in the line of the enemy.
As the "printed word" is now the great vehicle of propaganda, the great
message of Catholic Truth will be given more by print than by speech.
This new apostleship has opened the doors to Catholic lay activity. The
Catholic Truth Society is one of its many forms and should, to be
faithful to its origin, remain a specifically Catholic laymen's movement.
The policy of the Catholic Truth Society is very broad and embraces a
great variety of activities which all tend to the propagation and defense
of Catholic Truth.
_Pamphlets_.--The printing and diffusion of pamphlets are characteristic
features of the Society. These winged booklets have come to be most
fruitful transmitters of Catholic Truth. Silent Messengers of truth,
they steal their way into homes and circles where the priest, and even at
times the catholic layman cannot penetrate. Eloquent Preachers, their
voice is heard to the extremities of the earth. Perpetual Missionaries,
they continue the work when the apostle has passed to another field.
They keep the light of faith burning bright in many a lonely
homesteader's cabin on the Prairies of our Great West. How often have we
not seen farmers coming into the Regina Cathedral to fill their pockets
with pamphlets from the book-rack before they returned to their farms
often situated at thirty or forty miles from a Church! Silent
Controversionalists, they give Catholic information and drive the
argument home without offence to the pride of the reader, for, the
personal element of the controversy is eliminated. Their unobtrusiveness
is what the inquirer appreciates in matters of religious research
particularly.
The _Circulation of Catholic Papers_ and their _remailing_ to those who
live far from large centres and are out of touch with the Church are
other forms of the Apostolate of the Catholic Truth Society. By these
means Catholic printed matter is capital, bearing compound interest and
more.
Free distribution of leaflets; the Mass register in the hotels and public
places; the information bureau; the bill-board; information about
Catholic Faith given by a Correspondence Guild; circulating libraries;
reading and study circles; reference library; the introduction of
Catholic literature into Public Libraries by creating the demand for
it, . . . these are some of the means through which the Society pursues
its policy. To every wind, we may say, it sows the good seed of truth.
To fully understand the principles and forward with energy and
perseverance the policy of the Catholic Truth Society, demands an
enthusiastic love of the Church and an abiding confidence in the
conquering power of Truth and in its ultimate triumph. Only a zealous
and aggressive Catholic can grasp this vision and walk in its light. But
the example of the enemy's activities alone should be sufficient to give
us that zeal and aggressiveness. The Dominion is flooded with the
literature of the Methodist Social Service, of the Bible Society, of the
Christian Science, of the Rationalistic Press Association. Their
activities should act on our apathetic Catholics as the gust of wind that
scatters the ashes and fans the smouldering embers to a flame.
Generous are the hopes founded on the future of the Catholic Truth
Society of Canada. With its far-flung line, from coast to coast, great
are the services it can render to the Church. But there is no field with
greater possibilities for this apostolate of the "printed word" than our
Western Provinces. There the pastors are yet few and the flock very
scattered. The little pamphlet, the Catholic paper will keep the watch
around the lonely settler's faith until the living contact with the
Church's authority and sacraments be renewed. And in the great battle
against religious indifference and profound materialism which are rapidly
spreading over our West, the Catholic Truth Society will make us realize
the saving power of Christianity. . . . "_And you shall see Truth and
Truth shall make you free_."
[1] This Chapter was published in pamphlet form by the Catholic Truth
Society of Canada.
[2] Cardinal Vaughan and Lady Herbert are the real Founders of the C.T.S.
But Mr. Britten carried out the idea.--It was to be essentially a
lay-movement.
[3] Australian Catholic Truth Society.--At the annual meeting of the
Australian Catholic Truth Society the report stated that during the year
1919 152,309 pamphlets had been put into circulation, while the total
number published since the foundation of the Society was 1,837,947. The
executive had decided to publish in future 36 penny pamphlets each year,
instead of 24, and trusted that their enterprise would be rewarded with a
substantial increase in the number of subscribers.
[4] The headquarters of the C.T.S. of India are in Trichinopoly. They
have already their own publications.
[5] Although the Halifax branch of the C.T.S. does not form a unit of the
C.T.S. of Canada yet it is one of the most active branches in our Country.