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NEVER has the necessity of an intellectual defence of Catholic
principles been more imperative and general than in our days, when
every department of human knowledge is made to yield weapons for a
concerted and systematic attack on the very foundations of
supernatural belief. The front of the attack has broadened, for, it
is no longer confined to the scientific world, but extends to
popular literature. H'ence what was formerly the duty and privilege
of the clergy becomes now the universal task of all educated
Catholic laymen. Every reflecting Catholic must render to himself
an account of the faith that is within him. None but an enlightened
faith will be proof against the crafty and villainous onslaught of
modern infidelity, which is magnificently equipped for its work of
destruction. Ignorance of fundamental principles is the treacherous
rock on which faith has frequently been wrecked. Many a man
harbours in his heart a secret distrust of his most sacred
convictions, because he has never taken the trouble to examine the
strong foundation on which they rest. Thus a man owes it to himself
to investigate the rational grounds of his faith and to study the
motives which have prompted his firm assent to revealed truth. It
will give him a peaceful sense of intellectual assurance when he
finds that, in adhering to revelation, he does not abdicate reason,
but elicits the most sublime act of enlightened reason. The little
effort devoted to such studies will be amply rewarded by a
deepening of religious convictions and a greater cheerfulness of
faith. Particularly is it to be deplored that the clamorous methods
of infidels so readily mislead the young, who do not realize the
utter worthlessness and shallowness of their plausible objections.
There is only one remedy, and that is a thorough knowledge of the
intellectual basis of faith. It is most opportune to enable young
men to justify their faith to themselves and to make them see that
it is the infidel, and not the believer, who stands condemned by
reason and common sense. Religious knowledge must keep pace with
the general progress of one's education or else a weakening of the
faith that seems discredited by the new information will be the
inevitable result. From a serious inquiry into the impregnable
foundations of divine truth a joyous faith will spring that glories
in the consciousness of its strength and falters not in the
presence of difficulties brought forth by infidelity and
sectarianism. The Catholic Church has a right to expect that her
sons be able to vindicate her claims against the arrogance of her
enemies. The honour of the Church lies in the hands of her
children. They should acquire such knowledge as will make it
possible for them to refute the specious arguments of irreverent
infidelity and to discover the flaws in the logic of heresy. Every
man should make it his duty to come to the defence of the position
and claims of his Church and by sound arguments to silence, if not
to convince, her adversaries. It is also a duty of the more
educated Catholics to come to the rescue of their less favoured
brethren and to protect them by judicious instruction against the
persistent attempts of unbelievers to undermine their simple faith.
Here are lofty aims for our Catholic laymen, a splendid opportunity
for the exercise of the lay apostolate.
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger
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This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such
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