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Show CATHOLIC BENEVOLENCE. It can safely be said that most of the money contributed con-tributed by philanthropists to benevolent institutions institu-tions is wisely and judiciously expended for the purposes pur-poses for which it was intended. When anyone makes a contribution of money, however, the contributor con-tributor is hailed as a benefactor of the race, and i those who faithfully administer the trust imposed upon them are forgotten. The Western World (Des Moines, la.), in an editorial, quotes from Mr. John D. Rockefeller's "Random Reminiscences" (Dou-bleday, (Dou-bleday, Page & Company) as follows: "It occurs to me to testify to the fact that the Catholic church, as I have observed in my experience, experi-ence, has advanced a long way in the direction of practical benevolence. I have been surprised to learn how far a given sumvof money has gone in the hands of priests and nuns, and how really effective effec-tive is their use of it. I have fully appreciated the splendid service done by other workers in the field, but I have seen the Organization of the Catholic church secure better results with a given sum of money than other organizations are accustomed to secure from the same expenditure." In commenting on the efficiency of the benevolence benevo-lence of the Catholic church and the administration of the trusts imposed upon it, the World says : There are convents, schools, orphan asylums, hospitals for the sick and the insane, homes for fallen, fal-len, and for the aged, in every large city of the United States and in almost every town of any size. They are conducted by the religious orders of the Catholic church, for the most part. They are semi-public institutions, where people of all creeds and classes are received and cared for with uniform and scrupulous attention. These institutions are aids to the state in the work of relieving suffering, saving human life, reclaiming the weak and the sinful, and generally helping thos who are not able to help themselves. It is, indeed, a surprising thing that these institutions arc what they are, so efficient, ef-ficient, so well equipped, so up-to-date, j We don't hear of so many millions being donated to these charitable institutions. In fact, economy and scrupulous devotion to the duty in hand explain ex-plain the things that surprised Mr. Rockefeller. Tn religious communities there are no salaries to be paid, there is no extravagance or needless outlay. The religious with their vow of poverty are most conscientious in the use of every penny needed. These people give up their homes, their comforts, their natural ambitions, in a worldly sense, in order that, they may have more freedom to devote their lives' ib the vocations they- have chosen. The 'motives 'mo-tives behind their lives are spiritual motives; they are animated by love of God, in the first place, and by a desire to save the souls of their fellow men, in the second. All they do and all they suffer is done and suffered in the name of our Lord and through love for Him and His creatures. The world does not take this underlying spirit into consideration when it notices the great success attained in the Catholic church by charitable institutions. insti-tutions. The work is well organized, yes, but besides be-sides the splendid organization there is the spirit of Christian self-sacrifice which fills the hearts of all the individuals engaged in the actual work. These practical works of benevolence, of charity, of education and of reform are all built up on the foundation of Catholic faith, sustained by the love of God and man, and this is the reason why such surprising results are obtained with apparently slender resources. . Again, the great fact of Catholicity challenges the wonder and admiration of worldly men. The superficial look upon the Catholic church as a huge "machine" sometimes. They sneer at the "proud bishopsV clad in purple and using gold and silver vessels in the performance of the sacred functions of their office, but the "spirit" which animates the whole Catholic body is not reckoned with. It is there, within, nevertheless, whether noticed or un-derstoqd un-derstoqd or disregarded. The "hidden lives" are the lives which may count, for most in the final adjustment. ad-justment. The good deeds done in secret and for the disinterested love of God will weigh most heavily heav-ily in the balance at the judgment day. " "By their fruits ye shall know them," not now, perhaps, but when the crooked ways are made straight and the rouerh ways plain. The Catholic church is a visible thing, but the Catholic religion is imbedded in the hearts and souls of Catholics. |