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Show ENTHUSIASM. Lack of enthusiasm has driven many a man into bankruptcy. It is the power which turns the wheels of business and keeps the machinery in motion. When the old colored preacher saw his congregation congre-gation growing smaller he addressed them one Sun-daj-, saj-ing, "I tell you my brethren, what this congregation con-gregation needs is enthusiasm. That may be a big vrord," he explained, "and perhaps no one here knows what it means; but I am going to ask Brother Johnson to tell us if he can." Brother Johnson was sure that he knew, but he couldn't just tell the people. The preacher insisted, and the old fellow solemnly arose and said: "Well, my brudern, it's jes dis way, ah can't 'splain jest zackly, but 'thusiasm is what will make a pot of soup outen a bleached hambone." It was a good definition. We need enthusiasm in whatever we undertake. Without it we might as well give up. Above all, we need it in religion. We can find plenty of time to talk about business affairs; we grow eloquent over any new scheme whereby we may make a dollar; but when it comes to affairs that look to eternity, where are we? We believe that if Catholic laymen were alive to the opportunity, if they were enthusiastic concern mg religion, this country might be converted in a decade. Xo one can accuse our priests and Bishops of being delinquent in any regard; but there is work for the lavmnn tr An For instance, what of Socialism? Where can be found a more enthusiastic lot than the leaders of this false panacea ? They never sleep ; their first thought always is the plan they would carry out. "America" said last week "it is almost useless to fight them with pamphlets. This is a case where example is better than precept." Catholic men should be able to offset every argument advanced by their Socialistic brethren. The whole contention is founded on false notions. It looks very enticing on the surface, but there is no solidity to it. It is a house founded on straws. We would like to see our young men show more devotion to the Great Cause which means their soul's salvation and less to the frivolities of life, give a little more time to intellectual development and less to muscle production. We would like to bee more genuine enthusiasm for the more important impor-tant things of life; enthusiasm for missions: at home and abroad, enthusiasm for prayer and church work. It is the only way that we may reach perfection. perfec-tion. Catholic Sun.., i |