of a new dawn; . . .
and what are we doing? Here and there, a spasmodic effort, a generous
outburst of zeal--the work of some society, parish or diocese. While,
what we need now is the combined effort of all the Catholics. This
will only be obtained through a Congress. What we need is _organized
opinion_. The modern world is very sensitive to _organized
opinion_.--Let us get together! We only need leaders to see our
opinion become "_articulate and authoritative_" and make its weight
felt in public life. Never has a Congress been more necessary than
now. Without it, Catholics will not take part in reconstruction, for a
Congress alone can unite us and give us the guarantee that our energies
will not be "frittered away by overlapping and friction."

There is a great moral tide now running in the world, said President
Wilson in his toast to the King of England . . . and that tide is the
great opportunity for Catholic social principles to take the high sea
of public life. Let us therefore, like the skilful mariner, count with
this set of the tide and catch it at its crest. "There is a tide in
the affairs of nations like that of men, which when taken at the flood
leads on to glory. If we do not direct the ideas that are awork in the
seething mind of the world, they will spend their energies in
retributive destruction," wrote the Philosopher President of the United
States.

"The thrilling opportunities of the time, we will say with Father
Garesche, S.J., should stir us to the depths of our souls' capacity
with enthusiasm, energy and sacrifice. . . . Our realization of the
needs and chances of the Church and the world, should stir us to the
utmost of personal effort."

* * * * * *

_Exempla Trahunt_.--The great benefits that have ensued from a general
consultation or meeting of the _body Catholic in various countries_
form the best standing proof of their value. In England the annual
conference of the Catholic Truth Society and other federated Societies,
is the leading event of Catholic life. It has developed among the
English Catholic laity, a militant, virile Catholicism, most remarkable
for its aggressive policy and wonderful for its array of social
organizations, as one may readily learn from the "Hand-book of Catholic
Charitable and Social work" published by the C. T. Society of London.
Who does not know the wonderful results of the yearly Catholic
Congresses of Germany bef