onary work in
Canada; long enough have our Catholics limited their zealous efforts to
the confines of their parish or their diocese. The time has come for
every Catholic in Canada to answer the call of the Master, to take his
place in the harvest field, to share the responsibilities of the
present and prepare a glorious future for the Church in our great and
prosperous Dominion.

The appeal that comes to the Church of Canada from the Catholic
Extension is straightforward. It needs no apology. It stands its
ground on its own merits. It is not--let us never forget it--an appeal
to our charity. It is a pressing call to accomplish a sacred duty, a
timely warning not to neglect it. And indeed, active co-operation in
the work of Extension is, we repeat, an unfaltering belief in the
reality of our Catholicism. It knits our soul to the very soul of the
Church, our heart to Her heart.

Strengthened by these highest motives of Catholic Solidarity and
Christian Charity we should give joyfully and generously. Let us levy
a tax on our income, no matter how small it may be, remembering the
fiduciary character of our earthly possessions. Let us give our time
and our services to this noble Cause. Let us give lovingly and
willingly our children to the great harvest, if it be God's will to
call them to His service. But above all let us pray that the Kingdom
of Jesus Christ may come in our beloved Country through the Extension
of His divine Church.

[1] This chapter formed the substance of a Sermon preached on
"Extension Sunday" in St. Finnan's Cathedral, Alexandria, Ont.

CHAPTER III.

PRO ARIS ET FOCIS[1]

Militancy is the characteristic feature of God's Church on earth. New
dangers, fresh struggles await Her at every turn of the road in Her
onward march to eternity. Assailed from within by her own children,
attacked from without by bitter enemies, she is ever working out
through the frailties of human nature her sublime destiny. Not of this
world, but passing through it, She has necessarily to suffer from the
inherent weakness of her children. It is the human side of the divine
Church. Those who would be scandalized at this ever renascent warfare
against the Catholic Church, in all times and in all countries, should
remember that this hall-mark of true Christianity is the fulfillment of
Christ's promise and the realization of his prophecy.

In this great firing line of the Church militant every Catholic