Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/169

 who was  baptized  a  Catholic  and  holds Catholic opinions,  but  in  his  words  and  actions, in  what  he  does  and  leaves  undone, gives evidence  that  his  is  a  diluted  Catholicism;  especially  by  fawning  upon  such  enemies of  the  Church  who  can  promote  his temporal interest,  and  by  ranging  himself  on their  side  where  important  ecclesiastical questions are  concerned.

Certainly in  this  case  the  admonition  holds good : Be  true  to  yourself  in  thought,  word,  and deed. You desire  to  be  a  Catholic  Christian; very well,  but  do  not  be  half  a  one;  do  not  think in one  way,  and  act  in  another;  do  not  conduct yourself  here  after  one  fashion,  and  there after another;  in  church  like  a  good  Catholic, and in  daily  life  like  an  apostate;  turning about like  a  weathercock,  speaking  and  behaving  in  a  manner  which  will  please  certain persons. Away with  this  diluted  Catholicism, this  half-heartedness  and  miserable sycophancy! Christ has  said:  "No  man can  serve  two  masters  ...  He  that  is  not with  Me  is  against  Me  "  (Mali.  vi.  24;  xii.  30). There is  no  alternative,  no  neutrality  is  possible!

3. It  always  seems  to  me  that  a  Catholic Christian who  really  knows  his  holy  Church, and is  aware  what  a  treasure  he  possesses  in her,  ought  to  find  it  difficult,  nay  impossible, to kick  against  the  goad  of  his  own  convictions, and  to  speak  and  act  contrary  to  his belief: and  yet  the  number  of  stanch,  loyal