Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/171

 and impeded  in  her  sacred  vocation,  in  consequence  of  which  infidelity  creeps  in  everywhere, gradually  gains  a  firm  footing,  and carries on  its  seductive,  destructive  work.

Truly these  oscillatory,  these  unprincipled and cowardly  individuals  possess  only  a  diluted Catholicism;  they  are  called  Catholics, but the  name  of  Catholic  sounds  in  their case only  like  a  nickname.

5. To  all  these  undecided,  half-hearted Catholics may  be  fitly  applied  the  words  of the  prophet  Elias:  "How  long  do  you  halt between  two  sides?  If  the  Lord  be  God, follow  Him,  but  if  Baal,  then  follow  him." O ye  Christians,  how  long  do  you  halt  between two  sides,  between  the  side  of  your Church and  the  side  of  her  enemies? If in your  hearts  you  are  really  Catholic  Christians, speak and  act  as  such  on  every  occasion,  and in every  society.

6. We  live  in  an  age  when  decision  is necessary,  when  half-heartedness  can  no more  be  tolerated  in  any  struggle,  whether  in matters  of  religion,  or  in  any  other  domain. A very  momentous  time  is  before  us,  a  period when the  civilized  world  will  divide  itself more and  more  into  two  opposite  camps.

"Either for  Christ  or  against  Christ," such is  the  watchword,  the  rallying  cry! It behooves us  to  take  a  firm  stand  under  the banner of  Christ. ' The  future  belongs  only to resolute,  whole-hearted  men! Be a  man; a dauntless,  whole-hearted  Catholic.