Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/68

 religion set  their  neighbors,  their  children! What do  they  read? All kinds  of  literature — but  no  Catholic  newspapers  or  periodicals are to  be  found  on  their  table.

How ruinous  in  respect  to  the  Church  and to society! There are  thousands  of  mixed marriages, and  the  children  born  of  these unions ought  of  course  to  be  baptized  as Catholics;  instead  of  which  an  immense proportion of  them  are  lost  to  the  Church. The harm  is  no  less  great  in  regard  to  society at large. Religion is  rightly  considered  to be  the  surest  bulwark  of  the  State. But indifferentism can  not  be  looked  upon  as  a power  for  good  in  respect  to  society,  since  it is  not  founded  upon  the  fear of  God,  attention to  the  voice  of  conscience,  and  so  on. There is  but  one  true  Church  of  Christ  — but one  true  faith  —  but  one  true  religion.

6. To  conclude:  Do  not  seek  a  quarrel with others  who  are  not  of  your  faith. But if they  attack  your  Church  or  your  faith,  to remain  indifferent  would  be  an  act  of  treason in regard  to  your  most  precious  treasure. Therefore in  such  a  case  do  not  say:  "All right,  let  us  talk  about  this  some  other  time"; but rather  quote  the  saying  in  vogue  among a heathen  tribe,  "Slay  me,  but  spare  my mother";  take  your  Church  under  your  protection as  the  guardian  of  the  one,  eternal  truth.

What is  the  greatest  treasure  mortals  can possess?

What is  it  raises  man  into  a  higher  sphere?