PREFACE

These chapters are, in the main, an adaptation of discourses delivered, at one time or another, in St. Mary's Church, Evanston. They were intended as answers to questions frequently asked the writer by inquirers into Catholic doctrine, or by Catholic students who were often called upon to defend their Faith.

My aim has been to simplify, to the best of my ability, Catholic teaching on these subjects. I make no pretense to learning, and I have striven to avoid all technical language. My hope is that the average reader may be able to understand what I have written.

I am entirely conscious of the inadequacy of my treatment of these important subjects, which have been so ably expounded by others. But, I have a hope that this book may come into some hands that have not yet touched the greater works.

The name given the book I take from John 18:37. Christ tells Pilate that "He was born and came into the world to give testimony to the

truth." Pilate asks, "What is truth?" but does not wait for an answer.

I know not what the Roman Governor's attitude was. Did he merely consider that it was idle to seek the truth; or did he fear to listen to the eternal verities as Christ might declare them? I can not say. But I do know that many very good people to-day ask: "What about indulgences?" "What about an infallible pope?" "-the pretended power to forgive sin?" and do not take the trouble of listening to an answer. It was but a fancy, perhaps a presumption, but I have ventured to give the name, Testimony to the Truth, to this unpretentious book. My hope is that it may help some few to understand Catholic teaching.

THE AUTHOR.

THE EUCHARIST

Non-Catholics who live in the vicinity of a Catholic church often wonder at the multitudes that pass to and from the sacred edifice. It may be early on a winter's morning when the snow. is deep upon the side-walk and the biting blast tries the wayfarer's endurance. The church to which these people are hastening may not be particularly inviting; it may not even be comfortable. Within, there is no cheering music, no eloquent sermon, no friendly greeting, no exchange of courtesies; minds are bent upon a simple and important duty. When it is done they return to a domestic or other employment, which they may have quit at a late hour the evening before. In this case, hardship fails to frighten, and comfort has lost its appeal.

Or it may be during the summer heat, when the weary denizen of the city seeks a few weeks in the country. He may not appear particularly pious, but he hesitates to undertake a journey that will keep him from Sunday Mass, and he will not go to a summer resort unless it is

within reasonable distance of a church.

The Protestant who is not familiar with Catholic practices marvels and asks why so much ado about nothing.

Some hear of the Church's precept, and at once conclude that it is the dread authority which terrifies Catholics into complying with most unreasonable demands. "No doubt," they say, "it is a good thing to go to church, but there ought to be a limit to obligation. The day is too cold,-six months from this it will be too hot, so be guided by common sense." This is the advice given, but it is not heeded.

No doubt authority's command has much to do with church attendance; but does any one suppose that a sane body, such as Catholic rulers are supposed to be, could demand that the faithful shall attend church on Sundays under pain of mortal sin, were not something very important involved? If it were but a hymn, or a prayer, or a sermon, or all three, would there be any sense in obligating, under such dire penalties, people of all nations and all climes, to assemble in given places? But it is immeasurably more than this. The Church is not afraid to stand