We may do this by not living up to the practice of our holy religion.  We believe, for example, we should hear Mass every Sunday and holy day; we should receive the Sacraments at certain times in the year; but if we only believe these things and do not do them, we neglect to profess our faith, neglect to show others that we really believe all the Church teaches, and are anxious to practice it.  Many know and believe what they should do, but never practice it.  Such persons do great injury to the Church, for persons who do not live up to their holy religion but act contrary to its teaching give scandal to their neighbor.  How many persons at present not Catholics would be induced to enter the true Church if they saw all Catholics virtuous, truthful, sober, honest, upright, and industrious!  But when they see Catholics—­be they ever so few—­cursing, quarrelling, backbiting, drinking, lying, stealing, cheating, etc.—­in a word, indulging in the same vices as those who claim to have no religion, what must they think of the moral influence of Catholic faith?  Thus they do great injustice to the Church and the cause of religion, and are working against our Blessed Lord when they should be working for Him.

The Christian religion spread very rapidly through the world in the first ages of its existence; and one of the chief reasons was the good example given by the Christians; for pagans seeing the holy lives, the kindness and charity of their Christian neighbors, could not help admiring and loving them, and wishing to be members of the Church that made them so good and amiable.  How many pagans do you think would be converted nowadays by the lives of some who call themselves Catholics?  Not many, I think.  Besides this, the early Christians really labored to instruct others in the Christian religion, and to make them converts.  Often we find servants—­even slaves—­by their instructions converting their pagan masters and mistresses.  They all felt that they were missionaries working for Jesus Christ, and their influence reached where the priest’s influence could not reach, because they came in contact with persons the priests never had an opportunity of seeing.  If all Catholics had the same spirit, what good they could do!  Their business or duty may often bring them into daily intercourse with persons not of their faith, and who never knew or perhaps heard any of the beautiful truths of our holy religion.  Yes, Catholics could do much good if they had only the good will and knew their religion well.  I do not mean that they should be always discussing religion with everyone they meet.  Let them preach chiefly by the example of their own good lives, and when questioned explain modestly and sincerely the truths they believe.