There is a great moral tide now running in the world, said President Wilson in his toast to the King of England . . . and that tide is the great opportunity for Catholic social principles to take the high sea of public life.  Let us therefore, like the skilful mariner, count with this set of the tide and catch it at its crest.  “There is a tide in the affairs of nations like that of men, which when taken at the flood leads on to glory.  If we do not direct the ideas that are awork in the seething mind of the world, they will spend their energies in retributive destruction,” wrote the Philosopher President of the United States.

“The thrilling opportunities of the time, we will say with Father Garesche, S.J., should stir us to the depths of our souls’ capacity with enthusiasm, energy and sacrifice. . . .  Our realization of the needs and chances of the Church and the world, should stir us to the utmost of personal effort.”

* * * * * *

Exempla Trahunt.—­The great benefits that have ensued from a general consultation or meeting of the body Catholic in various countries form the best standing proof of their value.  In England the annual conference of the Catholic Truth Society and other federated Societies, is the leading event of Catholic life.  It has developed among the English Catholic laity, a militant, virile Catholicism, most remarkable for its aggressive policy and wonderful for its array of social organizations, as one may readily learn from the “Hand-book of Catholic Charitable and Social work” published by the C. T. Society of London.  Who does not know the wonderful results of the yearly Catholic Congresses of Germany before the war?  We would refer the reader to the wonderful book of Father Plater, S.J., “Catholic Social Work in Germany.”  To the same source may be traced the great social activities of Catholics in France and Belgium.  In 1919 the Catholics of Holland met at Utrecht, and in a national general convention, discussed the Catholic view-point of burning questions—­political, social and spiritual.  The results of their united efforts are already tangible.  Legislation favourable to Catholic Schools has been enacted; a Catholic University is being founded; the Catholic press is a power; sane social legislation has been adopted.

An example that may strike home better, is one that comes from our brethren in the United States.  Federation has already accomplished wonders among our American Catholics and is welding into one great unit the various societies of the Church in that immense country.  This federation is only in its infancy and already its action has created a mental attitude which makes united action, in various spheres, a reality.  The annual meetings of the Catholic Education Association, of the Catholic Hospitals, of Catholic Charities, of Catholic Press make good our statement.  These gatherings have broadened the outlook and sympathies