which outsiders are the first to respect, and politicians too willing at times to exploit.  Through her teachings and her children, she is bound to make the beneficial influence of her presence felt, even by her enemies.  Her teachings indeed create for her loyal children issues which have to be faced squarely and unflinchingly.  The influence of the Church on Society depends on the manner Catholics understand their social responsibilities and translate into action her doctrine.  We may well apply to the life of the Church in a country this biological truism:  “life consists in adaptation to environment.”  From a Catholic viewpoint Our West will be vitalized only in as much as the Catholics in Western Canada, thoroughly patriotic in their aspirations and thoroughly Catholic in their ideas and feelings, will bring their influence to bear on our national life.  Their example and their influence will lead to the silent and “pacific penetration” of the Society in which they live.  And the Catholics throughout Canada cannot stand aloof, disinterested in the upbuilding of the Western Provinces, where the Canada of to-morrow is being created.  There indeed the clash of ideals is more marked, the fermentation of thought is stronger, issues are more vital.  Our national life, to a great extent, will depend on how these conflicting elements are absorbed into the blood and sinews of the Country.

The problems on which we dwell are, in our humble estimation, of paramount importance and should arrest the attention and elicit the co-operation of every Catholic alive to their seriousness.  No doubt we have been sleeping at our posts.  Red lights spot the darkness of the future and speak of danger ahead if the problems upon which we dwell are not pressed home with constancy and energy, if some concerted action is not agreed upon.  Behind these problems lurk mighty issues.  They strike at the very foundations of Christianity and Christian civilization, and cannot be disposed of by Parliament-Laws or Orders-in-Council.

We are a minority, some may say, and without influence.  Yes, we are a minority, but were we a militant minority, our ideas would make their way.  “Small as the Catholic body was in England,” said H. Belloc, “it knew what it thought; it had a determined position.  That was of enormous importance.  A minority which was logical, reasonable, and united was a very much stronger thing than its mere numbers would suggest.”  Did not the ideas of a few Oxford men revolutionize the Church of England and bring on a movement the results of which we still witness throughout the English-speaking world.  The men who see clear and far, who feel keenly and deeply will necessarily be leaders.  The hand that leads is always governed by a warm heart and a clear eye.  “Devotion is the child of conviction,” said Lord Haldane.

The non-Catholic may be inclined to look upon our exposition of these Western Problems as a merely sectarian viewpoint, and therefore, of no value to him.  He may even look upon our work as an open challenge.  I would answer in Newman’s words:  “Our motive for writing has been the sight of the truth and the desire to show it to others.”