We extend to all our friends and readers hearty greetings of the holy season, and wish for all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

The month of December appeals in a special manner to the clients of our Blessed Mother, consecrated as it is to the infancy of our Divine Lord. The season of Advent, which precedes the glorious feast of our Lord's Nativity, is a time of preparation for our Saviour's coming. True Christmas happiness is for the Christian only whose heart is pure, whose conscience is clean and in whom God's grace abounds; indeed, no genuine happiness is attainable aside from union with God. Wisely, then, does the Church provide the Advent season that Christians may "make straight the way of the Lord" and receive Him worthily into their hearts. The Divinely appointed means for making our peace with God is the sacrament of Penance. Let us then see to it that the days of Advent pass not by unheeded; but let them be to us days of prayer and preparation for the coming of the Blessed Babe of Bethlehem, the "Word made flesh," because "God so loved the world." Let each of us receive on Christmas morning the Most Adorable Eucharist, the Bread of Life, the Body and Blood of Christ; then, indeed, shall we be partakers of that holy joy that passeth understanding, and we shall experience a foretaste of that heavenly peace which God's angels proclaimed from on high to "men of good will on earth."

An event which augurs well for the Church in America was the organization recently, of "The Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States." The purpose of the society, as stated by its founders, is "the development of

the missionary spirit in the Catholic population of the United States, by aiding the building of churches in needy. places, or by any other missionary work that may be deemed advisable by the board of governors." It is a deplorable fact that in many places in this country, especially in the West and South, the paucity and poverty of Catholic settlers are such that it is utterly impossible for them to provide suitable places of worship or churches of any kind, indeed. Those people are certainly proper objects of missionary concern and activity; and efficacious and permanent assistance can be rendered them only through organized and intelligently directed effort. It is unquestionably a noble form of charity to seek the conversion of non-Catholics and bring to them the blessings of the light of faith. But, after all, charity begins at home; and those of the household of the faith should not be overlooked nor forgotten by their more fortunate brethren. There is no sadder chapter in the history of the Church in America than that which records the countless defections from the faith of their fathers of emigrants to our shores-and of those even "to the manner born." And who shall undertake to compute aright the vast number of those who have abandoned the practice of the religion of their childhood, retaining the while the name of Catholic? It is this latter class that is hardest of all to reach and influence. They dwell, for the most part, not in rural districts apart from the humanizing and refining influences of Christian society, but in centers of large population, in the great cities of the land. And here they thrive, according to the maxims of the 'world, growing fat upon the ignorance and misfortune and necessity of their fellow men, accumulating vast fortunes, frequently by methods not merely repre

hensible but positively criminal-methods which, were justice done, would clothe them in the garb of convicts rather than in the purple and fine linen. in which they ostentatiously and vulgarly parade themselves before equally vulgar and sordid worshipers of Mammon. Such "semblances of men" are a disgrace at once to their country, to their race, and to the creed which they have not the courage nor the decency openly to repudiate. It cannot be doubted that "Catholics" of this description bring reproach to the Church, and discredit her in the eyes of a few; but the thoughtful and discerning are not deceived but appraise them at their true value.

The society is to confine its operations exclusively to the United States. Assuredly the field is vast, and the objects in view should appeal to the patriotism and the charity of American Catholics. It is proposed to raise a million dollars to carry on the work of the society. Those prosperous Catholics who refuse assistance to foreign missions on the plea that their contributions are needed at home, will now have an opportunity to prove their sincerity. We wish the society God-speed, and we congratulate its promoters, especially the Reverend Francis C. Kelly.

A prominent Chicago daily, which loudly asserts its claims to respectability, recently treated its readers to an exhibition of coarseness and brutality which would put the "yellowest" journal in America to the blush. The management of the paper in question saw fit to basely ridicule the President of the United States by caricature as mean and vulgar as ever disgraced a public print. It is the reproach of American youth that they are irreverent and wanting in respect for authority. Those who look beneath the surface of things find abundant indication of the reason for this deplorable condition in precisely such in

cidents as the one related. No office or position of honor or trust is too exalted, no person is too dignified or sacred to escape the coarse and villainous assaults of the mercenary paragrapher and cartoonist. These exponents of popular American wit and "smartness" are applauded and richly rewarded by the enterprising panders of buffoonery and indecency, who thrust their vile productions into the hands of old and young alike under the guise of news! Small wonder, then, that there is an increasing disregard of authority and an alarming disrespect and contempt of law among the people. The personality of Mr. Roosevelt may not appeal to the publishers of certain newspapers; his political doctrines and economic views may not be in consonance with theirs; but he is, nevertheless, the chief executive of a great nation, the representation and concrete expression of the highest authority in the land, and as such he is entitled to the respectful consideration and the loyalty of every American citizen.

The rout of the political bosses in the battle of ballots last month and the retirement into oblivion of most of them was an achievement which rejoices the hearts of all honest and patriotic citizens. Well may the people exult, for their triumph was complete and most significant. It was in no sense a party victory, for party lines were practically disregarded. It was a triumph of honesty and decency over corruption and degraded political servitude. Nothing in American political history has ever demonstrated so clearly the potency of the popular ballot as did the recent election. Let it be hoped that a realization of their large constitutional powers and prerogatives will inspire the people to bring about many other needed reforms and the correction, by remedial legislation and otherwise, of notorious and flagrant abuses, political,

economic and social.

There are many saints, too, who were not virgins; their vocation was otherwise. But in Paradise there is no saint who was not humble." This book studied as Cardinal Vaughan studied it, will teach us as it taught him, that humility will secretly make of us saints before God.

REX MEUS. By the author of "My Queen and My Mother." Benziger Bros., New York. 8vo. pp. 183. Price, $1.25 net.

This book is a meditative work touching some of the clearly marked periods of the career of holy David. The author, in his introduction, gives us the objects which he had in view in writing the book:

"I. To help young people, unfamiliar with the Old Testament, by putting into their hands some chapters which can be pondered over by them without danger of their being disturbed and perplexed by matters which it is not necessary, nor even, perhaps, desirable for them to be occupied with.

"II. By drawing out, here and there, thoughts from these chapters to let them see how much that is helpful can be extracted from the words of Holy Writ by those who will take a little time to think and ponder over them.

"III. To put before them one of the most beautiful characters God ever made, that of the man after His own Heart, the holy king and prophet, David, in hopes that by gazing at it, and comparing it point by point with our Lord's, they may be brought to understand better Him and His Sacred Heart, and grasp the truth of what is said in the Book of Wisdom, that by the beauty of the creature the Creator of them may be seen so as to be known thereby (Wisd. xiii). And indeed this, though mentioned last, is the main object of the book, and the meaning of the title, for

the study of the prophet-king's character only makes us realize how his noble qualities, his courage, generosity, meekness, etc., pale into insignificance when considered side by side with the life of Him Who is not only our King but our God, our God and our all, Whom each of us can truly speak of as 'Rex meus, et Deus meus' (Ps. lxxxiii, 4)."

The book is one which will be welcomed by all who would seek a parallel between the holy King David, and Him Who has chosen to call Himself the "Son of David.”

MANUAL OF CHURCH MUSIC. The Dolphin Press, Philadelphia. 8vo. Paper. PP. 150. 75 cents net.

This Manual has been prepared by Rev. Wm. J. Finn, C. S. P., of the Catholic University, Prof. George H. Wells, of Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., and Prof. Francis J. O'Brien, choir-master of Gesu Church, Philadelphia. It is prefaced by Rev. H. T. Henry, Litt. D., and the introduction is by His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate to the United States. Two years ago the Holy Father issued that much talked of instruction, commonly referred to as the "Motu Proprio," in which he laid down certain laws regarding Church music. Many pastors and choir directors have found it almost impossible to carry out the Pope's instructions. The Manual before us will prove a great aid to those who have under their direction the training of male choirs. The Manual treats in three parts of the choir proper, its organization, the number and proportion of voices, hints for maintaining a choir; boy-choirs, the training of the boy's voice, the Gregorian chant; how to teach it; classic polyphony, modern music, to what extent it might be used. The appendices contain the "Motu Proprio" of Pius X, summary of regulations regarding the use of the or

gan, etc., and an alphabetical table of topics. The book is most timely and useful; it should be in the library of every pastor, every organist and choir director. Father Henry in his preface, says: "Every priest, every choir-master, every singer-in a word, all those to whose spirit of zeal the Pope appeals in the last words of his famous "Instruction"-should not merely possess the volume but should carefully master its contents, so that all may be enabled to forward the 'prudent reforms, long desired and demanded with united voice by all,' and so that 'the authority of the Church, which herself has repeatedly proposed them, and now inculcates them, may not fall into contempt.''

THE BOYHOOD AND MANHOOD OF Jesus. With five colored and five white and black illustrations. 4to. printed on varnished paper, net, 15 cents; printed on untearable linen, net, 30 cents. Postage five cents extra.

This is the title of the latest toy picture book issued by Messrs. R. & T. Washbourne, London, illustrative of a phase in the life of our Divine Saviour. Already two numbers of this series have been published, viz., "The First Days of Jesus" and "The Last Days of Jesus," both of which have had a wide circulation. The present book is equal in every respect, and perhaps in some ways superior to, its predecessors. The colored. pictures, of which there are five, are most artistically produced and make a very agreeable impression to the eye of the reader. In addition to these there are five pictures in black and white, each of which gives evidence of careful drawing. Altogether the book is highly creditable to all concerned in its production and is sure to command an extensive sale wherever it is shown. At this season of the year it would be difficult to find a more suitable or acceptable present for

young people of both sexes than this picture book.. The work is from the pen of the Very Rev. Prior O'Gorman, O. S. A., and touches upon the early life of Our Lord, His being lost in Jerusalem, and His hidden life. with Mary and Joseph at Nazareth. The preaching of John the Baptist is described and also the calling of the first apostles by Christ at the beginning of His public ministry.

THE VALERIAN PERSECUTION. By Rev. P. J. Healy, D. D. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. 1903. 8vo. pp. 285.

This work is a presentation in English of the results of the historical investigations of Allard, Da Franchi, De Rossi and scores of others less prominent, on the persecutions of the Christians under Valerian. A theme filled with more thrilling events and deeper pathos could hardly have been chosen. No wonder that the medieval man lingered over those blood-stained pages of Christian heroism. The great Bishop of Carthage, Cyprian, is studied here with love and veneration, though not without critical acumen and caution. This maiden work of Dr. Healy is well done. He believes in the continuity of history, and hence. shows the ramifications of this single persecution with the others preceding it. The style is sober as befits the subject, and the exegesis of the highlywrought "Acta" and "Gesta" is cautious and circumspect as befits the critic. The foot-notes are copious and valuable and by no means in agreement with the conclusions of such men as Aubé. If the author ventures no new conclusions, and contents himself with the mere statement of existing hypotheses, it is because his predecessors have done their work so well. All in all, even so severe a censor as Father Delehaye would find little in this work to find fault with. The makeup of the book is faultless.