THE LAY APOSTOLATE IN ENGLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1919, Page 37

THE LAY APOSTOLATE IN ENGLAND

(Concluded from last week.) .In subsequent letters \to his uncle (his Grace Archbishop Redwood), Mr. Vernon C. Redwood (London) wrote:—Sine© last writing, our work has been steadily goiffg on every Sunday from 3 p:m. till often past 10 p.m., and our average attendance of hearers numbers 300. Sometimes 600 to 800 persons congregate around our platform, so that it is reasonable to assume that we —coming and —over 3000 people each Sunday. We have now, generally, eight speakers, who discourse on as many different Catholic subjects, and answer dozens of questions. Very inclement weather has been experienced on recent Sundays, but this does not deter people attending; listening and questioningall the time. We have no intervals. Ample proof is afforded that our platform is regarded as the leading one in Hyde Park. Prom it by far the greatest number of people are addressed, and it commands more respect than any other in the Park. We-teach all the time, and denounce no one’s personal ; views : thus the people are getting used to the crucifix, and to our prayers, and we are breaking down the prejudice entertained towards the Catholic Church. We, have, privately, numbers asking us about the truths -of the Church, and, in connection with our lectures, we have established just outside the gates of the Park a svstem of selling the Catholic Truth Society’s publications. (We are not permitted to sell inside the Park.) One of our ladies carries a light contrivance, strapped to the shoulders, upon which are displayed 50 or more booklets on different subjects, and from this another lady sells. We have a good stock oh hand, and sell about 100 books each Sundayand this in the depth of winter. At Tyburn Convent during the afternoon, while the lectures are being given, members of the guild are praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In addition, the Holy Rosary .is recited by several hundred associates each day for the success of our work. We have now 12 lecturers in connection with the guild, and six others going through a preparatory test. Isevei al others, although not yet released from the army, are studying. The lady lecturers are quite as successful as the men, probably our best lecturer being a ladya Miss Ward, daughter of the late Mr. Wilfrid Ward, a former editor of the Dublin lie view. She is splendid; so also is her brother. Leo. We want hundreds of men and women. Our mission is to break down the deep-rooted prejudice against the Catholic religion, and then the clergy will complete the work. The day is not far off when thousands will return to the fold. We have a system established lin different parts of London whereby we keep in touch with our converts, assisting, instructing, and advising them, and eventually bringing them to the priests to receive the finaP instructions preparatory to their reception into the Church. . In conclusion, Mh. Redwood writes —Our crucifix now stands without anyone having to stand by to protect it, as was our experience at first. Our sales of Catholic Truth publications are rapidly increasing, and our progress, generally, is steady and sound. It is apparently only a matter of getting enough men and women i workers, with the' help of Almighty God to convert this country. . ’