NO NATIONAL FUTURE IF WIDESPREAD PRACTICE OF BIRTH-PREVENTION PERSISTS
Plain speaking to the youth of the " deadly contrivances which prevent boys marked Cardinal Hinsley's broadcast sermon on Youth Sunday.
" There can be no Youth Movement unless there are youths to move," said the Cardinal.
" Certain dangerous folk advocate measures which would spoil family life and rob the home of its chief purpose and joy. They advertise deadly contrivances which prevent boys and girls from coming into the world to gladden the hearths of our country and to add to the strength of the nation. A brave and sturdy race is not bred by mechanical devices, but by a sound healthy family life."
The Cardinal illustrated his point by recalling how the King when he presented the Victoria Cross to the mother of the late Lieut.-Comdr. Esmonde, asked how many sons she had in the forces. " Only four now, Sir," she answered, " Five brave sons from one home!" commented the Cardinal, " But how tragic the contrast 'Chen we read in the casualty lists that nearly half the brave British boys that die in the cause of the world's freedom are only sons! . . . 'There will always be a Britain '—yes, but only if there are more families like that of Mrs. Esmonde to continue British life and British courage. The best Youth Movement, the best education of youth, is that which naturally takes place in the family where there are plenty of brothers and sisters."
" Please don't think I am going to talk to you like a patronising old grandfather!" the Cardinal's broadcast began. " We've got nothing to be patronising about! We old stagers are not leaving you a perfect world. You have to make a better place of this earth than we have made it. You will do so if you realise two great truths.
" First -of all, be yourselves. Keep young.
" Secondly, give your youth to God. Whose priceless gift it is.
" Keep young. Keep the spirit of youth ; keep the ardour, the enthusiasm, the freshness, the idealism, which snake youth the springtime of life. The trials to come will be a hard test for your ideals; but don't let them be crushed.
" Each of you has a personality ; The Catholic Pharmaceutical Guild, following up the lead of the Cardinal, is to organise a public meeting to draw attention to the national danger to the country through birth-prevention and to take action upon the question.
A preliminary meeting of representatives of Catholic Societies will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m., in the Interval Club, Soho.
Hepresentathes of all Societies are asked to attend, whether they have received special invitations or not. Will they please communicate with Mr. Macbeth, 150A, Peckham Park, London, S.E,
each of you has unique gifts; each of you has a part to play, a special place to fill, for the betterment of your generation,. for the advancement of truth and for the increase of goodness in the world. Nothing must be allowed to damp that vital spark in you, young men and women of Britain, wherein lies the hope of a fuller and better life for the generations to come.
" Give your youth to God. There is no greater gift of God in the natural order than youth. And I want to tell you very earnestly that since youth is God's greatest gift to you, so your (Continued on page 5)