PROPAGATION OF TILE FAITH, ASSOCIATIONS FOR ROMAN CATIIOLIC. The earliest and the highest in dignity of these has been already described under the head PROPA GANDA (q.v.). But the present century has produced several private associations, the resources of which arise almost entirely from voluntary annual contributions, and the organization of which is most complete and most extensive. The first of these is that founded at Lyons in 1822, under the title " Uuvre de la Propagation de la Foi," with a branch at Paris, and subordinate branches in the other Catholic kingdoms. It is under' the direction of a council at Lyons and Paris, which communicates as well with the local associations through which the funds are supplied by small weekly, monthly, or yearly contributions, as with the missions to the aid of which the fund so raised is applied, by an apportionment regulated according to the necessities of each, especially for the supply of missionaries. The piety of contributors is stimulated by the exhortations of the. popes, .and the granting of indulgences to those who, with the other requisite disposi tions, shall aid in the Work. The journal of the society, entitled d nooks de is Propaga two, de is Poi, is e very interesting hi-monthly collection of letters and reports in French.
from the different missions connected with the central body. The receipts of this asso elation for the year 1863 were 4,788,496 fr., 86 c. Of this sum, by far the largest pro portion was raised in France-3,307,248 fr. Italy came next, though at a long interval, contributing 420,653; Belgium gave 271,597; Germany, -o1,51,3; the British islands, 127, 009. The Franco-German war and the changes in Italy produced some diminution of
this revenue: but some later years' returns have been even more considerable. Spain, once the propagator of the Gospel in the New World, contributes very little: but it is to be observed Sat Spain maintains for has own missionary enterprises a large and liberal establishment in connection with the mission of the Philippines and the South Sea.
Another association of somewhat later date is the "Leopoldiner-Verein," established at Vienna in 1829, for general purposes, but the chief object of which is to assist the missions of German origin, especially in America. This association also has its own journal, entitled Berlelik der .Leopolal no. Stiftung. It is under the presidency of the archbishop of Vienna, but has extensive foreign relations. A third is that established in Bavaria as an offshoot of the Lyons association, under the name " Ludwigs _Missions Verein." Like that of Vienna, its chief, although not exclusive object, is the sup port of German missions. The Ludwigs-Verein is conducted under the auspices of the archbishop of Munich. All these associatiations, although quite independent in their management and direction, nevertheless maintain close relations with the propaganda of Rome, and are often guided by the recommendations of the cardinal prefect in the distribution of their funds to particular missions.