CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY, THE. The beginnings of a movement in the direction of the work of the Catholic Truth Society were suggested by the Anglican movement which began with the " Tracts for the Times." About a dozen persons, Roman Catholic priests and others, recog nising the importance of cheap but attractive publications in support or in the service of the Faith, decided to con tribute a pound each for this purpose. Three booklets were published, which not only excited interest but even realized a small profit. Dr. Coffin, Bishop of Southwark, when his attention was directed to the work, became an active sympathiser and patron. Early in 188.4 a meeting was held at Messrs. Burns and Oates, the publishers, to consider the further development of the work, but no practical decision was arrived at. On November 5, 1S84, a meeting was held at Herbert House, at which Bishop Vaughan presided. The Bishop had been approached by James Britten, had consented to become President of a new society, and had suggested that this new society should take up the name and work of " The Catholic Truth Society." The society was therefore formally re established, with George Whitlow as Treasurer, and Father Cologan and James Britten as Honorary Secre taries. The earlier Catholic Truth Society had been established in 1SGS by Dr. Vaughan, Rector of St. Joseph's Missionary College, Mill Hill, Lady Herbert, and Father Bamfield. It had not been a great success. Its precursors had been a " Catholic Society for the Dis tribution of Prayer-Books, Catechisms, etc." (1S32); and a " Catholic Tract Society " (1S34), which had been amalgamated in 1S3S with the " Catholic Institute," an organization for the printing and distribution of litera ture. In connection with the re-established " Catholic Truth Society," in 1SSS an Annual Conference, somewhat similar to the Anglican Church Congress, was held. "Since then the Conferences have been an annual event in the Catholic life of England, and have afforded a platform for the delivery, by successive Archbishops, of important pronouncements affecting the action of English Catho lics " (James Britten). In February 1SS7 the work of
the " Catholic Truth Society " had grown to such an extent that special premises were taken. The Society now had important branches in Ireland, Scotland, Aus tralia, New York, and other places. Off-shoots are the " Catholic Needlework Guild " and the " Catholic Guardians' Association." The aims of the Society have been condensed into four sentences. 1. To disseminate among Catholics small and cheap devotional works. 2. To assist the uneducated poor to a better knowledge of their religion. 3. To spread among Protestants informa tion about Catholic Truth. 4. To promote the circula tion of good, cheap, and popular Catholic works. The pamphlets written to spread among Protestants informa tion regarding Catholic Truth " are unfortunately largely controversial, for in stating Catholic truth it is too often necessary to expose Protestant falsehood." In addition to pamphlets, the Catholic Truth Society publishes a number of larger works. Cardinal Newman, who had looked forward to seeing the establishment of a Catholic Society on the lines of the Anglican " Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge," is said to have found the realization of his dream in the Catholic Truth Society. Abbot Gasquet emphasises the great Importance and absolute necessity of the work of the Catholic Truth Society. " There is hardly a paper, magazine, or book —that is perhaps too wide—so let me say there are few publications by non-Catholic writers which do not display an ignorance about Catholic matters which is simply amazing. Statements are made in such works which are wholly or partly false. Sometimes this is obviously intentional, but let us hope generally that it is done in ignorance." See Abbot Ga-squet and James Britten, The Catholic Truth Society.