CATHOLIC SOCIALISTS. 
137 
action of each group. Local autonomy with unity of action in 
the interests of the Church, such is the principle. No one of our 
associations, said the committee, is to imagine that it can bring 
a ready-made solution of the most difficult problem set before 
the modern world, or to presume to enjoin upon others, as a 
Messianic revelation, the particular organization which it may 
have thought the best. Each Christian Social association 
ought to be allowed full freedom of action within the sphere 
which it has chosen for itself It is its business to look after 
the wants of its members and the local necessities. To impose 
the same regulations upon all would be to shut out the future, 
and to cut the roots of all independent growth. These associa 
tions will not be the instruments which the Church will employ 
to solve definitely the difficulties in the way of the organization 
of a better and truly Christian society. When the hour shall 
have come, the Head of Catholicism will himself designate 
the ministers into whose hands this duty may be assigned in 
all confidence. 
Ihese mptical hopes please the masses. Moreover, it 
was a splendid idea, and one which certainly cannot injure the 
influence of the clergy, to entrust to the Pope the economic 
transformation of society. The holy father is here presented 
as a new Messiah, who will fulfil the promises of the millennium, 
by precipitating into the abyss Ricardo, Malthus, “the iron 
law Ramberger, and the whole of f.iberal “ Manchesterdom," 
he Catholic Social party succeeded in gaining, all at 
adherents by adopting Kol- 
ping s Catholic journeyman clubs " (Katholische Gescllvcreine). 
of seventy thousand members Peasant clubs (Bauernverein,)