Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/231

Mr. Polášek will be presented in the next issue of the S. L. in the section called “Prominent Americans of Czech and Slovak Ancestry”

We might add that President Wilson, the friend of the Czechoslovaks, as he is frequently called by them, died four years ago on February 3rd—the month of great American presidents. It is not hard to understand why the Czechoslovaks venerate the memory of President Wilson. He was their friend in need, and hence they will never forget him.

In 1889 he wrote of the Czechs in his book entitled “The State”.

“Bohemia, although she has so much of individuality and boasts so fine a history of independence, is swallowed up in Austria. No lapse of time, no defeat of hopes seems sufficient to reconcile the Czechs of Bohemia to incorporation with Austria. The pride of race and memories of a notable and distinguished history keep them always at odds with the Germans within their gates and with the government set over their head”.

In an address to Czechoslovaks in Washington on September 9, 1918 he said: “By your conduct throughout the war, especially by your armies you have demonstrated that you insist upon complete independence; we have merely recognized an accomplished fact”.

On July 18, 1919, addressing the Czechoslovak Legions from Siberia, he said: “Your steadfastness in purpose, your unshaken belief in high ideals, your valor of mind, of body and heart evoked the admiration of the world”.

The Czechoslovaks are a grateful nation, one token of their gratitude being the Woodrow Wilson memorial in Prague.

It is to be regretted that the Catholic doctrine of vocations is not well understood by young people as also by their parents. According to the great theologian Suarez, a vocation is a fixed manner of living, established to preserve grace in this world and to obtain glory in the world to come. Thus it is seen that our youth must not rashly enter upon a state of life for which they are unfitted; on the other hand, the boys or girls who feel themselves called to the higher life should receive every help and encouragement.

The want of priests and religious throughout the country is most acute. The present day awakening of interest in the cause of Slavonic missions has further increased the need of men and women who are willing to offer themselves to spread the glad tidings of the merciful Saviour among those in need of that message.

The graduates of our Catholic schools and colleges should take earnest thought on this subject. While all Catholics, as participants of the divine cult of Jesus Christ, ought to do their best to spread the doctrine of their master; yet the obligation of consecrating their lives to this work rests upon the chosen ones.