This book a collection of passages from many writers. It will in a measure illustrate the impact of catholic thought and feeling upon world literature since the days of the apostles. I have said in a measure; for the achievement is so vast in extent and so diversified in character that a book twice the size of the present volume would illustrate it far from adequately of course the church is not concerned, in any fundamental sense, with the writings of men. It is rather, a community of faithful souls of whom Christ is the king, given to charity, prayer and the healing of the spirit unto eternal life.