Page 244 - 聖母軍團員手冊（英文版，2014年5月-2022年1月更新版）

Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 239

CHAPTER 37 SUGGESTIONS AS TO WORKS 239
6. WORK FOR THE MOST WRETCHED AND DEJECTED OF
THE POPULATION
This will involve the visitation of their haunts; and of
lodging-houses, hostels and jails; and it may be, the
conducting of hostels staffed by legionaries, resident and
outdoor.
As soon as the Legion in any centre is in possession of
members of sufficient experience and calibre, this work for
the least of the least ones of Christ is to be undertaken. Too
often it is to be found neglected, with consequent reproach to
the Catholic name.
There should be no depths to which the Legion will not
penetrate in its search for the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
False fears will be the first obstacle. But false or founded,
someone must do this work. If capable and trained
legionaries, safeguarded by their prayerful and disciplined
system, cannot essay it, then no one can.
Till the Legion in any centre can say with truth that its
members know personally, and are in touch in some way with
each and every individual member of the degraded classes, its
work must be regard ed as being still in a stage of incomplete
development, and efforts in this direction must be intensified.
No searcher after the rare and precious things of the earth
must pursue his heart’s desire more earnestly than the
legionary pressing after these unfortunates of the world. His
search may be their only chance of life eternal. Frequently
they are so inaccessible to good influences that prison
represents for them a blessing in disguise.
Moreover, the outlook of a campaigning soldier must be
brought to bear on this work. Obvious inconveniences will
face the legionaries. Perhaps to the ‘slings and arrows’ of
outrageous words, worse things may be added. The ‘rifle-fire’
of blows or the ‘artillery’ of injuries may be turned upon
them. Such things may humiliate and pain, but they must
not intimidate; they should hardly even disconcert. Here lies
the test of the solidity of the soldierly professions which have
so often passed through the mind of the legionary and have
so many times been uttered by him. He has spoken of a
warfare. He has talked of seeking for the worst of people; now
that he has found them, it would be inconsistent of him to