The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-20
rorHuo srAR AND CATHOLIC XsH0kA
,rw op,rArs SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20. 1858.
THE BIsHoP OF NEwARHs PASTORAL Ls1fAA'

TIE DNHOP OF NEWARK FADIVnAA A" ,
The Rt. Rev. James Roosevelt ba5iey,
Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, mas JUST
issued a pastoral letter to the clergy anu
people of his diocese. We give entire the
norton of it relating to education, that
subject being of paramount interest," 'oOu'
readers, and of general apphcation' lne
Church has taken a position on this poin'
from which it will never recede; ana IL
bebooyes the laity, with becoming alacrity
and cheerfulness,< to cooperate IN every
method prescribed by the spiritual author
ity-above all, in sustaining parocMai
schools. No true Catholic can, with impun-
ity, be Indifferent on this subject Retrlbu-
ton, though slow, is sure to follow; ana the
ordeal through which the country mas
passed and is now passing may he justly
referred to the materialism pervading the
popular mode of education in vogue. The
PHILOSOPHY of "Poor Richard" has sup
PLANTED the precepts of the Gospel-the
factory and counting house are the affairs
on which men sacrifce-and incense to
Mammon is the most acceptable worship.
Need we wonder Mt the natural corrollary-
corruption in high places, and private
integrity almost obsoletc9 Our ark OF
safety can alone be found in the Christian
teachings of our parochial schools and col
leges.
SCHOOLS AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION.
We cannot use too strong language 10
both clergy and people upon the matter OF
Christian education. The time has passed
when there can be any difference OF opinion
amongst us on this point. Experience has
proved that unless Christian instruction
prNnvo md
regulate intellectual culture, it would be
better, in the majority of cases, for the
individual and for society, If he had been
left in ignorance. There is nothing that
shows how far the American MIND mas
departed from the true idea OF revelation
and real Christian civilization than the
absolute manner in which it has committed
itself and the future destinies OF this coun-
try to the theory of mere secular education.
We may regret the injustice of this system
toward ourselves, who are taxed to support
it and vet cannot conscientiOusly take any
part in it; but as Christians, believing that
the doctrines and principles of Christianity
are the necessary basis OF any permanent
greatness, must mourn over the folly OF
q people who, whilst they are laboring to
build up a magnificent ediiice, are, at the
same time, destroying the foundations on
which it rests. 1t is absurd to talk of
morality as separated from religion and
Dositiye dogma. Christian virtue requires
constant self denial, and no person o,
people will practice self denial merely to
satisfy sentiment. No one who dweil'
upon the result of the popular education O.
this country, as exhibited In GomInerc !
and business transactions, in halls OF legis-
lation and political combinations, can deny
that the whole American mind is much
more strongly imbued with the principles
of Benjamin Franklin than with those o.
the Christian catechism; and Whilst al
rejecting and religiously disposed persons
are lamenting over these things, declaring
that with few exceptions there is no longe
any family with its sacred influences; M
. longer any children over five years oid IN
longer any obedience or reverence OF non
estV: that our young women think only o
dress and amusement, and are unht TO ID
wives or mothers that our public men ar
seeking only their own interests; thau rea
Craftsmanship has departed from amongs
rs. that neither the men nor the principle
of the olden time exist any longer they
not point ont the real cause OF all TINS, nc
attempt to correct it. 1t is all very well
talk about the American atmosphere an
the spirit of the country, but the America
atmosphere, in this sense OF the word, al,
the spirit of the country result directl
from the whole training OF the America
mind and character. Everybody Is taiklr
about education, the advantages OF e9uc
tion. the necessity of education, ana y
almost all have come to use the word In
norrowcst and most imperfect meaning,
implying mere cultivation OF the !nteilectu
faculties and even this is done Ill the mo
snnerfcial manner, by examining the mil
with facts, instead of making it reflect al
reason. The great majority even of tho
Who write upon the subject have no high
view. They seem to have forgotten tn
education, in any proper sense OF the woi
man, and his eternal as well as temper
destiny that it begins with almost t
beginning of life; that its most importa
lessons, those which have the greatest
feet upon the future, are learned in cal
youth, and that if the heart and soul be i
then imbued with the love and fear of q