The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09

and personal gratlncatlOn -tney nave
taught that the epoch of the complete
at length come, and that youth and
inexperience is not only capable of self
government, but may also undertake the
direction of public affairs, and decide and
settle the most difficult and delicate ques-
tons. What has been the success Of such
an attempts We witness it every day.
An education from which God and his re-
ligion are banished has done the mischief.
An education in which God and religion
will resume their rightful place can alone
accomplish the desired good.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, who are they
that are qualified to impart to youth that
precious education from which is to ema-
nate the happiness of individuals, as well
as the glory and prosperity of nations
hope you do not anticipate, ladies and gen
tlemen, that l am going to tell you: Send
your children (by far your most precious
earthly treasure) to our institutions. In
us yon will find the men capable of accom-
plishing the difficult task of forming their
young hearts to virtue, and of guiding
them 'in the ways of truth" What
such language. In the eyes of any one
who understands the important but diff
cult work of education, it would perhaps
be very presumptuous to give expression
to such sentiments and yet trust it may
be said, without Boosting, that our efforts
and not unfrequently with complete sue
cess. Of this you, yourselves, must be the
best Judges. And in connection with this
topic, must not omit to thank the fathers
and mothers here present for the confidence
they have honored us with in committing
to our care their dear children. To you,
ladies and gentlemen, we are indebted for
the encouraging patronage we received on
our arrival on you also we shall depend
after God, for the future success and pros
perity Of this rising institution. But, ladies
and gentlemen, let me ask You once more
be able to impart to those dear children a
truly and really soun0 education You,
fathers and mothers of families, and you
alone, can do it. IN it's tenderest infancy,
the child receives those early impressions
which nothing can efface-while the happy
knees, and to recline on her loving, scnsi-
tive and maternal heart. All +! it is then
that his own tender heart is formed after
| that of his mother. 1t isthen that it draws
| from the maternal heart all those inspira-
| tons, all those noble sentiments which will
afterward direct him in the path of life :
path which, as the understanding be-
comes more matured, is invariably shaped
on the model presented by the father.
We. the instructors of youth, simply col
lect the fruits and render productive the
advantages of parental training, and if we
|
pupils to virtue, land this is our constant
aim,) it is under your fostering eyes and
with the help Of your soothing advice and
encouraging example that we can hope for
a result worthy of Christian youth, and
creditahle {" Christian parents.
G:o;.; ~. lime are. therefore, the
duties which the parents have to discharge
with regard to the education of their chill
dren. Parents are the associates of God
| in his providential designs. The father is
| ~, fh6A m q of
His divine authority; the mother is the
most beautiful expression of His goodness
and of His loving tenderness: Here, then,
we see united in parents all that can COM
mand success in the education of children,
viz: Moral authority, power of action
Joined with love, tenderness and affection.
But, ladies and gentlemen. let us never
separate religion from education. In this
age of progress, all the systems and theo-
ries which the most inventive mind could
devise to separate the one from the other,
y, have been tried by turns, but unsuccess-
fully so much SO that we have come back
to the starting point-to this time-honoreG
principle: that the only true aud solid c1h-
cation is that ,rhich is Inspired by faith and
ririfed 6y>feligions preccpts.
This is the only system of education that
can restore peace and harmony, confidence
and tranquility amidst the confused and
disturbed elements of modern society.
Pray. ladies and gentlemen, do not allow
yourselves to be imposed upon and carried
away by the false and widely spread prin-
ciples: '"That in this age of enlightenment
and commercial pursuits, the attention of a
child, whilst at school, should be exclu-
sively confined to the study of commercial
rules and scientific disquisitions.'
- Undoubtedly, ladies and gentlemen, use
full and practical knowledge must be taught,
and in this respect we trust we are able to
compete with other collegiate establish
Z ments. We pride ourselves on being fore
me- at amongst the advocates of the most
useful and highest branches of education
In our anxiety to accelerate child's pro-
} gress through the path of science, we wish
that some wonderful invention, like the
telegraph OF the railway, might be discov.
, cred. We would readily adopt it. So ia,