The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-25

quoted efyom q speech in the British far
lament, by Rev. Mr.. Richards, in which
that gentleman used the following iah-
guage.
.sTwo countries have tried national educa-
ton, the religious, the otnef 'su"at;.
system. In Prussia the teaching ID uoS Tha
cally religious, and what il the result IN
Prussians are the most irreligions peoPP,te . ~.
Europe On tho other hand, the Unltea ssa .he
have secular education, aud the peopAo "'' VIZ
most religious in the world"
This soundslike irony to persons VINO ac-
tnally live in the United States ana kno"
something about it. We may not kno"
much about the rest of the world, out we
IN, safely say that if Americans are the
most religious people in it, it's character is
not at a high standard of piety.
So GREAT ia our astonishment at nncinG
What a lofty position Mr. Richards assigns
to us. that We even feel a little doubt as TO the
accuracy Of his estimate. We fear thaS ne
a,tters as a little. The most religious
people in the world Surely MIR. Richards
| ia an ardent admirer. Perhaps he has never
really visited America, and only judges US
from some highly colored accounts that ne
has received second hand, or perhaps-h
we might suggest such thing with great
Observation-Disclosures he is one OF these H.
neuious gentlemen, who create their theory
6,st and then see all facts by its light. MIR.
Richards hobby is, that secular e"aea'ioh
is good, and religious education Is pau,
t,erefore. Americ;. must be religious, ana
therefore it is religious.
We make very little doubt that the Rev.
Gentleman is entirely correct in his estl-
Il ~ hat fhn Jnh
of that common school country are 1aifsy
entitled to the distinction of being the
most irrelisious people in Europe, but
we also think that, if any country can set
up rival claim in that respect, 1t Is that
norton of the United States where common
school education principally prevails, that
is. New England. Rev. Richards says that
education in Prussia is strictly and dog
" matically religions, while in the United
States it il secular. Very true, ana IN our
opinion it is hard to tell which system mas
borne the ripest fruit of infdelity and I'M
. morality.
Religion soon falls into contempt when
;. its sacred doctrines are taught under the
=, lasi, aud it's invitations extended through
the channel of an Indifferent or unbeiev-
3, ing hireling. Children may learn certain
set lessons containing its doctrines, buf
with a growing determination to get rid OF
the detested job as soon as possible. vi
: course their release from school Is theil
- enfranchisement from religion.
But Mr.. Richards confdes in the opposite
plan. He says:
Let the State give what the State only car
Il give, literary and scientific education, leaving
e religious teaching to home influence anu u
-. the religious bodies of the country.
He is determined the children shall MOI
be disgusted with fine instrument 10y tht
. coarse, rude playing of unskiiled hands
!, therefore the instrument is sent away from
:. the school entirely, and they come ava.
:. ignorant of music unless they learn it else
where. Mr.. Richards favors the Infde
school where religion is totally ignored
and where it's acquaintance is contemptu
On ously cut. He refuses to let children b
"a taught their religion during the hour
which they consiuer fairly devoted to stud.
- and RENTS that portion of education t.
), home influence which very oftep is the di
-, rectly- reverse of religious. You remin
him that the Church has been organized t
teach religion through its accredited nin
istry, and has not relied upon home infu
ence to effect that end, and he then speak
of the " religious bodies of the country.
~, But what can the religious bodies do whe
you seize upon the poor child and take hlI
awayf from their watcliful care during al
ou most the whole day, in fact during ever
&c hour of it which he can properly devote t
intellectual effort. You say, there is SUI
day. But the good influence of one day
=. seven cannot counteybaance the ev
We working of the other six. Why should
an boy study arithmetic six days and spiritu.
eo matters only one
~ No. Mr.. II. is of that class of false shel
M herds who don the livery of Sod, IN wti'
1T, TO serve the devil. He pleads for religio
'"S and rejScts the means of teaching it,
mt breaches morality and snatch"s he'pl"
ed, children away from that wntchfUl, zealo
rs care which alone can guard their mnocen'
~ He vauu's liberty Of conscience, but m"v
II heaven and earth tn rear children Is Ill
lis dsis rather than thUt they Should be {
t tholics.
yal
ful IIlLrY's Holiday SroUEs.--liaiey's stores
tor Contpefciu Place and Pny streets are just now
uS, most .ushed and attractive places i'll the city