The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-27
TEMP0RaL AND ETERNAL.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Relg on religion in the public schools Is the
subject which now agi'ates the mind Of this country
and therefore, the subject in question opens uo con-
fictng principles The public schools, without re.
ligious training therein, can only make smart mer.
chants and ready lawyers, skiful artisans ana fair
passable American citizens-men who will develop a
civilization which seeks material ends and comforts,
and whose aim and purpose are TEMPORAL The state
of civilization OF Greece and Rome was grand and
imposing, but, in the absence Of religion 1t was
failure. Now religion has temporal influence as well
as on eternal one. 1t Is to regulate man earth
make him live in harmony with his great destiny
1t has to deal with man IN this world. Here comes
man from the womb OF Nature posse sslng natural
powers which culture IN human science and know
ledge VIII deue!op. Let religion take him in hand
and not mental education, and by persevering labor
fair Christian may be developed, but not true
man. He is only animal affecting Christianity
On the other hand, let education take him exclu
slvely-intellectual culture alone-and perfect him
in human science and he Is splendid natural pro-
duction, next IN head power, it would seem, to his
Maker. But he Is natural all through yet. The ply
steal man walks abroad IN sensuous power,
is religious ar man.
with the physical passions uppermost; and
waG Il Ssw YORK oF 0SH me
| camp meeting, Is our Christian man, covering up
natural and acquired brutality by religious power.
The Prince Of Wales calls himself Christian; but
| his conception OF Christian morality Is not any
clearer than Adams was In the Paradisial Garden,
| beast, would also be Christian but, as q general
| rule, he Is animal still. The United States OF Ame-
| rfca 10 country in which general intellectual cul-
ture is maintained for temporal ends. Therefore,
this country Is progressive IN material civil eaton.
| Ireland, on the other hand, Is a country,
from British misrue, religious contentious
and excessive eternalism in Holy Mother
Church., which Is not progressive in worldly
| prosperity. Continual dissatisfaction with Eng
| land-the majority OF the people ignorant and
almost starving, without any sensible conception OF
human liberty, satisfied with halfway measures and
then repining, continually In ferment, without pro
per unity OF purpose--Irellnd Therefore, presents
the melancholy spectacle OF eternal security: but
| temporal degradation. Education surely will de-
| velOp nations, but 1t will not save them. Wide
spread ignorance and trne religion dealt out to the
people may preserve society," but 1t will not add to
human comfort nor bring any Of the progress which
| we much prize In this country. What we
want is intellectual and religious training hand
In nand. 1t seems, IN order to satisfy al
classes and do justice to all, and at the same time
preserve intact our common school system almost
impossible TO teach religion in these schools; but
the people must be educated, ana at the same time
religion must not be ignored. In these days there
are only two parties in the religious world-CatholiC
| ana non-Cathollc. Why not, therefore, separate
the schools and let all be under the supervision o.
the StatcP This is the only way that educate
| We NUT not Ignore temporal or eternal ENDS, bu
must attempt to harmonize both and try to carry out
the intention Of washington, ana by the intelligence
and morality OF the peope preserve this noble gov
eminent and hand IL down unlmpaired to the lates
days Of the world. WESTERN CATHOLIC.