The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-03
UNIVERSITY CONVENTION.

Able Address by Il Jesuit Father on the Free
Schools OF the Monks in tho Middle Ages.
ALBANY, August 2, 1871.
The feature Of the University Convention to-day
was address BY Father Dealy S. j., on the efforts
OF the monks disseminate education by the estab.
lishment OF schools and educational institutions in
the early ages of Christendom The address was Of
marked ability and received most respectful atten
ton.
While rampant journals are stirring up the re-
ligous prejudices and bigotry OF ages, it Is an i'm.
posing sight to behold with what unanimity these
enlightened professors OF all Genomiratio assem-
BILE, endeavorlng in common TO take the lead in the
march to increased enlightenment and happiness
for men. 1t was certainly pleasing to see how
fearless Jesuit was to mingle with such
q congregation. ana with what courtesy
he was treated. Father Dealys address
was bold and animated. and he read it amid the
profound silence and attention OF the multitude. 1t
was an exhaustive and complete vindIcatioG OF the
instruction impaired in the
FREE SCHOOLS OF THE MONKS
during the early and middle ages. Eloquent ana
comprehensive, 1t ably reluted the charges oren
strove to Keep the masses IN ignorance ana were The
cause OF so-called darkness Of the middle ages"
In the very first period Of the Church's existence
her bishops, with view to combating two subtle
enemes-heahen philosophy and false theology
and having at heart the civilization OF the bar.
empnaticaly commanded mat Christian schools
should be established wherever possible. The sec.
aud every effort made to further the mission Of
the Church-to lnluse new life into Inc
that In this work the bishops were assisted by the
monks. Nor shall this be source of WONDER when
we consider sS o 1nat BY ts very nature
winch Ssonsed Saints paconas BASH and oassn
founded schools oil knowledge, and In the West the
Church sought IN every way to Undue the minds Of
tie seml-barbarian converts with the simple max
tFslJ (f.VSpf nrlfu hfo CHI
higher branches could be introduced The value OF
two OIL the greatest things on earth, wiz
LABOR AND KNOWLEDGE
was taught them ny st. Benedict and his disciples
And when the pupils became sufficiently c0nversant
arts proiane literature, philosophy, poetry ana ma.
themat.cs in no mean degree. In the sixth century
"s A'' when KING Or
band Of scholars rom the Bishops school,
Greek, Latin, Hebrew and syriac. the school
OF Lerlns and numerous others from that OF the
monks were all that could be required of them in IN
tellectual culture. Speaking OF the Irish schools,
DIR. poLLINGEn
az follows:-"Durng the sixth and seventh centu-
res the Church Of Ireland stood the full beauty Of
Its bloom. the spirit OF the Gospel operated among
the people with a vigorous and vlyify1ng power
There was not a country OF the world during
this period which could boast Of schools equal to
those that adorned this far distant land. Among
the irish The doctrines OF tine Christian religion were
preserved pure and entire. In the Bishop OF Rome
tucy ACKNOWLEDGEMENT tIe supreme Eeau Oh me Cuufcn
on EARTH and continued with him, and through nun
with the whole Church. in an uninterrupted cOmmu-
nion." The English schools OF subsequent period
are also worthy of eulogy. st. Augustin and his
disciples brought many literary works TO England,
including copy of Homer.
Leibnitz says:-"Had not the monks watched over
ard cultivated letters we would have no eruditon
at the present day." Burke, Bishop Tanner ana
other Protestant writer's were also quoted In
favor OF these views. The long labors OF Bede
and other Industrious monks, in collecting, copy
Ing ana preserving manuscripts amid the greatest
difficulties establishing libraries and thereby md.
Ing down to ourselves the immortal productions OF
ancient Intellect and genius, Including the Bible
speakers address, which occupied more than an
hour In delivery.