The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-01
The Tenth Anniversary OF the
University Convocation.
The Rev. P. J. Dealy, S. j., on the
Question Of Secular VS.. Re-
ligiOus Education.
The Present System and It's Mer-
It's, Dement'S and Dangers.
Education without Religion the Cause Of In.
telnatiOnalism and Communism.

ALBANY, July 81, 1874
On the 9th day OF January, 1883 the Board OF Re-
gents established q wholesome custom, that has
ever since been annually paid the utmost rever.
ence. II was deemed advisable at that period
by Chancellor Pruyn that at least once q year all
the colleges, academies normal schools, and aca-
denical departments of Union schools subject to
the visitation Of the Regents of the University
should be represented at o cOnvocation The OBJ
)ects OF the Regents wersv to consider the mutual
relations OF colleges and academies and to promote
es largely as possible the cause Of liberal educa-
ton in our State. 1t was argued in iurtherance OF
the plan that while 1t Is part of the duty OF the
Regents Of the University to visit all the colleges
and academies subject to their supervision, 1t was
obvious that this could not be done
as frequently as desirable and that some
method by which teachers brought together from
various parts Of the State, might compare views
with each other and with the Regents ana discuss
methods of instruction and general modes of pro-
cedure was absolutely necessary. 1t was argued
further that the numerous institutions OF which
the University is composed are not, as in England,
crowded into single city, but are scattered for
popular convenience over the entire State, and 1t
was hoped that
AN ANNUAL coNvocArION
would result in the more intimate alliance and CO.
operation Of the various institutions holding char
tered rights under the Regents. The attainment Of
the following objects was the main hope of the
Regents In inaugurating the convocation CUSTOM
FtrSt-To secure better acquaintance among
those engaged in these departments of instruction
with each other and with the Regents
Second-T0 secure an Interchange OF opinions
on the best methods Of instruction in both col
leges and academies.
Tntrd-lo advance the standard Of education
FOs1rth~To adopt such common rules as may
seem best fitted to promote the harmonious work.
FUtn-To consult and cooperate with the Regents
In devising and executing such plans OF education
% the advanced state OF the population may
St1tA-To exert direct influence upon the people
and the Legislature OF the State, personally and
citation Of thorough system of education, together
with such pecuniary aid and legislative enactments,
IS will place the institution thus represented in
position worthy OF the population and resources
ofthe State.
Since the year when these objects were declared
the educational policy, 80 to speak, Of the
ApNual conyocatiop every recurring year has
Witnessed grand gathering Of I'VE wits and
sagesn from the faculties Of the various colleges
and academies In the State. The session
contnued until to-day was the tenth SO far hea
There were present, as usual large number OF
gentlemen, representatives OF colleges and acade.
mies. The proceedings were carried on with all
that regard to decorum and dignity which distin-
guishes general meetings OF cultured men at the
The most interesting feature ofthese annual convo
cations is the reading by members who previously
give notification that they Will do SO, OF papers on
various subjects Of interest. These papers are
always discussed 10 q friendly h way, and the result
differences of opinion on important
MATTERS CONCERNING EDUCATION
and other subjects OF general interest become not
only known to all, but often harmOnized Among
those representatives Of colleges who were pres
emit to read papers to-day was the Rev. ?; j. peay,
a q nVfnr Nnilan Maui Va
Father Dealy has been regular attendant at the
conversations for years past in fact he Is the only
fact that ali the other members are Protestants,
some OF them ministers, Is by no means draw.
back to him. as ne never as 70 rsGese o az the the
pthers, every Kindness and courtesy possible.
When Jesuits are being hunted like dogs in Mexico
and Germany it is no small credit for New York to
have it to say that Jesuit is ever welcome in her
c0nvocations OF learned men, and that his religion
Is not looked upon as q fearful something that
ought to debar him from society,
The paper which the reverend gentleman read
now the Of
tion ought to unite oil classes Christians There
were two views IN his opinion to be taken OF edu-
cation-the Christian and unchristian. 1t was i'm
portant, therefore, that we should consider the
principles upon which the battle is TO be fought.
does not provide for the training of youth in rehg
ion and morality as well as Importing TO them
scientific or classical or artistic culture. me rev,
religious education, the teaching Of religion upon
doctrnal basis and that, shorn OF religion, educa.
ton was not truly education, for If education was
divorced from religion there was left only an in
complete teaching, an intensely nom Christian edu-
tends to make youth forget they are Christians,
whereas, on the contrary, experience IN history
4 RELIGIOUS SPIRIT FOSTERS SECULAR EDUCATION.
II was, he believed, an tmpossibility to have
full course Of secular education without involving
The relations between teachers and scholars lead to
personal influence Of the one over the other Il
no argument to show what the consequence would
be to the scholar. How could Christian parent
under the fest secure Os NE t
init his disbelief to his child Will not c0n1de II 10
Catholic Q strictly Protestant teaching. All
Christians, he remarked were interested IN uphold.
Christians are agreed IN maintaining the truths Of
which was lmperiiied BY separating religion from
education All Christian bodies were anxious, he
selves and since they are attached to their respeC
tive religions they cannot easily be handed over TO
pc subjected to adverse influences; One Christian
sheir fellow Christians who regard such influences
% prejudicial. The Protestant was justified in
SCHOOL WHERE NO RELIGION 10 TAUGHT,
because Professionalism Is only religion OF inquiry.
authority, and who receive the decisions Of that
authority, have objected to education separated
from religion. Both were consistent. Unbelievers
who reject revelation and quarrel with everybody
on religious matters, agree on certain principles
with Christians first, freedom OF opinions; second,
consistency; third conscienti0usness. They, fol-
lowing their principles, will justify Christians in
sending them to their proper schools Then as for
che results to secular education in those countries
where 1t has had fair trial and where the princi-
pies that govern secular education Is that child
hood is depot which society has placed under the
protection Of the State. The general tendency OF
this kind Of education was to create inhdes-not
Christians. This view of the case the reverend
gentleman supported by quoting from DE Gasparin,
tne dstlnguished French Protestant He added
Snet france for instance the deeds OF the Inter.
loauonahste and Communists perfectly Illustrated
THE SPIRIT OF ENLIGHTENED LIBERALISM,
wncn would ignore the teaching Of religion IN the
pointed to the immortality OF the light literature
end the Dlaspnemy Of the so-caled "heavyr works
Id france. me evils which lately beell France
could be traced TO this same teaching because the
Intelligent bigots had striven, aud at times with
success, TO Danish religion and Christian faith from
she minds OF the young. Indeed error was pre-
sentng Itself IN our days in the Christian world in