The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-02-14

rIoN.-In accordance with previous an
nounccmrnt Right Rev. Abbot Martin.
lccturcd 10 full houses. at the hall where
blind Justice is supposed 10 preside. on
last Friday. and continued his remarks
on Sabbath afternoon. The questions
he treated on are agitating the civilized
world. in all countries. and even coun-
tries heretofore ranked as half civilized
are developing an interest in them. In
Germany they are the subject of imperial
cdicts, and clerical wrangling: ia Aus
tria. the Legislative body is discussing
them: they orcnpy part of the Queens
address TO tie Parliament of England.
delivered two weeks ago and even Ja-
pan and China are earnestly seeking
solution Of the difficulties surrounding
them. 1t is not TO ne wondered ut. then.
that the learned lecturer had large and
attentive audience, composed of repre-
scntativcs of all classes. His lecture
was not so much of an attempt 10 solve
the difficulties surrounding the ques-
ton, but rather 10 show authori,atvelv
the position of the Catholic ChT, ch in
regard 10 the present school system Of
our State. and the dnty OF Catholics in
regard thereto. and that he handled lis
subject ably and eloquen,ly was a,tested
by the marked and close attention given
him by his large audience.
lie began by explaining that he loved
lberty-was born under the skies of The
Republic of Swi'zerlana, where free Ill
situations had been preserved for cent :
ries. and freedom of conscience allowed ::
and that he spoke in behalf OF liberty :;
that no man might have that forced up
on him OF which his conscience did not
approve: and inculcated the doctrine
that where any laws interiered iih lhe
freest dictates OF con science. that law
was wrong: aud !; was Tie conscientious
duty OF Catholics 10 obey tie dictates
OF their conscience, though il might be
against their worldly Interest. All Cath
olics believe in Col as the Supreme
beIus. In Christ as their Saviour, and
IN their Church as the exponent OF the
Almigltys will ;ard the Church teaches
that religion j, TIE OBJECT of life. and
should he sought first, to the exclusion
or all else, as life in this world wa, bnt
preparatory for the eternity hereafter.
Then 1t followed that religious educa-
ton could not begin too early, nor con-
tlnue too long, and that al education
which did not have religion As il; prin-
cipal object was tending to corrupt the
human mind, and would eventually
destroy all respect for God and his word.
ana undermine our free institutions.
In support Of this assertion he read
from Bishops LittIejohn and Potter. of
'ne r. Episcopal church, Of Long Island
and New York. and also from the renort
Of the Superintendent Of Instruction of
New York, and numerous Catholic au-
thoritics. 1t was therefore the duty Of
the State in making provision for the
education of children, to make il oblig-
atory that religious instruction should
DC impaired. and the duty of Catholics
TO work for the election of such persona
10 Office as would enact such laws. 1t
was the further duty of Catholics, as
their conscicncos dictated, TO abstain
from sending their children to secular
schools. in which no religious doctrines
were taught, because religion was the
object of life. and MUST be taught to the
children, and the Church would provide
schools for their proper Instruction.
lie, however, thought that under our
present system, where school district
was composed entirely Of persons OF
one religious belief, the desired objec,
might be accomplished under that pro-
vision Of the law which allows other
branches TO be taught where school
meeting dcsignatcs them, and that the
rights Of conscience of every one should
be respected by thus permitting it; and
the law should be SO made as to allow
twenty-five families anywhere to form
school district. and designate what
they wished taught in their school, and
employ the teacher they desired. liz
recognized fully the duty and neccssit,
Of the State TO provide for the education
Of her children, but ccntendcd 10 wouIt