Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-11-05
Catholic schools.
BY J. @. NJ.

Two incidents recalled my promise to
write for the RECORD something OF
schools, etc. The first was recent visit
to Staunton, Va. where I preached by
invitation of the successful Bishop Of the
Staunton Presbyterian Church. / no.
ticed in the congregation a larger pro-
portion than usual of young ladies. l
learned the cause was the opening of the
aourishing Young Ladies Seminary under
the care Of the Church Upon further
inquiry | found that Staunton is famed
for schools efficiently conducted, almost
every denomination hrving a school in
successful operation. The other incident
was my notice of the following paragraph
in paper lin Catholic School at Days
ton, Ohio, it is said there are nearly
thirty Protestant children, and it il the
boast of Catholics in the United States.
that there are at least $4,000 girls taught
by nuns" This reminded me that | had
noticed the names of Protestant families
of East Tennessee on the catalogue of the
Georgetown Catholic School. In making
mention of this have been astonished to
find that SO many Aominally Protestants
send their children to Catholic schools.
Why Is 1t 1t is not because there are
not many Protestant schools superior in
all respects,
have made some inquiry concerning
the r. G. Schools-and while visiting
the one at Georgetown, noticed the
arrangements. The library was very
poor indeed, ard the greater part of the
building was given to music, every room
on the upper floor was occupied by some
musical instrument. This indicates the
advantage of such schools. The mere
ornamental and superficial part Of girls
education has the prominence there, wo
would judge. Ifindecd I desired to give
girl ouly little music and superficial men.
tai training, combined with some grace of
manner, care nothing for the soul cul-
ture and the character forming influences,
| would send her to such school
met sn East Tennesseean not long ago
who gave me his experience. He said Il
sent my two daughters to the Academy
of Visitation, Georgetown, for year,
and they seemed to learn nothing. l
then sent them to similar institution, 10
Montreal, Canada, for two years, and on
their return | found they knew less than
before. So l have concluded to put them
in the franklin School of this city Zone
of our Public Schools here) which | am
sure is superior to these they have been
attending in speaking to a lady of
this city of this case and on the general
subject, she remarked that her father for
number of years, had charge of the re,
ception of candidates to West Point, aud
that in all lis official life he had found
only few from the Georgetown Male
School (under the constitution who could
pass the examinations. We would not
do those institutions injustice. They may
have some advantages and doubtless do,
and passable education or evon a good
education might be obtained iu such
schools. But this wo ara sure is not the
chief object Of Roman Catholic schools.
TO train and develope the intellect Of
woman has not been the desire Of the r.
G. Church, except SO far as to make good
Catholics of the pupils. The system of
the r. G. Schools in the United States
has been adopted only as means of pro-
pagatipg Romanisu. We cannot find
fault with that Church because she has
chosen such powerful means. But We
are astonished often to find Protcstants
sending their children to such schools.
These schools do succeed wonderfully in
their end, and are very well adapted to
that end, Of course they disclaim any
attempt to proselyte, yet while visiting
the Academy in Georgetown, one of the
Sisters" very kind and polite. as
she showed US through the buildings said
as she took us into the oratory: "this is
for Catholic girls, yet Protes.ants may
come in and we cannot from their actions
discern the Protestauls from the Catholics"
That is they go through the same move>
ments. Every influence presses them in
that direction. Entering the large cham.
bers or sleeping rooms, where there are
numerous beds, at the farthcst end Of the
hall noticed statue, under a canopy
and candles before it. In mY innocency
said to thc sister" Excuse me / am