The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09
Infdel knowledge.


In our last number we republished from
the Savannah Eews the report Of discourse
delivered in that city by Presbyterian
clergyman, on the connection between edu-
cation and religion. 1t is subject of con-
graduation to And such views extending
among the class represented by the orator
reported. He considers knowledge q mere
weapon which gives greater power for
both good and evil, but having no
tendency in itself to affect the VIII ana
make men either better or worse. He goes
further and argues that increase OF
knowledge tends indirectly to increase vice
and crime,n for the reason that Men are
bad. with downward tendency"
This proposition is evidently stated more
broadly than was intended, because the
speaker announces himself in favor of edu-
cation under proper circumstances. He
means that knowledge without religion
has the effect described by him. He cites,
as an instance, the exceeding corruption Of
the Athenians in the age when they were
the most intelligent people as body that
have ever existed, when every citizen was
COmpStSub ShiSiS' ho sioo WA
pares the statistics of several States in the
Union, showing invariably that the pro-
portion,of crime preponderates immensely
where education has made the most ad-
vanced strides.
Facts, like those cited by him, are very
potent arguments, and it would appear that
they are strictly founded in the reason of
| II 70 nvfa hQH
with tendency, as our orator says, to get
worse. This is evidently their nature, and it
ia only the influence of religion and the sense
of responsibility in another life which con-
trolls their nature and restraints their ten
dency. 1t is a mistake to consider knowl-
edge o mere "weapon )" it becomes part
of a man. But it is essentially of the natu-
raj order and increases his natural powers
only it does not at all increase his super
natural gifts.
To educate a man intellectually, then,
10 to increase his natural powers, which, as
we have seen are enlisted on the side ofevil
rather than of good therefore, such edu-
cation inevitably makes him worse, unless
counterbalanced by corresponding amount
of moral training and instruction.
1t is then clear that Goddess Education,
as it is called, is most dangerous expert
ment. 1t is certain to increase the pupil.
: natural powers, which are much more
prone to evil than to good, while it leave
entirely to chance that increase of mora
force which 10 necessary ss counterbal
, ance. Let him get that, say our enlighten
, ed statesman, at the church and Sunda,
school. Very well, bat suppose he doe
not get it. Then he becomes dangerou
man. He and his fellow pupils fill the cal
; endars of our country with cases of shar
swindling, defaulting and forgery. The
are pest upon society-they, both nal
r and female-carrying the tone of publ
Q morals to the farthest verge of corruptio
: and dishonor.
!, This comes of following the prescriptio
q of quacks. Shallow politicians and newi
% paper scribblers catch up and repeat the CT
y of education. ELEVATE the masses by edit
eating them.' 1t is q patent nostrum I
:, cure all evils. 1t is the Infdel's schen
- to replace the Christian religion. 1t
pure quackery, and its consequence is Il
brood of pride and iusolence, of rockies
m ness and defiance, of unscrupulousness al
~ crime which has overrun our countr
10 When the crop arrives at full maturity, Il
" politicians will see clearly what kind
- seed they have sown.