Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-03-24
EDUCATION AND RELIGION.

We have read with much interest the
lecture Of the Very Rev. Thomas Glib /
ney, Vicar General Of the Diocese OF
California, upon the subject of education.
1t is what may be called an authorita-
live view of the school question from
Catholic stand point, and as such will be
accepted. The ground taken by the
Rev. gentleman may be briefly epito-
mized thus ? That education, as now con-
Quoted, is merely preparatory to the bus
mess Of this life that teachers must ex-
ert the influence Of their own belief upon
their pupils ; that it is the duty Of parents
to provide for the religious, as well as the
secular education OF their children that
Catholic parents should, if possessed of
means to do so, educate their children in
the schools provided by that denomna-
/ tion, where the teachers are men and
women who have given their lives to the
cause of religion and that while not OBJ
| jecting to the public schools as now CON
Quoted, for those who are not OF their
faith, it is not right that Catholics should
be taxed to maintain them.
We venture the opinion that there is no
question before the American people
which possesses greater present and
prospective interest than this one Of edu-
cation. Especially is this the case in
this State, whore our Common School
system is modelled upon the best features
Of the school systems of the older States.
As Father Gibney truly says the schools
are calculated only to fit children for the
business Of life the education to fit the
soul for eternity must be obtained from
other sources. The end and aim Of
American legislation in most of The
States is 10 keep the educational mochin-
cry perfectly free from sectaran influcn-
ces Of whatever character. To do this,
to make education free and unobjection-
able to the parents Of every faith, tits ne
ceesary to Danish everything from which
sectarinn lessons can be drawn. The
religion taught publicly will possess no
value or influence upon the child's after
life unless it be supplemented by the
practice Of true religion in the home cir
Gle. 1t is in the heart of the household
that the lessons of piety which are car
ried into after life are incucnted, and
without these lessons, the outside forms
will have but little effect.
There are extremists who wish their
: views Of school discipline carried out by
making the reading of the Bible a part of
.hc formula Of common school education.
Others who want constitutional amend
mcnt recognizing the existence ofa Deity.
With neither class have we any svmpa-
thy. We recognize God by his works /;
we leave every one to worship him in his
own manner. In religion we are the crca-
lures Of education and habit-thc faith Of
our parents becomes our own, unless re-
jected by the mind when it permits itself
to reason. We have no desire to force
our belief on others, or have others force
their belief upon us. The public schools
are 90 fit US for the battle of life; the Sun
day School, The Church, and the Family
Altar to prepare us for Eternity.
Such we believe to be the feeling of the
greater portion Of our people. While
jealous Of the advances made by one de-
nomination they are equally jealous of
all. The public schools are supported in
great part by direct taxation, and in this
State, at least, taxation must De uniform
and equal. To release one denomination
from the payment Of taxes in considera-
tion Of its providing private modes of ed -
ucation for the children of its communi-
cants would be an impossibility, even if
the temper Of the masses would submit
10 it. For upon the school system the
people are actuated by one mind. Men
OF all denominations Of the Protestant re-
ligion, Jews, and men of no religion at
all, are agreed in opposition to any move
ment looking toward division of the
: School Fund. 1t would be looked upon
MS the entering wedge which would event
} ually destroy, or render useless the entire
system.