Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-07-11
CARDINAL GIBBONS.
The Eminent PreIate Discusses :
Living Question.
RELIGION N Public sOHOOLs

44--NrF+~@<-~
llglous Instruction IN Public schools.
Valuable Opinions ana Suggestions FRO
and Con.
BALTIMORE, July I1.-Tnie to the an
nouncement in its issue of last week
Public Opinion, the eclectic journal Of
Washington, today publishes papers
from the pens Of Cardinal Gibbons, Rev.
DR.. Thomas Hill, ex-president of Har-
ward university; Rev. DIR. Mfnot j.
Savage, 81 Boston. and Professor w. T.
Harris. editor OF The Journal Of Specu-
lative Philosophy, on the question SIS
religious instructions in the public
schools expedient; IL SO what should be
its character and iimitationsTv
Cardinal Gibbons Opinion.
Cardinal Gibbons says that an educa-
ton that improves the mind and memory
to the neglect Of moral and religious
training Ii at best an imperfect and de-
fectiye system. 1t is, he says. eminently
useful that the intellect OF our youth
should be developed and that they
should be made familiar with those
branches of knowledge which they are
afterwards likely to pursue. II is most
A&G&&fAt&tEs w. AAAt41 AAtEy cAAOU&0 DG AAAAttG
acquainted with the history of our
country and the origin and principles Of
It's government
Religious Training Necessary.
But II Is not enough to children 70
have q secular education; they must re-
ceive a religious training. BY secular
education we improve the mind; by re-
ligious training we direct the heart.
The religious and the secular education
OF our children cannot be divorced from
each other without inficting d fatal
wound upon the soul; they must 60
hand in hand, otherwise their educa-
ton Is shallow and fragmentary. A
curse instead of blessing. Piety, says
the cardinal, Is not to be put on for
state occasions, but is to be exhibited in
our conduct at all times. Our youth
must put IN practice every day the Gods
commandments as wei as the rules of
arithmetic. Then he asks how can they
familiarize themselves with these sacred
duties If they are not daily inculcated.
Sunday schools Insufficient.
The catechetical instructions given i'm
our Sunday schools are insufficient to
supply the religious wants of children.
They should breathe every day a healthy
religious atmosphere. The combination
Of religious and secular education is
easily accomplished in denominatiOnal
schools. To what extent religion may
be taught in the public schools without
infringing the rights and wounding the
conscience OF some of the pupils Is q
problem, beset with difficulties and very
hard to be solved, inasmuch as these
schools are usually attended by children
belonging to the various Christian de-
nominations. by Jews also, and even by
those of no religion whatever.
Dr. hin Takes the Affirmative.
DR.. Hin says public schools with COM
pulsory attendance are an essential adj
Junct Of a republican form of govern
ment. And whatever may be the theo-
retic relation Of religion and morals. it
Is practically true that children can be
kept pure, truthful and honorable in no
way 50 effectually as by cultivating their
natural reverent sense Of religious
sanctions. He concludes, therefore, that
religious instruction is more than expe-
dent, It is demanded as a political ne
cessity.
DIR. Savage in the Negative.
DIR. Savage says it is none OF state
business to engage in the work OF saving
souls The state legislature or the ma
tI0nal congress may compel such popu.
lar education as fits a man intelligently
to vote, as a measure of public safety.
But the national jurisdiction and the
states is confined to this world. "Once
grant them, says DR. Savage, ssthat it
IS none Of the states business to save
souls and it follows with irexorable
logic that il is none of the states BUSH
ness to undertake the work of teaching
nnybody's special religion. If Calvin
istic father wants to teach his boy Cal
vinism nobody questions his right to do
it. But most certainly he has no right
to take money out Of my pocket (by
tax or In any other way to do so.
The same holds true os the Romanist,
jew or agnostic. The principle then is
IS clear as daylight. The public school,
supported by the equal taxation of peo-
pie of all beliefs, exists and has a right
10 exist simply and solely for the sake Of
such education as tits for citizenship.
Jumped from the Hospital w indow.
PHILADELPHIA. July IL Deputy Cor
oner Powers investigated the death Of
Ann MCGUIRE. aged 64 years. of
Nanticoke. Luxerne county, who killed
herself BY jumping cut Of window at
the Pennsy lvania hospital. Or. Thomp-
son Westcott testified that the woman
was admitted to the hospital on June "a
suffering from cancer in the breast. a
few days after she was operated upon
and showed symptoms Of improvement.
Last Saturday, however, her condition
underwent reaction, causing delirium.
She refused to allow the physician to
dress the cancer. and while he was at
tending some patients in the same room
She quietly sneaked out Of bed and
leaped from the window to the ground
70 feet Or. Westcott added. how
ever that the cancer would have soon
caused her DEATH The verdict was sui
eide while temporarily insane.