The Irish standard., 1890-05-10

Catholic welcomed with warm appro-
baton the contemplated effort to
educate the Catholic masses on popu-
lar plan. Cardinal Gibbons says that
''such a stimulus to self.culture is I'M
doubtedly need of our times" and he
has given assurance Of his hearty good
wishes for the great and lasting success
Of the movement.
The first circle TO show its earnest
and practical appreciation Of the plan
was the Home Circle Of Youngstown,
which now contains over 100 members.
Other cities quickly responded to the
suggestion of the Catholic Educational
Union. When the regular course of
reading was taken UP in October last.
the very first to send in his allegiance
ITO the cause, with roll of more than
twenty members, was the Rev, M. A..
Lambing, of Scottdale, Pa. Then in
rapid succession followed Meadville.
Oil City, Derry and Philadelphia in
Il Pennsylvania; Salamanca, Oswego and
jamestown in New York; Antwerp,
,Paulding, narmar. Massilon and Al
9liance in Ohio; Harrisville and Detroit
lin Michigan. Bear Creek and Monroe in
wv I isconsin; Covington, Ind, Baltimore,
Maryland; Savannah and Atlanta in
Georgia; Del Rio, Tex; Harlem IN
Missouri; Central City. Neb.; Atchinson
in Kansas: Gallup, in New Mexico;
Santa Anna, CAL. Stoneham. Mass.
And to show that the formation is still
going on, we have just received official
report OF the officers and members to
the number of 81, of the DeSales Circle,
q e. u. of Oakland. Cal. ~
4. THE ATHENS OF THE PACIFIC.
# It has been intimated that many
Catholics have the erroneous idea that
by identifying themselves with the
union and joining reading circles 1t pre-
supposes, ignorance on their part, while
others would rather remain ignorant
than to admit that they are in need OF
instruction, Such foolish pride is alb
s..rd. Many educated Catholics have
entered into the spirit Of the plan with
the warmest zeal. and have organized
circles in which are found together
professional men, business men. teach
ers. mechanics. and persons from every
walk in life. Those who have been so
fortunate as to have received oppor-
tunlties of advanced education, sound
training and. good social and moral
influence, could not do more COM
mendable act than to ally themselves
with reading circles and aid in lifting
up their less fortunate brethren to a
higher plain of intelligence. Good ex
ample, fellowship, discussions and
interchange OF ideas arc the elements
which constitute the educational ad-
vantages of reading circles.
The Catholic Educational Union does
not conflict with existing associations.
On the contrary, it can be made use
full adjunct to them and be conductive
of the most beneficial results. Lyceums
and institutions would find that. by
adopting this method of systematic
reading, new life would be infused into
literary societies which exist in name
only, and viyor impaired which would
excite members to renewed effort for
the attainment of the object for which
such societies were organized. Iasti-
tutes possess all the facilities for sue
cessfully carving out this idea. They
have libraries, suitable places in which
to meet, and other necessary conven-
fences. They should make these ad.
vantages accessible to the Catholic
young women, and invite them to
cooperate In this particular
branch of the work.
We should concentrate our forces and
have unity of action. There are great
possibilities before us if we only utilize
the resources at our command.
By the reading and study of history
we learn Of the rise and growth Of the
vast empires which have existed, the
causes which led to their destruction
and their influence in advancing or re-
tardlng the progress of the human race.
By the Study Of literature we learn of
tile growth and development Of the
human mind; the thoughts and feelings
which animated men and the influence
of earlier literature upon our own.
By the study Of art we are filled with
admiration with the works OF Dante.
an Angelo, Rafael and Beethoven.
aud we are impressed with the convic-
tion that such masterpieces never EN-
anated from minds 7itiated by sensual
or ignoble desires. The study OF the
works Of nature increases our observa-
tion. gives us an acuteness of cOmpre-
hension. and we see EVERYWHERE evil
dences that all things are directed by a
divine intelligence. The sky and earth
and air and all they contain are the
manuscripts of God, in which He has
written the wonders Of His infinite
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