Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-08

tivatiOn OF all that rehneS. We 90 not
think that anyone there, after looking into
these things clearly, will let Catholic
parents De forced 10 erect and support
schools which they can't use for the in
structiOn OF their children
"As FOR THOSE CATHOLIC CHILDREN
that in great numbers are educated in the
public schools, where now, not without
danger, they have no religious instruction
at all, strenuous efforts should be made not
TO leave them without sufficient and sea
sonable instruction in Catholic faith and
practice. We know by experience that not
ali our Catholic children are found in our
| Catholic schools. Statistics show that
hundreds Of thousands OF Catholic children
in the United States of America attend
schools under the control Of State Boards,
and in which, for that reason, teachers OF
every denomination are engaged. Beyond
all doubt the only thing necessary, /. O.. re-
Hgious and moral instruction according to
Catholic principles, is not TO be treated
either lightly or with deiay, but on the
contrary with al earnestness and energy.
The adoption Of one Of three plans is re-
commended, the choice TO be made accord
ing 70 local circumstances In the different
States and various personal relations.
'phe first consists in an agreement be-
tween the Bishop and the members Of the
school board whereby they, in a spirit Of
fairness and good will, allow the Catholic
children 70 be assembled during free time
aud taught the catechism: il would also be
Of the greatest advantage If this plan were
not confined TO the primary schools, but
were extended likewise to the high schools
and colleges, in the form Of free lecture.
The second: To have a catech1sm class
outside the public school building, and also
al ~ frrha frfc N w
at fixed times, the Catholic children would
assemble with diligence and pleasure, in
duced thereto by the authority OF their
parents, the persuasion OF their pastors,
and the hope Of praise and rewards.
''THE THIRD PLAN
does not seem at first sight so suitable, but
is bound up more intimately with the duty
of both parents and pastors. Pastors
should increasingly urge upon parents that
most important duty, imposed Doth by nat
ural and divine law, of bringing up their
| children in sound morality and Catholic
/ faith. Besides, the instruction OF children
appertains to the very essence Of the paro-
/ chial charge. Let the pastor OF souls say
/ to them with the Apostle: My little chill
dren, OF whom I am in labor again
until Christ be formed in you. (Gal iv.,
/ 49, Let him have classes Of children In
the parish, such as have been established
/ in Rome and many other places, and even
/ in shis country, with very happy results.
! Nor let him with little prudence, show less
/ love for the children that attend the public
I schools than for those that attend the pa
rOchial; on the contrary, stronger marks OF
/ loving sOlicitude are to be shown them; the
! Sunday school and the hour for catechism
/ should be devoted to them in q special man
ner And 70 cultivate this held, let the
| pastor call 20 his aid other priests, religious
\ persons, and even suitable members OF the
| lAity, in order that what is supremely nee
essary be wanting 70 no child.
"FOr the standing and growth or Cath
( olic schools, it seems that care should be
/ taken that the teachers prove themselves
| 70 be qualifiey, not only by previous exam
/ inatiOn before the Diocesan Board and by
q certificate or diploma received from IL,
| but also by having q teachers diploma
from the School Board OF the State award
ed after q successful examination. This is
urged, first. so as not 10 appear regard
less, without reason, Of what public auth
ority requires for teaching. Secondly, a
better opinion Of Catholic schools will be
created. Thirdly, greater assurance will
be given to parents that in Catholic schools
THERE Is NO DEFICIENCY
to render them inferior to public schools;
that, on the contrary. everything is uOne ID
make Catholic schools equal to public
schools, or even seperior. FOurthly, and
lastly, we think that this plan would pre-
pare the way for the State to see, along
with the recognized and tested fitness Of
the teachers, that the laws are observed in
all matters pertaining to the arts and sci
ences, TO methods and pedagogics, and to
whatever is ordinarily required to promote
the stability and usefulness of the schools.
1T is necessary that what are called
Normal schools should reach such efficiency
in preparing teachers Of letters, arts and
sciences, that their graduates shall not fail
to obtain the diploma OF the State. For
the sake Of the Catholic cause, let there be
among laymen a growing rivalry TO take
the diploma and dOctorate so that, pos
sessed OF the knowledge and qualifications
requisite for teaching, they may compete
for and hOnOrably obtain positions in the
public gymasia, lyceums and scientific in
stitutiOnS.
"The knowledge of truth Of every kind,
straightforward justice united with char
itv. the effulgence and appreciation OF
the liberal arts-these are the bulwarks Of
the Church
AN the above was read and considered in
the meeting Of the Archbishops, the diff
culties answered and the requisite altera-
tions made November II, 1892.