The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-30
An Important Exhibition.

For several weeks past. elaborate prepare
lions have been under way for an exhibit
tion afrording q complete practical illustra-
tion OF the methods and fruits Of the extern
sive system Of education pursued In the
parochial schools. colleges, academies. and
asylums supported by the Roman Catholics
OF the Archdiocese Of New York. 1t is to be
made next month at the Grand Central Pal
ace. in Lexington avenue. and will be open
to the public for at lest a week.
The Roman Catholics take great and rea-
sonable pride In this system Of education
maintained by voluntary offerings made I'M
der the impulse OF earnest devotion to their
faith. They have built 1t up at the cost OF
much self-sacriice. and on the theory.
which Is held by many Professionals also. that
education without religion is injurious
rather than beneficial to the individual
child and to society. They hold that the
only true and sufficient basis Of the morals
essential to the social order and stability is
religious faith and principle, inculcated and
cultivated during childhood more espe-
cially. They regard the divorce OF religion
from education as one Of the most danger
GUS evils Of modern civilization: and as they
make manifest the depth and sincerity Of
their conviction by maintaining parochial
schools at their own expense. they are
entitled to respect rather than unfriendly
criticism for their efforts.
At the exhibition next month as many as
sixty-one Of these parochial schools In this
city alone will be represented, and they
contain no less than 10000 pupils. Yet they
form only part Of the system Of education
sustained by the Romau.Catholics. Besides.
there are the colleges Of st. Johns. Man
haitian. and St. Francis Xavier. the De La
Sale Institute. sixteen academies. and
many asylums. protectories. and other in
situations for special training. The col
leges are distinguished particularly for the
thoroughness Of their classical education.
In which respect they rank with the very
best In the Union; and unquestionably
they are performing a service Of great
value for the public. independently Of their
religious bias.
Neither can 1t be denied that the re-
ligious education In both the schools and
colleges Is a wholesome and conservative
force in society. The Roman Catholic
Church. more than the other Churches. has
the responsibility OF controlling elements
of the population which would be the prey
Of turbulent and destructive social agitators
were they not kept under the restraint OF
its influences. 1t must deal with a great
part Of the immigrants coming here to be
moulded into American citizens. and liable.
In new surroundings. to be led astray from
the path OF salutary religious principle. 1t
must labor increasingly to keep its own
sheep within Its fold. and hence 1t seems TO
need especially TO have the direction of their
education. In order that 1t may discharge
with thoroughness duty SO vitality impor-
tant to society.
This Is tribute to Roman Catholic devo-
ton which all fair-minded and reasonable
Professionals must render. Its parochial
schools give a moral and religious training
which Ia needful. and which. else. would not
be provided for youth who without 1t would
be likely to grow up with theories and Inn
pulses prejudicial to the social order The
Roman Catholic Church In New York is one OF
the city's powerful conservative forces. and
no good citizen. whether he be Protestant,
Jew. or infidel. ought to desire to see Its in
huence weakened. 1t Is arrayed against
the pestiferous social agitation which
seeks to disrupt society and demol-
ish all its safeguards. So long. GER
tainly. as 1t carries on its work OF
educating the young at its own cost.
no one has any ground Of complaint against
its system of parochial schools; and the
practical proofs OF the usefulness OF that
training which the coming exhibition will
afford should bring satisfaction to the
whole people.
This is time when society needs TO en-
courage and assist every earnest and intel
ligent effort to provide an antidote for the
poison Its enemies are striving to inject
into its veins