The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-25
III.

In n lecture on State schools and parish
schools the question is considered whether a
union is possible between these institutions.
The Archbishop comedies to the State the right
to establish and conduct schools; he praises tho
liberality OF the State school in Offering to its
pupils gratuitOus instruction.; he acknowledge
the high value OF the American State school, so
far as the imparting of secular knowledge and
training are concerned, and he declares that not
only does he favor the establishment of schools
by the State. but would regard with approval
the enactment Of laws which should make COM
pulsory the attendance of all children in we'll
appointed schools Of come kind. either State.
parish, or private. Nevertheless the Arch
bishop does not fail to announce his
objection to tho State school of America
as 1t is at present organized. The objcc-
ton is. OF course, that no provision is made for
tho religious instruction OF children. AS it is
Just this absence of religious instruction from
the State school which has led to the establish
ment of parish or UNCONVENTIONAL schools, the
Archbishop recommends n compromise whereby
the State schoo. shall be made acceptable to tho
advocates of the parish school and shall suffice
for the education OF all the children of the land.
Two plans Of compromise. both being described
as local and temporary" are proposed for
adoption until a more satisfactory system can bc
brought forward. Ore of the plans Is modelled
upon the English system OF granting to denomi-
national schools from the public funds a portion
Of tho expenses incurred In maintaining them, the
remainder of the expenses being met by the pa
irons OF the school. Another plan regarded with
favor is that followed in Poughkeepsic. y. V,
where the city School Board rents the buildings
formerly used for parish schools. and from the
hour of 8 A. NJ. to that OF 3 p. NJ. the school is,
in every respect, II State school. Christian doc
trine is taught outside the hours for which the
buildings are leased to the board. This plan has
been in operation for some time In Ireland and
in Nova Scotia, and 1t has also been introduced
on n rather extensive scale into the Catholic
schools of Georgia. This address on state
Schools and Parish Schools" provoked a good
deal of criticism on the part OF the adherents OF
both institutions. 1t seems to be evident that,
in most of the States, public opinion is not ready
for any form OF compromise, and that the day of
union between tho State school and the parish
school Is set distant.
Should modern science and modern philosophy
figure in the curriculum Of q Catholic university?
That Archbishop Ireland would answer the ques-
ton In the affirmative We infer from his lecture
on the relation OF tho Catholic Church to liberal
education. He insists that the intellectual train
ing given to the pupils OF the Catholic colleges
should be the best the country can afford. We
do them nm injustice. as we do country and
wv "h ihJuotitS, IL "o Gnu thell OuI lutO
the world a whit inferior In intellectual equip
ment to pupils from State or other nom Catholic
institutions. We have no right to stamp with
the seal of religion an inferior instruction and
expect 1t to pass current among Catholics"
Elsewhere In the same lecture we are told
that, In Catholic colleges, there must DO
such teaching "as not only enunciatos
principles. but sets forth all the objec-
tions raised against them, and furnishes
.u,.,-- - -
fierce attacks are to-day made upon the Chris.
tian faith. 1t Is not when our soldiers are al
ready In the field that they should become aware
of those attacks; 1t Is while they are arming for
the strife, 30 that, when the conflict does como,
they may BIO found prepared. Colleges that
contne their religious teaching to the catcchism,
occasional sermons. and the reading of pious
legends. are not preparing soldiers for the
Church's battles. 1t IL not sure that the pupils
of such colleges will even hold fast throughout
life to the faith of their holy baptism. In every
Catholic college there should DO u thorough
course of Christian apologetics." We reproduce
one moro pertinent passage from tho same lee
ture. Tho twentieth century, 1t will stand
out on history's pages unparalleled for its agi-
tation OF mighty Intellectual problems. Intellec-
tual life grows more intense; no limitations OF
knowledge arc recognized. The human mind from
the success OF Its Investigations into the mysteries
of nature becomes intoxicated with tho belief in
its absolute self-sufficiency. and bids reckless do
hance 10 all existing intellectual authority. even
TO Christ and to his Church. The defender OF
Christ is compelled to follow his adversary
through all the domains of natural knowledge
to show him that there Is no argument against
supernatural truth. He must follow his adver-
sary oven to the farthest frontiers OF nature to
provo that there is a beyond. of which revelation
brings to us fuller tidings. Humanity is In