The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-29

opening Session OF tho Chiid-stuay CosEress nj
Ce1unntus HAIL.

At the opening session of the Child-Study
Congress last night at Columbus Hall tho Rev.
Morgan nj. Sheedy of Altoona, Pa, spoke on
the subject OF Spiritual Development versus
Socialism" He declared that tho lack OF re-
llgious training In public schools was largely
responsible for tho criminal and socialistic
tendencies OF the present age. He said:
The appreciation of moral responsibility Of
the individual regulates tho we'll being Of So
ciety, and the sense OF moral obligation OF the
individual Is due to the character and extent
of his education. There are two distinct
theories OF cducation-one which declares that
the spiritual development is as essential as
the material development, and the other that
man is not immortal, and therefore his educn'
ton should be material 10 tho last degree. and
should not be hindered by religious interior
ence.
THE advocates of the second theory have
laborcd to expel Christianity from education.
Hence they have claimed for education that 1t
must DC universal, secular, and compulsory.
Men of progress In all countries declare that
rated from politics, from philosophy, and, from
Public opinion has beon poisoned into this
falsehood. The youth OF these days lie being
reared upon a teaching and a litsratnre which
then, that the Christianity Of many 10 shallow,
that materialism largely controls the actions
of men and that the spectre OF socialism Is
manifestinR itsolf In It's most dreaded form
more and more every dayf'
Father Sheedy referred to the last Presiden-
tial campaign as an instance where material
ism and socialism had gained a hold upon the
people and had noarly conquered in Its fight.
He citod the labor unions as a creation OF the
materlalistic idea and the constant warfare 1t
1T Is a significant fact" he added, that not
a single Socialist of note can be named who
came out Of a Christian school or a Catholic ed
vocational institution
Tathcr Shecdy referred to the training re.
ccived by pupils and students of CATHOLIC
schools as perfect and attributed the failure of
many Catholics to uphold the ideals OF the
Church after leaving school to the c%ontamina-
ton Of environment OF the outside world. In
conclusion he said:
There is much good in the idea of free and
universal education. but the radical defect OF
laying no stress on moral development moro
thanEoffsetg the good and makes the System
pernicious. The child Is not taught to be a
man or be O. woman In the nobler sense. but Is
told to be shrewd, clever, and to make money.
II the Protestant Sunday schools, the. Univor-
sociations, the Salvation Army, the ,Epworth
League. the Christian Endeavor Society, and
like organizations were at all consistent they
would DO on the side OF the Catholics in de-
claring that the religious and spiritual trainiu &
go hand in hand with a secular educational sys-
tenn
The Rev. Daniel J. O'Sullivan Of ST. Albans,
VT, followed the same ideas in discussing the
subject of incentives to Patriotism"
The Rev. Thomas Mcmillan. {. s. p, pre-.
sided Mt the meeting and told many amusing
Incidents of his experience in training newsboys.
Catholic educators Of tho country, will remain
In session to-day and tomorrow.