The times., 1899-10-16
NoN-sEcTARIAN SCHOOLS.
Archbishop Corrigan Warns Catho-
lies Against Patronizing Them.

Archbishop Corrigan Warns Catho-
lies Against Patronizfng Them.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15.--Archbishop Cor
rigan has issued a circular letter to the
clergy of the archdiocese, directing that the
annual collection for the Holy Father be
taken up in all the churches on the last
Sunday of October In the letter he refers
to the letter on "Americanism" written by
the Pope to Cardinal Gibbons last January
He says:
Looking back through the year rapidly
drawing TO its close we find special mo-
tiyes for continued generosity, first OF all
because OF the solicitude shown by Leo
XIII for our spiritual welfare as evidenced
by his admirable letter of last January to
His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. Nothing
surely, can be more beautiful and touch
ing nothing gentler, wiser, or more per-
suasive than his paternal advice. Recalling
the immoyable foundations of our faith, the
sovereign pontiff most delicately and lurnl-
nously applies this truth 10 our case, and
TO the dangers that threaten US in the de-
sire TO adapt ourselves to our advanced civ
iliZation, and to pass over certain heads
of doctrine as Of lesser moment, thus
showing ourselves indulgent to modern
popular theories and methods
While recalling the letter of the Holy
Father on Americanism / avail myself of
the opportunity Of touching on a kindred
subject, which troubles my conscience as a
pastor of souls. / allude to the custom
noticeably growing among our people,
especially those more favored with this
worlds goods OF estranging their children
from Catholic education and thus, uncon-
sciously, preparing for themselves and
their descendants great spiritual dangers
and difficulties in the future.
Regarding the fact that our youth of
both sexes frequent, in ever increasing
numbers. educational institutions in which
they miss the speeiai aids that this critical
period OF their life requires. there can be
little doubt The fact is only too fully
demonstrated by daily experience. Most
commonly the reason is the desire TO as
cend in the social scale, to mingle in fash
ionable circles, to surround the children
with companions deemed desirable for
after life.
Admitting for moment that the Gus
| tom under consideration facilitates admis-
sion 10 fashionable society, is such socie-
| ty so immaculate. so far superior to ones
former surroundings as to counterbalance
| the precious advantage, guaranteed TO US
| by the knowledge and the practice of our
faith? A very high authority asks: What
doth 1t profit a man if he gain the whole
world and lose his own soul?' .
The Archbishop then goes on to say that,
| judging from results, Catholic pupils are
not led, by attending non -sectarian and
1 fashionable schools, TO have greater regard
for their parents, TO perseyere in time
honored devotions and pious customs, or to
form Catholic alliances in after life. De-
| plorabIe results, he says. sometimes fol-
low, and parents often have bitter cause to
regret their desire to ascend the social
scale or have the children mount the lad
| der OF fame. If these evils do not follow
In the first generation, he says, they al
ways do in the second, as hundreds OF ex-
amples attest.