Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-19
PLEA FOR aGOOD TEACHERS
MGR. CONATY's ADDRESS AT CHI.
CAGO CONFERENCE.
He Points Out the Essential Elements
for a Successful In
structor. Ill [,

CHICAGO. April I9.-At today's session
of Catholic colleges of America and Canada
Very Rev. Patrick9S. McHaIe of the Nj
agara University opened the debate with a
paper on 'Religi4ls obstruction in College"
He was followed by the Rex. John P. Car
roll Of st. Josephs College. Dubuque, Iowa,
with a paper entitled 1.-The Teaching of
Modern Languages in College"
AT the afternoon session Rev. NJ. P. Dowl-
ing of Omaha read a paper on the DE
'elopment of Character in College Stu
dents.
This evening business meeting will be
held, when the officers will be elected. 1t is
proposed to effect a permanent organiza-
ton, to be known as THE Association of
catholic Colleges of the United States"
Plea for the College Teacher.
Following Is an abstract of an address
by Monsignor Conaty at Washington deiiv-
cred at last nights session of the confer
ence:
1.-The whole question: of collegiate success
would seem to hirge Upon the teacher; the
dry wood of form counts for little with one
VINO mas the teaching spirit and Is equipped
Tor MS work. Vocation, knowledge, ability
10 lmpart, devotedness to study, ambition
TO excel, power to excite interest, en-
thusiasm, personality, are elements that
make Tor success. A thorough and critical
knowledge of the subjects to be taught, an
intimate acquaintance with one science,
cans Tor the training which will fit man
TO be master. and make it possible for
MIN TO inspire confidence in himself and
love for scholarship in others. If there be
no interest, the seed falls on land through
"hicH no ploW has passed Hence the de-
Inand Tor the university-trained man, who
mas Deen made acquainted with knowledge
ana 1am1liartZed with scientific methods.
l ne teacher has always been a power and
II NOT
tunes, nave loved and respected him. What
chapter might be written on the teachers
VINO have influenced mankind! There stands
the great Teacher who by His word
changed the thought of mankind and led
humanity through redemption to God
christ is the model teacher among mere
men. What roll of honor in the names
from Athens to Rome from Sinai to Jer1I-
salem, from Iona to st. Gall. from PARIS
TO Ox1ord, from Leipsic to Louvain. They
are the 1mnortals belonging to no one race.
put kinsmen of all men in the republic of
intellect and truth. They still live and in
Huence human thought"
Monsignor Conaty discussed the qualities
necessary In our collegiate conditions and
INSISTED that mere knowledge and scientific
framing were not sufficient; that there
should be a passionate love for truth a
loyal devotion to Christian ideals, a deep
reverence for God, an accurate acuuaint-
ance with the traditions of the church in
me work or teaching. Christianity is essen
tialy teaching power, and it has ever
labored to give to the teacher the principles
that make for success.
Interest in Some Teachers.
me annals of her great teaching orders
Benedictines, Augustlnans Jesuits, Thea
tiles, Brothers of the Common Life and
scores of others-are full of interest to the
student of pedagogics. Mgr Conaty spoke
OF the difficulties under which our Catholic
teachers have labored, especially in nom
Catholic countries, and paid feeling trib-
Ute to the devotion and scholarship of the
men who have laid the foundation of our
splendid educational system. He had a
strong word TO say for the overburdened
e cor teacher, who in studies correlated
Ead more than could be done successfully
ehd VINO in studies widely divergent was
asked to do the almost impossible. Bad re-
suits must. follow. Give the teacher a
chance to study that he may perfect him
SELF. Place at his hand the literature of
his science, and give him time to read it,
Put him in contact from time to time with
men engaged In the same work that he may
nave an opportunity to broaden and de-
Eeiop. Let the man called to college teach
ing be sent TO the university where he may
nave the preparation which will equip him
for his noble mission.
Our system in America is now complete
ana our university, placed among us by our
illustrious pontif, stands ready to give our
colleges the best trained men. A common
1altn binds us, common purpose actuateS
us. The system Is one, and each part ex-
lists for the other. In this day of university
trained college teachers the Catholic Church
is prepared. as in the days of her great
universities. to send forth men, religious
and diocesan. priests and laymen to work
out the problems of education under the
systems which have educated the Christian
world.
Mgr. Conaty spoke of the work of the lay
man in the church. in the field of educatio
and made plea for the layman as a
teacher in the college He said that as a
leader of Catholic thought in all lands they
had merited the blessings of mother church.
The layman is a force to be utilized in
education. He concluded his paper by say
ing that in his plea for the Catholic college
teacher he aimed to show that the teacher
should have vocation for the work. knowl-
edge and ability to impart knowledge. sclen-
tific training in the science to be taught, a
love and reverence for truth. a Christ
like sense of responsibility, an enthusiasm
which made truth to be loved, and a char
acter which personitied the teachings of
religion.
Our Catholic teachers have Gods church
as guide and solace and our schools and
colleges should be the best in the land for
conservation to the best ideals must win
mind and heart
THECUBAN CENSUS RETURNS