Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-22
KEANE FEARS AGNOSTICISM.
Catholic Archbishop Says Christian.
ity's Struggle Will BE With 1t.

The New York Herald of today says:
Archbishop -Keane spoke yesterday in an
interview about the task he has in hand of
increasing the endowment of the Catholic
University at Washington by s1.00o.00o He
also expressed the opinion that the Chris
tan Brothers would get out of their pres
ent difficulties, even If the decision how
pending be against them. and declared the
great struggle of the future is to be be-
tween Christianity and agnosticism, not
over secta rianism, heretofore. He said
Pope Leo XIII appreciated especially the
Importance of the proposed university. for
he knew full well that the intellectual con-
test of the future is going to be- not as
hitherto. one of sectaran controversy but
a great struggle between Christianity and
agnosticiSm, for the control of the worlds
intellect. He knew that the struggle was
to be fought out especially in tila universe
ties of the world. Therefore he said he
wished a university of the highest order to
be established in America. and he wishes
that established in the capital of our re-
public. in order that it might not DE local
but national in its character and influence
For five years the university had only a
department of divinity. To this were sent
the picked young clereymen of the country
for undergraduate divinity studies. This
school of divinity aimed at further develop
ment: so as to make the Catholic clergy of
he future the most thoroughly cultivated
pcuS VI men III lIf.t lIbtu SldTeS.
-Four years ago departments for laity
were opened. They comprise schools of let
tiers. philosophy mathematics. physics
chemistry. &c In a word. the organization
OF the university now lacks only a school
OF medicine for its completion.
There are several professorships already
endowed. but there still remain fifteen more
-rot vet endowed. 1t is for The ACCOMPLISH
ment of this work that have been recalled
from Rome by the bishops of the United
States. The assurances already given me
make me feel confident that before the end
of the two years which | am consecrating
to this task nearly $l.O00oOO will have been
added to the endowment fund.
Nearly every one feels sorry that the
number Of our colleges runs some risk Of
being temporarily diminished by the de-
cision for the gradual elimination of cias-
sizes from the colleges hitherto conducted
by Christian Brothers. This occasions only
temporary difficulties The number of col
leges will be increased and their excellence
will not be impaired. but enhanced as time
goes on. Ways and means Will surely be
found.
The intellectual outlook for the next
century has its dark side, but the bright
ness in it predominates. The nineteenth
century opened under the influence of the
sneering. atheistic philosophy of EoItafre
1t closes with Voltaire buried in the con-
tempt which his superficial sneerng de-
served.
The twentieth century opens with ag-
Mysticism Ehe chief enemy of Christ ian
religion. Agnosticism does not now sheer
and 1t is far more respectable than Eoltaire
But it doubts. 1t says, L do not know 1t
Is philosophy of not knowing. 1t ac-
knowledges itself ignorant concerning all
those mighty problems which affect the
welfare of mankind
Ignorance can never be the guide for the
human race. The philosophy which says
] do not know can never r1eet the re1uire-
ments of humanity. 1t is folly to boast of
knowledge when one has no light but it is
worse than folloy to close ones eyes to the
h1 al iS nrl I'LL.
is abundant for all those who have eyes to
see