The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-08-18

bishop took as his subject, Thorough
ness and his sound and earnest views
and advice, he himself having been a
teacher for many years in the United
States, produced profound impression.
AS the San Juan papers said, The bish-
op was thunderously applauded.' Dr.
Pratt, the Episcopal minister, gave a
most interesting and instructive talk
without the least reference to religious
bitterness, and, like the bishop, was
greeted with great applause. Other
educators spoke on the subjects as
signed them, and the morning session
passed off with nothing to mar its in
terest or harmony.
"The evening program announced
that DR.. Saldana, most distinguished
scientist and educator, would speak on
the subject OF Religion in the Schools
and that Rev. Mr.. j. Vallmer would
discuss Education in Brazil
CDR Saldana has great reputation
in Porto Rico, and the same large and
cultured audience assembled to hear
him and the evening speakers He had,
he said, been requested to give his
views on the subject OF Religion in the
Schools, subject which he was in
formed would also engage the attention
OF the national convention OF the union
in Charleston. DR.. Saldana said the
subject was a vast one, so vast and SO
closely connected with the individual
'ife Of every child who asked for educa-
ion that he felt his theme should rather
be the necessity of religion in the
schools The obligation giving the
child 4 thorough, all-round education
rested upon the educator 1t was sa-
cred duty. This thorough all-round
education must be rec-fold-the edu-
cation OF the body, the mind and the
heart or soul
CDR. Saldana then referred to the re-
suits of education without religious
training. Communists, anarchists,
thieves i'll high places, absconding bank
clerks and government officials, dishon-
est bookkeepers, robbers, iomcntcrs OF
discord and sedition, public assassins
immortality, disrespect for the most sa-
cred duties to God, to Our neighbor and
to ourselves, all these were the results
that could be directly traced to banisll-
ing religion from the public schools,
for the public schools were the schools
OF the masses. The enlightened coun-
tries OF the world and the highest cdu-
cational thought was now being brought
to bear on this subject, and was seek
ing the remedy for anarchsm, for COM
munism, etc. They do not hesitate to
say that it lies in the restoration of the
thought Of God in the schools.
az would not be true to my con-
science said DR.. Saldana, nor TO the
trust that has been rcposed in me, be-
ing requested to speak on such theme,
nor to the best interests OF my country,
if | would say on this platform that VIC
should Danish the thought OF God from
the hearts OF our children. *
:" I propose to this august assembly
OF teachers and educators that after
school hours the public schoolrooms be
used by the ministers OF the various
denominations for the instruction Of all
children who are willing to attend the
instructions and learn something of
their respective religions. My PROPOSE
ton is very broad and democratic one
and in perfect harmony with the consti-
tuition OF the United States, OF which
Porto Rico forms a part through its
ccssion by Spain in the treaty of Paris.
The necessity Of developing religious
sentiments in the child under the drcc-
ton OF wise and important ministers Of
the gospel or those whom these latter
should appoint is the necessity and
crown OF all education. In my opinion
this could be easily done without caus,
ing trouble OF any kind. I suggest that
after the regular school hours the
school building be put at the disposal
of ministers Q! every creed and OF the
children who are willing to receive in
struction in their religion, or that this
instruction be given by the teachers or
by persons authorized by ministers of
the gospel as competent to do So
CDR Saldana was applaudcd to the
echo. There was nothing in his dis
course to call forth any discussion; he
had submitted broad, plain PROPOSE
ton, and it was received in the same
broad spirit i'll which it was offered.
His speech in no wise provoked the at
tack as. cablcd to the United States
from Santiago. 1t had nothing what
ever to do with it,
DIR. Croft then introduced Rev. Juan
Nallmcr, a native OF Brazil, a Portu-
guesc Protestant minister, who would
speak on education in his own country.
1t was evident from the embarrassing
manner in which he began his discourse
that Mr.. Vallmer had come to the con-
vention primcd for the purpose OF at
lacking the Catholic church. He
seemed very disconnected at the pres
encc of Bishop Blcnk, having without
doubt not calculated on the bishop at
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