Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-08
RELIGIOUS FRAMING.
a. Ia.
An Essential, Pointed Out to
tSSs ffss5s~ 49,
Class of Graduates.
sve
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
COMMENCEMENT :. EXERCISES
HELD THIS MORNING.
List of Degree Winners Includes a
Japanese and Spaniard-
Annual Address.


the Catholic University of America were
held this morning IN MeMahon Hall, one of
the university buildings before a large as
semblage. including almost every member
of the Catholic clergy in the District of
Columbia. Twenty-eight young men, in
Guiding one japanese and one Spaniard,
were given degrees, either In philosophy,
theology or law, and address was de-
Hvered to the graduates by Rev. Alexander
p. Doyle. The speaker urged the graduates
to found their hfe's work on faith alone.
to go out into their several paths with the
determination that in the end the world
shall hear from each and every one of
them. He pointed out to them the great
need of religious training and education,
and characterized the secular universities
Of this country as an impending evil, turn
Ing out race of infidels, to whose lives
the knowledge of God Is not essential.
the degrees were conferred by Mgr.
OConnel, rector of the university. The
candidates came to the platform one at a
time as their names were called, knelt be-
fore the rector, and received their diplomas.
AS each student arose, he was greeted with
word OF advice and commentator from
the rector, and deafening applause by his
fellow students and the guests, but no
single ovation equaled that given to Mr..
Kiyomichi Seshima, Japanese, who re-
ceived the degree Of doctor of civil law.
Mr.. kiyomichi is a graduate of the Uni
versity of Tokyo, in Japan, where he won
the degree of bachelor of law.
The exercises were simple and brief, but
impressive. The decorations were few,
consisting only of cut flowers and the var
ious class colors. At the conclusion of the
moments to the graduates, giving them
word of advice at parting, and caut1onlng
them to do their full duty both to them
selves and to the church.
Address to Students.
The address to the students was made by
Rev. Alexander P. Doyle, c. S. p, who
called attention to the Importance of link
ing the study of Christ with the modern
secular education. Let the church hear
from you,'' was the burden of his remarks
&c the young men going out from the uni
versity to teach the. Catholic religion to the
world. ~
THE Importance Of this commencement"
said Father Doyle, "over the others that
have preceded it arises from the fact that
during the past year, on account or the
countrywide collections for its mainte-
nance the Catholic University of America
has become more suralys than ever before
the possession of the Catholic people of this
land. Heretofore many have looked upon
this institution a thing apart, in which
they had no special interest, for which, in
no sense were they responsible and which
might thrive decay and * would not
cause !, ripple in their lives. They looked
upon t a rich man 5 luxury, TO be SuS-
tanned by the money of the wealthy and
for the training of the few who aspired to
be leaders 1t in no wise came into their
lives. and at best there was but a platonic
interest in its welfare. But now all this
is changed and the university has fallen
back On the people for its support, and
while by this arrangement 1t gains new
masters, it multiplies its friends and ac-
oures n Judgment in the great heart of the
Catholic people that will insure Its per-
retuity ard its efficiency. For this reason
this commencement yea- acquires new i'm
portance for the rector, the faculties and
the students.
II have said that by placing the main
terance of this institution with the plain
people of the land you have acquired new
me- sters, and eXacting masters they Will
be, and If the results do not come up to
their expectations they will be grievously
disappointed.
What Has Been Accomplished.
Heretofore the university has had a
brilliant career. Though only in it's In
fancy. as universities go, still 1t has made
all enviable reputation for itself. 1t has
attracted into its home the best that the
NEST prominent religious orders in the
country can furnish, to say nothing of its
latest and youngest child of adoption, the
Apostolic Mission House. 1t has gathered
a brilliant galaxy of professors, men who
are facile principles In their chosen lines
of studies and who constitute the imperial
intellect of the institution. 1t has a long
list of alumni who have achieved distinc
ton in their various avocations, and who
owe to a very large degree their success in
life to the superb training they received
within these classic walls. In fifteen years
this institution has leaped from it's cradle
of infancy into the most remarkable clus-
ter of institutions Of learning that is known
in this country. 1t is the first-born child
of the young giant church Of the western
world and little wonder IN
something of the vitality and strength of
it's youthful mother. 1t has had its times
of struggle to be sure, and may be as yet
1t has not outgrown all these weaknesses
that are Incidental to the formative periods
of childhood. but these are to be ex-
pected 1t does not serve any very great
purpose to dwell on them or to make so
Eiuch of them as to imagine that they are
signs of inherent weakness. AS the years
go by the lusty vitality and robust strength
OF the first-born of the American church
maturer years comes, there will come COM
pactness, solidity and perfection of organi-
cation
Molding Of the University.
I'm the meantime wise hands have had
the molding of the career Of the university
From the beginning it has been dominantly
a religious Institution. 1t could not have
been anything else 1t was Graded in Di-
vipity Hail. Its theological department has
been It's nrSt ana most anxious concern. 1t
might have been formed on the model of
the hundred other universities that flourish
in this country in which the method of
agnostic science is the be all and the end
all of the training. where the religious
iceals find no place at all. and where au-
thcrity as a source of truth is not recog-
nized either in the studies or in the teach
ing. but, then, it would be only one more
added to the long list 1t would simply be
one Of a crowd. It would have possessed
no character individuality of its own
do not mean in any sense to depreciate the
value OF the scientific method as such, but
II the natural order and observation alone
are made the sole sources of knowledge, as
is done in the secular universities, we are
OF a necessity Obliged to throw out Of court
large percentage Of religious truth that
molds our lives far more Intimately and eff
fectually than do the ordinary facts, whose
existence we may asmopstrate by unaided
natural reason. What would become of
such great truths as the Immortality of
mans soul, of the incarnation of the Christ
man, of the existence of original sin, of
the virgin birth of Christ, the existence of
miracles. and a thousand and one great re-
ligious truths that in no wise can be
brought under the scrutiny of the micro