The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-21


 great order of St. Benedict who did so much for the civilization of Europe when 1t was a camp of rowing barbarians, real ized that the superstructure of Christian character must be looked after as well as the foundation. If ever a work were necessary 1t is the work which the Cath olic college is called to do in our time. Every age has no doubt had it's own peculiar difficulties. but l have no hesita- ton in saying that the difficulties of our own age are more trying than those of any preceding one. The contest be- tween the natural and the supernatural was never sharper than it is at present.
 Faith Is Dying Out.
 Faith is dying out amongst a great many people: supernatura aims and as- pirations are either set aside or regarded as an episode of disease and delirium. Multiplying human enjoyments and miti- gating human sufferings is the only phil osophy of life that is worthy of pursuit. If you have any doubt on this point that material interests are absorbing the best talents of the people, if you do not fully realize the ierceness of the con- test which the supernatural has to wage read the works of well known writer. N. H. Mollock, who has written much against modern materialistic tendencies. In one of his books he has splendid passage in which he contrasts the early days of Christianity. when mans faith and all his loftier feelings had their way. made plain before them, and the days when a horde of intellectual barbarans burst in upon the empire of thought and with the same disastrous results that marked the invasion of the real barba- rians in ancient Rome. and when he con- cludes. that the results have been toundng' I do not think he uses too strong a word! Every voice no matter how humble ought to be raised to check the inroads of the modern barbarans. who are so much in evidence everywhere, especially in the cheap literature which Is read in so great an abundance in our day and in our land There was time when Catholics were not affected by the mild form of agnostieism and unbelef of the day; but fifteen years of varied experience in the ministry have convinced me that this Is no longer so. Environ- ments, association. frivolous and irrever- ent reading is telling on them. l trust l am no pessimist. but l have no hes- taton in saving that much of the read ing of modern times Is fatal to the supernatural. We are daily being fur nished with new evidence of the truth of the old saving: A little learning is q dangerous thing. The world is full of magazine philosophers and for this req son l know of no theme on which you young men, who are now finishing your college career, and about to take your place in the serious work of life, could be more profitably addressed than the dangers of much of the reading matter of our time which Is conspicuous of flip pancy as well as shallowness. You young men are singularly favored; you have enjoyed the advantages of sound Chris tan education; you have had teachers who. not content with ordinary virtue, have pledged themselves by vow to con trol their passions: and in this way they give you an example at q time when the most unholy emotions are beginning to assert themselves in your breasts and you have had a course of studies which includes the study of God in it's branches. Those who arranged this course realized in the happy phrase of Cardinal New man that to omit that study. would be to take spring out of the year Must Assist Others.
 Therefore, if you would prove true to your opportunities. you must be of some assistance to those in the world who have not enjoyed your advantages. You must be able to put your fingers on the weak ness of spacious argument, you must be able to lay bare sophistries; you must be able to remove the veneer Ender which the sheer against religion Is concealed: you must not forget the principle on which you have been educated. you must not forget the supernatural. you must be ready to live up to the words of the apostle and count all things to loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you were content with mere worldly knowledge such as bookkeeping classics and mathematic. you need not to have hut .fatr 1aci aAfl, ,ff,tr more. Go hence today. showing that you possess the real advantages which this in- stitution affords and without which 1t would have no reason for it's existence. Go away with sound philosophical req son for the faith: bring your intelligence to bear on the subject and be not con tent until you have satisfied yourselves that a system of education which turns out heathens and pagans is calamity 10 the individual and danger to the state, it is therefore self-condemned.
 Bishop Allen Makes Short Address.
 The Rt Rev. Bishop Allen was among the visitors and at the conclusion deliy- cred short but scholarly address to the student body.
 At 1l:3O an elaborate dinner was served to the visitors and students in the college refectory, which brought the exercises to a close.
 Throughout the scholastic year just ter minated the enrolment of students was such as to tax the capacity of the college to it's utmost, which fact evidently mani fests the popular favor towards the edu- cational system of the monks of the order of St. Benedict system which has been approved and encouraged by every prom- rent man in Alabama who has visited the college.
 The following were graduated: Albert Rheinschmidt Qutman. Ga; Edward Blanchard. Birmingham; Joseph Dicker- son, Montgomery; Thomas cooney. Mo bile; Roger Odoardo. Havana. Thomas Bergn. Paulding. Miss; Charles Bauf. Nashvile: Edward Vance. Birmingham; Joseph Baldwin. Mobile: Henry Heppeler. Cullman.
 The gold medal lists were a S follows:
 Graduating class medal. Albert Rhein- schmidt, Quitman. Ga.; classical medal. Francis Wieland. Baltimore history medal. Joseph Dickerson. Montgomery; Christian doctrine. Regina Gonzalez. Ha- vana: second commercial class George Baldwin. Mobile: third commercial "A Oscar J. Neundorfer. Albany. Ga. third commercial 'B," Allan Murat Appalach- ieola. Fla; conduct. senior department Patrick Duffy. Appalachicola. Fla: junior department George Graef Habersham Tenn; minim department. Michael Graef Habersham. Tenn
 
 News of Union Springs.
 Union Springs. June 20-(Special)-M J. w. Lawson. a prominent citizen of Josie Beat. died yesterday afternoon at o'cIock very slidden1v He was l,,,i ed