The Irish standard., 1906-03-24
LIVING EXAMPLE
That Refutes Absurd Theory
That the State
cannot Make Provision for
Teaching Religion. !

cannot 1ake Provision lor
Teaching Religion.
The present education crisis in Eng
land springs entirely from what Is
called the religious difficulty. 1t will
not be without interest to readers to
see how Germany has settled a precise
ly similar dimculty. We quote the fol-
lowing reference to the German solu-
ton from the admirable Lenten pas
toral Of Bishop o'Dwyer, of Limerick:
what country is in the van in edu-
cation and has set the standard for all
other countries? Is it not Germany,
where education has been the passion
of the people, the dream of her states-
men for generations? l dare, say no
one will gainsay me when I assert that
Germany is. at this moment, the hest
educated country in the world. and
might almost add so far beyond all
others that there isino second. But is
German education mixed? Is secular
ism its ideal? Has the State, in order
to produce the marvellous results which
are the wonder and admiration of the
world, been driven to Danish religion
from the schools in order to educate
the children of different religions?
Every one who has given any thought
to these questions knows the facts.
Education in the German schools Is
religious and UNCONVENTIONAL. The
Government recognises three religions
the Protestants, the Catholics and
the Jews. Wherever any of these
bodies is iii sufficient numbers to form
Il school of their own. they do SO, and
it is accepted as q State school, and
every pupil in it must be thoroughly
instructed in the faith Of its church,
according to IN elaborate syllabus
drawn up by the authorities of that
|,churcf." = +
| His Lordship quotes at some length
from Special Reports on Secondary
Education in Prussia" and goes on. to
say: "These regulations, it is true
refer to higher schools, but the spirit
Of them governs the Prussian Govern
ment's regulations for all schools. It's
principle is that every child within its
Jurisdiction should be taught the
religion OF its parents; and, as far as
that can DO done III school, taugh. 1t
thoroughly, not merely as Il piece OF
knowledge. but as a living influence
which goes to form the character and
to shape the future conviction OF the
child. But my special purpose in
dwelling on it at such length is to
refutc. by the greatest living example.
and absurd theory that the state can.
not make provision for teaching re-
ligion In schools without going out
side it's own province and lowering tho
standard of secular instruction.
ut is useful for us. however. to re-
member that this position which the
Catholic religion holds in the schools
Of Il Protestant country such as Prus-
sin was not altogether the spontaneous
gift Of the Government. 1t was won
by splendid fight. In 1873, when Bis
marck, at that time the most powerful
statesman In Europe picked a quarrel
with the Catholic Church, ono of his
first points OF attack was the schools.
But. powerful as he was, he reckoned
without his host. He met q force.
greater than tho armies Of France when
he attacked the Church. Archbishops
and Bishops were thrown into jail.
priests in hundreds we're imprisoned
and exiled, Catholic school teachers
were driven out. Yet 1t was all in vain.
Tho touch Of persecution stirred the
true chord in the hearts Of tho Catho-
lies. and made them vibrate with the
spirit Of martyrs. The whole Catholic
laity rallied to the cause, and, to their
eternal honor be 1t recorded, none more
staunchly than the working men. Then
tho German Catholic party was formed
in the German Parliament. A hun
dred good men and true, with ten mil
lions of Prussian Catholics at thefs
back, confronted the minister. Parlia-
rnent was dissolved, other parties lost,
but the Catholic party came back
stronger. Session after session they
fought the cause. until at length Bis
marck, as many man before him,
found that force cannot subdue us
Catholics. and that he was wrecking
himself on the solid rock Of our con-
victions. 1t was thus the Catholic
Church made herself felt and respected
in Germany. II to our own selves we
are true. our Irish party will achieve a
similar victory for the schools Of the
Irish in England and at home"
OVER THE NORTHWEST.
Helena. Mont.-Miss Sadie Mac
Carthy left recently for Rochestee,