The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-10-02

be enlightened. BY secular educa
ton we improve the mind; by religious
training we direct the heart.
1T is not sufficient therefore, to
know how to read and write, to un-
derstand the rudiments of grammer
and arithmetic. 1t does not suffice to
know that two and two make four; we
must practically learn also the great
distance between time and eternity.
The knowledge Of book keeping Is not
sufficient, unless we are taught also
how to balance our accounts daily be-
tween our conscience and our God. 1t
will profit lis little to understand all
about the diurnal and annual motions
Of the earth, unless we add to this
science some heavenly astronomy. We
should know and feel that our Culture
home is to be beyond the stars in
heaven, and that. II we lead a vlrtuous
life here, we shall shine as stars for
ell eternity
I'VE want our children to receive an
education that will make them not
only learned, but pious men, We want
them to be not only polished members
of society, but also conscientious
Christians. We desire for them a train
ing that will form their heart as well
as expand their mind. We wish then
to be not only men of the world. but
above all. men Of God.
IA knowledge of history is most use
full and important for tho student. He
should be acquainted with the lives of
those illustrious heroes that founded
empires-of those men Of genius that
enlightened the world by their wisdom
and learning and embellished it by
their works Of art.
But is it not more important to
learn something of the King Of kings
who created all these Kingdoms, and
by whom kings reign? Is it not more
important to study Uncreated Wis
dom before whom oil earthly wis
dom is folly, and to admire the works
of the Divine Artist who paints the
lily and gilds the clouds?
IF, indeed, our souls were to die
with the body, II we had no existence
beyond the grave. IL VIC had no ac-
count to render to God for our actions
we might more easily dispense with
the catechism in our schools. Though
even then Christian morality would be
81 fruitful source Of temporal bless
ings; for as the Apostle teaches, 'Piety
is profitable to all things, having
promise of the life that now is, and
Of that which il to come
But our youth cherish the hope OF
becoming one day citizens Of heaven as
we'll as of this land. And as they can
not be good citizens Of this country
without studying and observing its
laws. neither can they become citizens
Of heaven unless they know and prac-
tice the laws Of God. Now, it is only
by good religious education that we
learn to know and to fulfill our duties
toward our Creator.
"The religious and secular education
of our children cannot be divorced from
each other without inflicting a sata
wound upon the soul. The usual con.
sequence of suoh separation is t.
paralyze the moral faculties and tc
ferment spirit Of Indifference in mat
ters of faith. Education is to the sou
what food is to the body. The milk
with which the infant is nourished al
it's mothers breast feeds not only It's
head, but permeates at the same time
its heart and the other organs Of the
body. In like manner, the intellectual
and moral growth of our children
should go hand in hand; otherwise
their education is shallow and frag.
mentary, and often proves curse in.
stead of blessing.
"Piety Ia not to be put on like s
holiday dress, to be worn on state oc
casions, but it is to be exhibited II
our conduct at all times. Our you'll
must put in practice every day tn
commandments Of God, as we'll as tn
rules of grammar and arithmetic. How
can they familiarize themselves witt
these sacred duties ii they are no