The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-10-02
HIS EN|NENCE CARDINAL GIBBONS
VIEWS ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Exclusion Of Religious instruction From the Schools an Evil
That Bodies Mischief the Country Children Who Study
the Cachis Taught be Concntious Quotes
French Protestant Historian

A timely and interesting article ON
the subject of education recently ap-
peared in the n. Y. Times from the
pen of Cardinal Gibbons, who says:
Education is so comprehensive
and complex IL subject that one
dares not pose as master in all its
branches. For just as nowadays STU
dents or professors in our divinity
schools are happy il they can master
any one of the many divisions of Bible
study, SO my aim and work, in regard
to education, have been directed chiefly
toward religious education. In that 1
have spent long, active service among
various classes in different sections of
this country, while, may add have
also at least observed the ways and
means for this in fields afar.
Most may imagine then my re-
sret and pain at tho trend Of education
today away from religion, as portrayed
not only by the effects as recorded in
the columns of our daily press, where
murders, thefts, divorces, lies. ETC.,
stick thickly as currants in our Christ
mas plum pudding, but also by Mr..
Bolce's articles, where one Of the i'm
mediate, causes seems to be unveiled, !.
.es irreligiohs, matsrialistic education tn
our higher schools. >.
"A year ago in the columns oc the
Times appeared my views on this
subject, and, If still there be hope Of
join in the fight for the introduction
OF religion into education.
THE exclusion of religious teaching
from our schools is indeed a. great evil
that BODIES mischief to our country and
endangers the stability Of our govern
ment, and arises from our mutilnted
and defective system of public school
education. I am persuaded that the
popular errors now existing in refer
cIlCc " cuuCALiOu SpllH6 LlOIl
correct notion Of thai term. TO edu-
cate means to bring out, to develop
the intellectual, moral and religious
faculties of the soul. An education,
therefore, that improves the mind and
the memory to the neglect Of moral
and religious training is at best but
an imperfect system. According to
Websters definition, to educate is to
instill into the mind principles Of art
science, morals, religion, and behavior,
10 educate,,' he says, lin the arts is
important; in religion. Indispensable
1T is, indeed, eminently useful that
the intellect of our youth should be de.
veloped and that they should be made
familiar with those branches Of know
ledge which they are afterWard likely
to pursue. They can go forth into the
world, gifted with g. well-furnished
mind and armed with lever by which
they may elevate themselves in the
social scale and become valuable men,
bers of society. 1t is also most de-
sirable that they should be made ac-
quainted in the course of their studies
with the history Of our country, with
the origin and principles Of it's govern
ment, and with the eminent men who
have served it by their craftsmanship
and defended it by their valor. This
knowledge will instruct them In their
civic rights and duties, and contribute
tc make them enlightened citizens and
devoted patriots.
I But it is not enough for children tc
have secular education; they must
receive also q religious training. In
deed, religious knowledge is as ia,
above human science as the SOIL is
above the body, as heaven is above
Garth, as eternity is. above time. The
little child that is familiar with the
Christian catechism Is really more en-.
lightened on truths that should come
home to every rational mind than the
most profound philosophers Of our oWr
times. He has mastered the great prob
lem Of life. He knows his origin. hi
sublime destiny, and the means of at.
tanning II, knowledge that no human
science can impart without the ligh
Of revelation.
! God has given us heart to b
formed to virtue, as well as head t