The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-06-24
CARDINAL GIBBONS IN TOWN
PRESIDED LAST NIGHT AT THE
81. JOHNS COMMENCEMENT.
In nm Interview in the Afternoon He Gave
His solution Of the Public School
question in Relation to Denomina-
,lons-As 10 Bishop McEaul's stand.

Hons AS 10 nislOp NICE AUS Htono.
cardinal Gibbons arrived in New York
yesterday afternoon from Baltimore and
wen, directly to st. Johns College in
Willouehby avenue in Brooklyn. where
he is being entertained by the Brothers
of Lazarus, who conduct the college.
de presided last night at the thirty-ninth
annual commencement OF the college
and is TO return to Baltimore to-day.
The American Cardinal was trying to
snatch a little rest yesterday afternoon.
The heat made him look pretty tired and
worn. but at that he didn't seem to mind
il AZ much as the younger men about him.
Even the red hat OF a Cardinal, however.
Is warm on the head IN a day like yester-
day, and the prelate smiled a worn, tired.
but friendly smile as he asked what he
should talk about.
MY mind he said. lis in a state Of
ouiescence. You see | am an old man.
rs years old, and the heat and the fatigue
Of a journey affect mt more than they
once did" He spoke as a very gracious.
kindly, tired man Of ripe years. not as
the head Of the Roman Catholic Church
in America.
1T would be indelicate for me to speak
directly on the subject Of Bishop Nc
Faults attack on the great colleges he
went on when that topic was brought up.
.Of course l have my own opinions on
the subject. There is no doubt that
there is a growing tendency to omit
Christian training, both moral and theo-
logical, from American institutions Of
learning Of all grades. This. is to be de-
plorcd
we call ourselves a Oh ristian nation,
but how can we expect to be a Christian
nation unless we inculcate Christian prin-
ciples in our young men and young
women? A Christian nation must be
guided by Christian principles, and IL 1t
is to be so guided these principles must be
inculcated in its people. They may be
taught either in the home or in the school.
But in too many homes there is insufficient
knowledge to teach them. or indifference
to them, or supposed lack OF time. Tho
bone. then, leaves such training to the
school. and the school negleots it.
# believe that a religious training is
necessary to the proper development OF
the country's youth. A we'll rounded
SQuCatlOn 10 IuS KI0dtcbt hllDk ~ 10 bOuBht
afer, and an education which omits re-
iision and religious training is not well
rounded or complete. 1t is like a human
body without ar arm or without a leg. In
my mind the religious part OF a mans edu-
cation is the most important OF all. .
There is no clash between religion and
science. Revealed religion and science
both com from God-both are necessary
before a man can call himself truly edu-
Gated. And if religion is to be taught at
all it must be taught, with science. in the
schools
In reply to a question his Eminence
said that he believed that religion both
in the matter Of morals and OF theology
should be-made a part OF the regular
school ,~.currcula-a required subject,
not al elective.
Would it be possible, in your opinion,
70 to arrange such a course as would be
acceptable to the varied denominations
and religions of a cosmopolitan popula-
ZION such as that of New York; he was
asked. -.
Now you open up a subject which
can't be discussed or settled in q few
minutes the Cardinal said. AUndoubt-
edly it is a great problem how best to
arrange this, but ! believe it could be done:
My own plan would be for a system OF
depominational schools the super
vision Of the State Inc supported. as our
public schools are supported. by the
community. Each determination would
nave charge Of the religious training in
the schools Of that denomination. but
the State would have supervision over
all. This would obviate dispute among
the denominations as to the teaching Of
any particular tenet. each would teach
its young people according to its own
faith. But, best Of all, there would be
religious training for the country
youth-which is the point to be gained.
For a moment the Cardinal switched to
the matter of the tariff. Il hope it soor
will be settled he said. THE country ID
waiting for it. and to u degree business
interests are waiting for IT before going
forward. When the tariff bill Is complete
of business and a more general feeling