The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-08-24
CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

VI ltUIIU IUUUN lUWnI WIIUU
Protestant Universities Wealthy-En
dowment Needed for Catholic Uni
versities-Rich Catholics Could
Make No Better Disposition of Their
Wealth than by Assisting Catholic
Schools.
A writer in the New York Globe
estimates that the aggregate endow-
ments of the higher institutions of
education in the United States are in
excess of three hundred million dol
lars. In addition to this these 1nsti-
tutions own property valued at four
hundred million dollars. Columbia
University, of New York, in the mat
ter of endowment, takes rank of all
other American educational institu-
tions. 1t has at it's disposal $27,O00,-
600 with which to carry on it's work.
Next comes Harvard. It's productive
endowment funds amount to almost
$25,000,00O. Then follows the Leland
Stanford Junior University, Ca1ifor-
mia, with it's $25,O0O,OOO endowment
and it's $7,O00,O0O plant. The Chicago
University, of which Mr.. John D.
Rockefeller is the founder, can draw
upon a permanent fund of $15,OOO,O0O.
1t is estimated that when the gifts
planned by the head of the Standard
Oil Company are all in, the Chicago
University will have $25,000,000 at it's
disposal.
We have mentioned only four of the
richest educational institutions in the
country. There are others that are the
benefciaries of the generosity of
wealthy patrons who appreciate the
important part higher education plays
in the life of nation. 1t is regret
table to have to state, says the Irish
World, that this appreciation is not
more in evidence among wealthy Cath
olics. Our universities and colleges
have but very slender financial re-
sources to carry on the vital work in
which they are engaged. In their
poverty they are doing their best to
continue the services the Church rem
dered the cause of education in the
Old World-services that stretch back
into the remotest past.
Catholic Church Founded Great Uni
versities.
The great European universities,
which for centuries have been the
centers of learning, were the Church's
creations. What she accomplished in
the Old World she can repeat in the
New, if she receives from her own
children the aid on which she has so
righteous claim. Wealthy Catholics
should feel it to be their special duty
to help her. They would be making
a noble use of their money in so
doing. Some of them are in a position
to initiate the example of generosity
that richly endows Protestant educa-
tional institutions This they could
do without subjecting themselves to
any very great financial strain. An
endowment of the character we have
in mind would be the most enduring
monument to the memory of any Cath
olic who has the financial ability and
the willingness to enter the lists of the
generous benefactors of American edu-
cational institutions. He would rem
der a splendid service both to re-
ligion and to his country.
Need of Catholic Education.
ANY one who has read the series of
magazine articles published a few
years ago dealing with the character
of the religious and social teachings
in some American universities and
colleges, will appreciate the need of
enabling Catholic educational instltu-
tions to combat these teachings. At
this moment Socialism, with its cog
nate irreligious principles, is permeat-
ing our richest endowed universities
and colleges. 1t is easy to surmise
what will be the character of the in
fiuence collegiate Socialists will exert
in after life. They may be counted
upon to champion doctrines antagon-
istic to the existing social order.
Every Catholic institution of higher
education is a veritable bulwark
against the spread of these doctrines.
Every such institution imbues the
minds of its students with a pro-
found reverence for Gods laws. That
means laying the surest foundations
on which the citizenship of any coun-
try can rest.
1t will be seen, then, that a COM
bination of religious and patriotic
motives appeals strongly to wealthy
Catholics to become coadjutors of the
Church i'm her glorious work in behalf
of higher education. Let us hope that
some of them will avail themselves
of this opportunity to serve God and
country.
ENGLISH BISHOP coNsEcRATED.