The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-10

honor and distinction in their chosen
sphere of activity, and are sought
after by business men precisely be-
cause of their training. The time is
gone when calumny could be hurled at
Catholic schools with effect. BY their
fruits are they known. This is just
as true in the commercial world as in
any walk of life.
The Duty of Catholic Parents.
There is one phase of this training
that should appeal to Catholic parents.
The youth is made to understand
clearly the foundations upon which his
belief is built In this age the
spread of cheap literature, the al
lurements of the world, the love of
pleasure and the Injuries afforded by
wealth-all tend to give young men
false notions of life. Catholic beliefs
and Catholic practices are held up to
scorn by the irreligious. The young
man who is not well grounded in his
religion will often find himself the
object of sneering rebukes 1t is then
that faith weakens when knowledge is
wanting to give courage to- his con-
victions. Is it any wonder that he
falls by the wayside? His early train
ing was neglected. Are the parents
to blame? 1t sometimes happens that
Catholic boys and girls, too, refuse to
go to a Catholic school or college, be-
cause the discipline in these institu-
tions is, in their opinion, too severe.
They would rather go to business
school or college where they are free
to entertain their friends in the even
ing. Do such children rule their
parents? 1t is hard to conceive how
any Catholic parent who values at all
the future welfare of his son or daugh-
ter can sanction such proceeding.
Unfortunately, facts speak otherwise.
Perhaps, after all, it is excusable In
youth to wish to be free from strict
discipline. The vigor and exuberance
of youth naturally rebel against the
idea of discipline. 1t is only when
the school days are over, and the
young man or woman is face to face
with the responsibility of earning a
living, that they begin to realize the
benefits of a moral and religious train
ing. Experience, then, is the most
convincing argument. But this ex-
perience is not wanting in parents.
Hence, the stand taken by Catholic
parents in regard to business educa.
ton should be: Catholic business
training or none at all. When this is
not done, Catholic parents are dere
lict in their duty and cannot escape
the consequences of their action.
Business Success and Practical
CathoIicity.
There is a foolish impression in
the minds of some Catholics that q
truly successful business man cannot
be practical Catholic. This is cast
ing a sad reflection upon the men en-
gagged in industry. Happily, it is the
impression of those only who lack one
of the essential qualities of success
full business man, namely, tact. Tact
certainly does not mean dishonesty
but, nevertheless, it's absence is otter
the cause of failure, not only in the
commercial world, but in other walks
of life. Tact in dealing with employer
and employees, tact in conducting
business activities along proper lines
and above all, the tact of Christian
gentleman is an essential of business
success. This trait is not found il
every man. 1t is acquired from {
study of men and conditions. Where
this necessary qualification is want
ing, to attribute the cause of failure OF
ill success to the practice of the
Catholic religion, is, to say the least
unreasonable. Many of the foremost
business men in this, as in other coun
tries, are staunch practical Catholics
having no fear that their Oatholicity
will ever injure in any way the sue
cess of their enterprises. Since true
business principles have their founda
ton in moral and religious training
it is not surprising that prosperity re
wards the efforts and energy of those
who have been blessed with it's be
nign influence.