The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-07-01
CHRISTIAN
 EDUCATION Its Scope and Advantages to the Church and to the.
 Commonwealth. (By Rev. Dr. R. F. Moore, Rec tor of the Church of the
 Sacred Heart-)

uvered by Rev. Dr. R. F. Moore, rec tor of the Church of the Sacred Heart, at the recent commencement exercises of the school of that par ish Dr. Moore is recognized throughout the diocese as a scholar and pulpit orator of exceptional standing. His theme was Christian Eduestion.'' The address follows:
 My Dear Friends
 The priests and people of this par- ish have goodly reasons to rejoice on this memorable occasion. Our paro- cFiaI school under the leadership of Father Mooney has completed anoth-4 CT year of successful work in the no bla cause of Christian education. Happily in this pre-eninent work of the church we are not alone; for in this diocese of Hartford, eighty-two parochiaI schools have given, this year. diplomas to eleven hundred ished with honor, their elementary course of studies. There is an addi- tiona1 cause of our Joy in the fact, that in the numerous parochial schools scattered through our beloved country-schools that have been pense to the state, over two million children are receiving an education that must include, for conscience sake, the principles of a true religion and a. true morality. There is still another reason why we rejoice to-day Two of our distinguished alumni sons have been elevated to the transcen- dent dignity of the priesthood. The Sacred Heart school, from which they graduated in the class of 1903. nur- tured in their young hearts the seed of a divine vocation of fostering the early practice of piety, prayers and purity and other virtues As a, con- sequence. she helped to develop in them a. character which in the end proclaimed them to be fitting recip- ties of the priesthood. As a token Of gratitude on their part, it is but natural for us to expect, that these young Ievites will prove themselves, in the future. the jealous promoters and defenders of the Catholic system of education, which means so much for the best interests both of the church and our country with their valuable institutions.
 Scope of the Work
 It has been well said by a leading educator of America: Our country is undertaking a dangerous experi- ment by attempting to educate it's edeg of God or without any positive belief in religion or an hereafter, Another deep thinker has well ob- served: That this country will have good reasons in the future to rise up in thanksgiving to the Catholic church for the/ saving influence of her Catholic schools Through them she will have saved her and her be- loved institutions from the ravages of Papanis1A which ultimately should prove her ruin and destruction-,' The supreme purpose of the Catholic school is to train her children to be good Christians and as consequence to be good citizens. She aims to in culcate, by precept and example, the fundara entals of a correct faith and correct conduct She teaches, in -ad- ditiOn to the secular studies, the du- ties which children owe to God, their fellow creatures and to their coun- try. She demands obedience to law. She commands respect for authority. She inspires reverence, that is a fast venerable age, and traditions and the sanctitfes of life. She incuIcates the practice of modesty, purity and hon 'esty in our fe1Iow-deaHngs Beyond all, she firmly insists, that God must have his due place in the affairs of this worId-through public prayer and worship as through the private observance of His divine command ments. The Catholic church admits, that knowledge indeed is power :'' but with the same breath she declares that Knowledge divorced from relig-' ion and morality can become a bower for much eviI-nay, in the hands of the iu-disposed and the criminal it has become an engine or destruction This basic principle has passed into the verdict of history. In the past, we have as sad examples, the decline of the Roman and Grecian emperors;
 while France and other more modern countries, with tzae decay of a relig- ious morality permeating their insti- tutions have been reaping' a harvest tf1f ofEr al
 Let knowledge grow from more to
 more
 But more of reverence in us dwell. That mind and heart according well
 May make sweet music as before.''
 Noble words these, of the poet Ten nyson.
 My dear graduates. you will soon l leave these halls and influences to enter upon a world of new ideals, new environments and new influences 1 You are not going out into this strange atmosphere unprepared or even unar1ned to meet your many re-
 igtous opponents fou have in your hearts the greatest treasures that will stand you in good stead They are not the mere knowledge gained from your textbooks; nor the friendship made during your happy schooI-days; | nor even the dipIomasg of certt gcates | of successful work done by you These indeed have their value Hap py are the children that have had these advantages They are valuable assets for success in life But, des- bite their necessity and importance 1 they pale into insignif1cance when they are measured with the noble ideals impressed upon you; with tho i principles that have been fnculcated by your Catholic teachers in a Catho- lie atmosphere. You have learned | <141 F- IL
 ciples that shall safely guide you along it's highways and bye-ways; the true motives that should inspire every enterprise
 | It is yours to be able to solve questions that were a riddle to the master minds of pagan days-What is 1 man and what is life.
 1 Yn11 have learned from vo11r little