The Irish standard., 1914-11-14
SEES No REASON
FOR Disagreement
Mayor of Baltimore Can Find No
Reason for Disagreement
Among Religious De-
nominations.
Moral Training in Connection with
Educational Work Necessary,
School Children of All Denom-
nations Should Be In
structed in Religion.


ochial School. Should Unite
OH Common Ground for
Teaching Morality.
In an address delivered at the dedi.
cation of the new parochial school of
st. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic
church, Mayor Preston expressed the
hope that the day is coming when the
adherents of all classes of religious
belief will unite upon some common
method of teaching morality in the
public schools.
The mayor declared that this sub
ject was one which he had consid-
cred we'll for many years, even prior
to his entering politics, and he felt
that there must be some avenue open
for the reaching of such an agreement.
"An agreement along these lines, It
seems to me-" said the mayor, can
not do any harm, but rather can &C.
complish a great amount of good. BY
the inauguration of such system in
our public schools we will help to
mold the hearts of the young; we
will help to make them better citizens
by showing them that religious prin-
ciples constitute the chief asset of
mans success in life; that without
these principles there is something
lacking; that without these principles
we cannot attain the highest form of
education which will make the pupil
receive full value for his or her time
spent in study"
These remarks were roundly ap-
plauded by the thousand or more per-
sons present in the hall, among whom
were the heads of prominent Catho-
lie institutions in this vicinity, other
Catholic educators, many of the
priests of Baltimore and Washington
and large number of prominent Cath
olic laymen, including several who are
we'll known in the political and public
life of Baltimore.
On account of the character of the
audience the remarks of the mayor
made deep impression. So far as
known, 1t Is the first time the head
Of any city has suggested a means
whereby the members of various
creeds could come together for the
purpose of agreeing on some definite
plan Of religious education in the pub
lie schools. There were some in the
audience who believe that the words
Of the mayor may bear a good fruit
and that his speech may result in the
calling together of such congress.
Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop.elect Sha-
han, Of the Catholic University; Judge
Charles w. Heuisler and former Po-
lice Commissioner John B. A. Wheltle
were present on the platform. The
mayors remarks were made following
speeches delivered by Mgr. shahan
and Judge Heuisler, in which they en-
phasized the importance of religious
education.
"The subject of religious education"
said the mayor, reminds me of pas
sage-I think it was in the preface
Of Our Christian Heritage written
by His Eminence, and which I read
many years ago. That passage made
plea for the union In common
brotherhood of the followers of all
creeds. In that brotherhood charity
was to prevail and bigotry to be for
gotten. Every one was to worship
according to the dictates of his con-
science. but was to respect the rights
Of others. That passage has fingered
in my memory, and it has often caused
me to hope that the day is coming
when we all can unite on some com.
mon method of teaching morality IN
the public schools, when we can Ill
agree on some common prayer to be
said or upon some common method of
reading the Bible.
II believe that the Catholic church
has set us good example In pointing
out the necessity Of such teaching.
The results of such an education can.
not be rightly denied to any one, and
all broad.minded citizens viii give
that church here mede Of praise. That
is why believe that system can be
adopted In our public schools Of In.
culcating the highest principles Of
morality without hurting the religious
sensibilittes Of the members Of my,
creed. This would seem to me j goodsi
way to start that unity of which j;
have spoken" .sSsI3,s