The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29
BY HIS EMINENcE CARDINAL o'coNNELL.

life. what correct ideals can the imma-
ture student form for himself?
Side by side ' It'll this necessary liter
airy training the young mind must be
brought to "A l.. owledge n love OF the
great achievements of the heroes and
heroines OF God. In following the history
of Christianity he Is led to the foot OF
Calvary, where the Son of God offered
Himself to torment and suffering that
tht souls Of men may be brought to their
eternal destiny. The world has known
but one perfect a the Christ, who
lived and taught and suffered for the
souls made to His own image and like
ness. His life IL the true ideal-the
ideal of personal excellence rather than
OF worldly sue ss-the ideal OF service.
OF devotion II loyalty to the t'uths
which God has mad known.
Religious training in college and uni
versity is the only means Of offsetting
the influence of pagan ideals and i'm
pressions and OF developing a strong
overmastering ambition to live according
to the standards OF Christ. These are
the standards which give life its true
value and hold out hope and consolation
In the unending struggle for their attain
ment.
From the days OF the Redeemer of
mankind to our own the story OF the
~ ~ ~ "a IL VIZ
ness that the civilization OF this gem
Grafton Is her civilization, that the So
cial order we now enjoy is "A social order
introduced into the world and perfected
by Christian influence. Despite this
striking truth the student in a non-
sectarian school is forced to listen to n
positive denial of many Of those tradi-
tons which his early training made most
dear to him.
The finln worn mNtho 80 thA na.t.
Ages, describing the church as a guar
dian and promoter of illiteracy and ig-
norance, offer even in our day material
for the enemies of Christianity. When
not illuminated her magnificent innu-
ence and attachments are silently ig-
nored. The glory OF her position as
patroness of the arts and science and
source OF inspiration TO countless saints
and scholars is denied her. So with the
teaching Of the history OF nations. A
philosophy OF life which admits nothing
supernatural knows no higher motives
than selfish ambition and love of power.
Nature without God, false philosophy.
unchrlstian literature. the mlsconceptlon
OF history mean the destruction OF re-
ilg!ous ideals. In this environment the
religious enthusiasm Of childhood quickly
disappears. The logical result OF irrelig-
ious framing in college and university
- llltl OF llitlltttlt Ca
paclty, indifferent TO religious influenza.
whose code of justice and morality ia
fundamentally matcrial.stic and utili-
tartan.
In striking contrast to non~-s,c'arIan
framing is the system of Catholic SEQ
ondlry education in academies and coli
leges, whose numbers are Increasing SO
rapidly IN our city. In these schools th,re
is no narrowing of the field of learning
and culture blf Nh, atfri, 4, a.. ss.
tue CHRISTIAN hon.. The sense OF re-
SpohsIoil!ty for regulations and laws
safeguards the pupil in his natural ten
ueh'y 10 a complete disregard of self
restraint. These schools, provide n
'horousA supervision. intelligent. kindly
adapted to the age of the pupil.
lh.y oiter courses in science, literature,
philosophy and history wherein All
study Is perm,ated and vitaliZed with
the true religious spirit. Their glory is
the religious teac. er whose life IS mod
ellcd on the evangelical counp Is and
Is the practical application of Christian
principles.
Under these conditions the influence
or the religious personality Is seen at
It's best, Religion - no longer a set
OF dry abstract truths in the mind OF
the pupil. 1t Is life embodied in the
noble example Of the living teacher.
HcrrIn lies the strength OF the religious,
colleges and academies. whose one aim
Is to send forth graduates Of deep
learning and culture ready and willing
to spread the blessed influence of true
Christian principles in society.
The training that develops G. aracter
Is soc.ctys greatest asset. Character
Is not wealth, nor beauty, nor intel
lcctual genius, 1t Is moral strength 4;
the life dominated by principles which
rest securely in the truths which God
has revealed. These sustaining truths
give light and power to the Performance
Of every duty. They qualify tine man
of higher education to be the leader OF
his people, for they assert themselves
In the mn, nee he is bound to exert.
Wat then is this iulu nee to be- It
is to be the influence of a mind and
heart cngraven with that sense of re-
sponsibility to n%eighhor which springs
from a clear understanding of rcspou-
sibility to God. This training alone
assures to the community thar adhcr-
ence to religious principles by which
the permanence ard stability of national
governments can be secured, II alone
can inspire man with a knowledge Of
Mic tr,,n mill a,l ..,.. liz r.. -