The sun., 1916-08-27

Shahan.
the weapons and all the skill that
Christian principles furnish.
Sound moral Instruction. a y the
catholic Encyclopedia, "is impossible
apart from religious education. Tho
child may be drilled in certain desira-
Die habits. such as n~eatness, courtesy
and punctuality; he may be imbued
Viii a spirit of honor, industry and
Iuthfulness-and none of these should
ne neglected.: but IL these duties to-
ward self and neighbor are sacred.
the duty toward God Is immeasurably
more sacred. When II Is faithfully
performed 1t includes and raises to a
higher plane the discharge Of every
other obligation. Training In religion,
moreover, furnishes the best motives
Tor conduct and noblest ideals for imi-
tation. while II sets before the mind an
adequate sanction in the holiness and
Justice Of God. Religious education,
Il should be noted. IL more than in
struction In the dogmas Of faith or
tho precepts Of the divine law; Il
V essentially q practical training in
the exercises Of religion. such as
prayer. attendance at divine worship
and reception Of the sacraments. BY
these conscience Is purified, the
Will to do right Is strengthened, and
the mind u fortified to resist those
temptations which. especially in the
period Of adolescence. threaten the
gravest danger to the moral life"
Thh intimate connection Of re-
ngion with morality b no new idea
for tk9 Christian: nor should II b new
for any American citizen who has
really understood the original spirit
and interest Of our institutions a.
these were conceived BY the founders
of the republic. The "nalienable
rights Of life. liberty and tho pursuit
Of happiness which We hold sacred are,
according to the Declaration Of In
dependence. an endowment received
from the Creator. II In with q Arm
trust in Almighty God that our carly
Presidents take up the duties Of their
exalted office. acknowledging and
ador!ng an overruling Providence,
which by all Its dis~pensations proves
that II delights in the happiness Of
man here and his greater happiness
hereafter" Jenerson). And II Is in
the same religious spirit that Adams
concludes his inaugural address when
he says: MAY that being who Is SUI
preme owe all. the Patron OF Order,
the Fountain OF Justice and the Pro-
tector in all ages Of the world Of
virtuous liberty. continue His blessing
upon this nation and its government
and give 1t all possible success and
duration consistent with the ends Of
His providence"
But II God Is thus the source and
safeguard OF our liberties and Of all the
other blessings which We as a free
people enjoy. should He not have a
place in the school which undertakes
to train the child in the duties and
rights Of American citizenship? The
answer given to this question by the
Catholic school u the only answer con-
sistent with the principles on which
our government il founded. It Is the
practical application of tho thought
expressed by Washington in his Fare
well Address:
"Of all the dispositions and habits
which lead to political prosperity re.
ligion and morality are indispensable
supports. In vain would that man
claim the tribute Of patriotism who
should labor to subvert these great
pillars Of human happiness - these
drmest props Of the duties Of men and
citizens. Tho mere politician. equally
with the pious man, ought to respect
and to cherish them. A volume could
trace all their connections with
private and public felicity. Let It sim
ply be asked. Where II the security
property. for reputation, for life, II
the sense Of religious obligation desert
the oaths which are the instruments
Of investigation in courts Of justice?
And let Us with caution indulge the
that morality can be main
tanned without religion. Whatever may
conceded to the influence OF refined
education on minds Of peculiar struc-
ture. reason and experience both for
bid US to expect hat national morality
ran prevail in exclusion Of religious
principle"
Now. our country with an its prog
and It's prowess u neither 90
strong nor so far advanced toward the
deals Of its founders that It can dis
pense with national morality" And
z education Is to be q means for The
|urtherance Of our national welfare It
cannot afford to take as its basis the
exclusion of religious principle" / Q.
% ignore God In the national system
II mental training and mora, AI.c,.