The Irish standard., 1919-03-08
Written by Rev. A. Muntsch, S. J.
of st. Louis.

Reconstruction is the watchword of
the hour. 1t is our duty as Catholics
to work "constructively" in this move.
ment. But while the enemy and those
bitterly opposed to Catholic teaching
are working with might and main to
assert their principles, many of us
have been content with falling back
upon "the excellence of the general
principles of Catholic social reform"
Evidences of the activity of the enc
mics of the solid Christian reform of
society are everywhere about us. Even
the much-lauded Social Reconstruct
ton Program of the British Labor
Party" bears elements of danger. It's
COMBINATIONS of the present social
MARKHAM socialism. 1t offers the old
Socialist program of Government op-
Grafton of farms, factories, mills,
mines, stores, banks, etc. Again, COM
ing more directly to the vicious social
teachings now inculcated in our
schools, Professor Ellwood of the Uni
versity of Missouri, in work first
published in 1910, speaking of ''The
Sociological View of Morality" says:
cit is evident that moral codes from
the social point of view are simply
Foundations of standards of conduct
which groups find it convenient or nee
essary to impose upon their men,
bers." A series of articles is now be-
ing published in Central Blatt and
Social JUSTICE" pointing out the vi
cious tendencies of this and a number
of other sociologic texts widely used
in American schools. A preacher-so-
biologist, Mr.. B. I. Bell, in a work
called Fright and Wrong after the
War" boldly advocates teachings of
the most perverse and nti-Christian
kind. Bolshevisn1, in spite of the
reign of terror it has inaugurated in
some countries, is looked upon by
not few, as practical method for
gaining certain much-needed reform
measures.
To, give an instance bearing more
directly upon the present article, So
: cialistic catechisms have been pub
lished in several languages adapting
the teachings of Marx and Engels to
the child mind. A New York Social
list paper prints a weekly page for
children. The youngsters write their
own stuff for it and draw their own
cartoons.
Now one reason why Catholics are
not so ready to take part in the ur
gent work of Reconstruction, now go
ing on in every phase of modern life
is that they have not been as well pre-
pared as those who are looking for
ward to 'the great Revolution
Some of our leaders now realize
that Catholic young women should en-
ter the ranks of social service workers
and are urging them to take up sucf
activities. But the work is becoming
every day more specialized, demand
ing an exacting, and even technica
preparation. In view of the danger:
mentioned, it would be unwise to sent
them to centers where perniciou:
teaching is the order of the day. Blu
preparation of some kind they mus
have. Margaret Fletcher, one Of thu
best known Catholic social workers o
England, says that the girl of toda!
will be practically compelled to mingl'
in society, where views prevail tina
are far different from those held in tn
days of their grandparents. And We
these girls must "be there" and SOM
of them must even associate contin
ually with persons holding these ''ad
vanced" views in case they take VI
social service.
We must admit that unless we frs
teach our teachers how to develop eth
social sense of their pupils in tn
earlier years, we may not at all sue
coed in equipping well-trained an
well-balanced social workers. Thi
seems to have been the idea which II
spired the calling of Conference b
our English brethren of the faith, 70
the purpose of studying this very ques
ton. On account of its high value t.
teachers in America, we think it WORT
while to quote the entire first para
graph of a Report of the Conference
from "The Tablet" (Jan. Is, 1919
The report is published under tn
title: "Our Teaching Orders And Sc
cial Study"
Conference in London.
Though inauguated in quite moo
est way, a movement has now defil
itely commenced within the Catholl
Church which has immense POSSIBLE
ties. At conference held in the Col
vent of the Assumption, Kensingto
Square, on Thursday afternoon, JAM