A CATHOLIC VIEW OF SECULAR EDUCATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 November 1875, Page 2

A CATHOLIC VIEW OF SECULAR EDUCATION.

IiESIAPE aB !-E SASTOKAIi IirsiBUCTIQN. v\ r e make no apology for giving extracts "at sul'K; length-from an extremely firm yet moderate instruction issued to their people by the Arch vishops of Mvxieo, Michoacan, and Guadalajara • • 'I tie rigorous, prohibition of religious instruction iu the majority of' cuir schools, is equivalent. according to this, to laying the' 'foundation in an early, future., of entire generations, without anv religion whatever.; of innumerable families condemned to a merely animal existence, and of notions of Godless and lawless atheists. Is notthe very idea beloved children, horrible beyond description P the mere consideration of a society composed of such a class of men? Is there the slightest guarantee for the honor, the prosperity, aul the hope of those associated in it ? ; Whatever, Venerable .Brethren and beloved children, may ; hare be.en the intention of the legislator, you must understand that it will be of no avail to take occasion from this to give vent to any indignation, however just, if expressed in a disrespectful manner, which can lead to no other result than the exercise of sedition or revolt, a result truly abominable and detested by religion. Not without cause are you filled with horror, beloved children ; for if children come to be generally educated without the slightest idea of religion, before many, years perhaps all the Christain faith of this land, so devoted and so Catholic, will disappear. But you must distinctly understand that revolution and disorder are not the. lawful means to counteract such grpat evils, nor even to mitigate them ; in their transcendent consequences. Peaceablo. and reasonable representations and petitions, without irritating menaces, or undignified disrespect, are in perfect accord with Christian behavior, and the laws under which we live, admit, approve and respect them. Here, then, is the lawful manner of expressing your, religious sentiments, abstaining, however, in using it, from all dictation, recrimination,, sarcasm and disrespect 'against the constituted authorities ' - u , :• .

If this means proves insufficient }to tteifegislator to. a better" thinking, . and to revoke-a ■■ measure fr'eigKted;. witif. so many, misfortunes, then, beloved chilhren, no. can prevent you from seeking for your, sons* and daughters other schools and institutions, because this same Federal Constitution, guaranteeing, as it does, absolute freedom of education, there is no scarcity in our country of many other private schools and institutions in which our children are instructed in the religion of their fathers. But as these schools: are not. free, and it is not possible for the fathers and mothers of the poorer classes to lay aside a monthly 'sum, however small it may be, to keep their children in-these schools, you beloved children, who are blessed with an abundance, and you, also, who, though not possessed of abundance, of the luxuries of life, but who, nevertheless, by your occupation or profession, earn a sufficiency for your' modest subsistence, ; do you stimulate one another in the exercise of this so meritorious charily Assemble,together the heads of families, byi, parishes .or by wards; elect from among your number three or more persons, who, by their honesty and probity deserve your confidence, and form with, them a society to get subscriptions among you, so as to- beable every montfr to create • a modest salary, with which to pay a teacher, who, by his pious and exemplary conduct, will be competent to take charge of tho education of youth. Let Pastors and other Priests, who have, charge, of souls endeavour-to excite their parishioners to a work so full of merit in the eyes of God. There is no doubt that this plan will in a short time;b'e ; attended with the most happy results—a sufficient number of free, schools, in which the. children of the poor may receive that religious instruction so necessary and indispensable to the formation and direction, of their conduct. ilou can well understand, Venerable Brethren and beloved children, that the means we propose to you to supply the want of religions instruction in the schools supported by the public funds, are brought down, in •substance, to an affectionate recommendation, to take advantage of the liberty which remains to you by the Constitution of the .country and the manner most pleasing to you, always mindful that your actions do not in any way disturb peace and" public order. . " - *

This is the ground upon wliicli you must always labor as devoted Christians, and never as partisans. Be energetic and diligent iu doing good, and to obtain for your neighbors the bread of the divine Word contained in Catholic education; but beware of rashness. Always walk on firm ground, without deviating .in the slightest from the respect- <iue to the authorities ; and never ;be guilty, ;> by word or deed, of retaliation of revenge, o£ : intemperate impatience, and of injury?/: ' '] i