THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 19, 6 February 1891, Page 17

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS.

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N our last issue we rnentiontd that the Bishop of Dunedin had received from the Brother Superior General of the Christian Brothers a communication to the effect that certa'n members of the Order, commissioned to open and conduct a college in this city, would speedily arrive here. This news, we are persuaded, has been gladly received by our readers. All must rejoice at the proof thus given of the advancement that Catholic education has made among us and at the promise of its progress in a still higher degree. It is hardly necessary for us to allude to the services rendered to the Catholic community by the members of the Order already among us. To these testimony has been amply borne, and their nature is known to everyone. Every year that passes by brings its own proofs of the work done by them, and of the manner in which the ( atholic boys piofil by their devoted labours. As examples, we see just now that two of their boys, the only candidates sent up by them, — namely, Masters Lugene O'Neil and Arthur Hall, though under the usual age — have passed the matriculation examination of the University. Another of their boys, the only one of them who entered for the competition, that is Master Nicholas Moloney, though not so far advanced as others, and without any special preparation, has carried oil' the first scholarship attached to St. Patrick's College, Wellington. Hitherto, nevertheless, the Christian Brothers in Dunedin have devoted themselves principally to the primary branches, although it is trwr>, that several boya who had received the chief part of their education in their school afterwards wait up to the University and pa3sed the examination with eclat, thus proving how thoroughly well grounded they had been.

Like success, however, has everywhere established the reputation of the Brothers as teachers of the higher class. In the Intermediate examinations in Ireland, their pupils invariably rank high. The same is the case in the University examinations ia the Australian colonies. From Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, everywhere, news to the same effect constantly reaches us. At the late annual display at the Brothers' college in Victoria Parade, Melbourne, for example, Dr. Brownless, Chancellor of the Melbourne University, who presided, spoke to the following effect : Having congratulated the boys on the entertainment they had just given, he went on to refer to their marked success at the University examinations. He said he had some experience in educational matters, and that he could state that the lads from the Christian Brothers' schools, in going up to the University, were well prepared in their several subjects and showed special signs of being free from " cram." — We need not point out the importance of such testimony, coming, as it did, from the very highest authority capable of speaking concerning the matter. In itself it is quite conclusive as to the character of the educational system carried out by the Brothers.

Dr. Brovtnless' testimony does not stand alone, however, but harmonizes with statements and proofs of a similar kind, as we have already said, plentifully furnished by every country in which the Christian Brothers aie established. la London, two or three years ago, their department was the wonder of a crowded Exhibition. Home months later the same thing occurred in New Orleans. We all witnessed the admirationwon by tne Brothers' display in the late Exhibition at Dunedin. Had this display been competitive, we have little doubt that they would have come off easily as the first prize takers. But such was not the case. The awards given on the occasion, even when marked first-class, were meant merely to signify that first-class work had been done in the schools so honoured, and nothing in the shape of competition took place in the educational department. No judgment was passed as to the relative merits of the different schools showing exhibits. Where the Catholic schools were concerned, moreover, the Exhibition authorities gave awards, as also expressing their sense of the patriotism shown by the managers and teachers in the expense and trouble it had cost them to make the display, which had met with such high and well-deserved appreciation from the public and the Press.

The news, then, that the Christian Brothers are about to open a col'ege iv Dunedin should be gladly received throughout the Colony. It affords a most welcome proof that Catholic education has nuide marked advancement here, and it promises Catholic colonists an enlarged opportunity of obtaining for their boys instruction, — proved everywhere by its results to bo at least on a par with that given iv schools which have gained the highest and most wide-spread renown.