rather find recognition than censure, for having wisely limited their work centuries ago. Moreover, the Jesuits did teach elementary branches, at least in some places, not only in Paraguay, but also in Europe. Father Nadal writes: "In the elementary class (classis abecedariorum), which may be opened with the permission of the General, the boys are taught reading and writing. A brother may be employed to assist the teacher if the class should be too large."[1] – Be it further added that at present, in the foreign missions, v. g. in Syria, the Jesuits conduct hundreds of elementary schools, in which most branches are taught by lay brothers or by sisters of various teaching congregations.[2]
The fourth part of the Constitutions contains only the general principles, not a complete system of education. That this more general legislation was not considered final by St. Ignatius, follows from the passage in which he states that "a number of points will be treated of separately in some document approved by the General Superior."[3] This is the express warrant, contained in the Constitutions, for the future Ratio Studiorum, or System of Studies in the Society of Jesus.
