it was its duty to educate the children of Catholic parents in the truths of their religion, was denounced as an enemy of the country. At present the more thoughtful Protestants begin to acknowledge that this idea is the only true one. The spread of immorality and infidelity has opened the eyes of many.[1]
We may be allowed to quote one or other recent utterance of non-Catholics on this subject. Professor Gates, of the Chicago Theological Seminary, writes in the Biblical World, September 1902: "The great problem of life is education. The mind of the race is growing all the while, and it is for the educator to see that these mental powers are developed in the right direction. But no man's education is complete if religious instruction be omitted. One may know all mysteries of science and literature; he may sweep the heavens with the telescope, or peer into the secrets of nature with the microscope; but if in all this he see not God, he is but poorly educated after all. Now where do we find ourselves, as we confront this phase of the national problem? We have a system of public education to be proud of. Never have the various questions that meet the teacher been so well understood as to-day. But what is this great system doing
- ↑ On this subject see the following recent publications: Father Poland, S. J., "True Pedagogics and False Ethics," in Am. Cath. Quart. Review, April 1899; also as separate pamphlet. – Father Campbell, S. J., "The Only True American School System," Messenger, November 1901, and the same author's article: "Moral Teaching in French Schools," ib., May 1902. – Further, Father Conway, S. J., The Respective Rights and Duties of Family, State and Church in regard to Education. New York, Pustet, 1890, pp. 34-60. – Father Cathrein, S. J., Religion und Moral, oder Gibt es eine Moral ohne Gott? Freiburg and St. Louis, Herder, 1900.