EDUCATIONAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 2, 10 May 1873, Page 9

EDUCATIONAL.

ST. AIDAN'S SEMINARY, GRAHAMSTOWN CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

IiAYIjS t (x THE rOTJITDATIO^ STONE. The foundation stone of St. Aidau's Seminary Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, in the Right Rev Dr Moron's last charge, was laid on Wednesday January. The local journal describing the ceremony says : — Wednesday last was a day long to be remembered by the in^

habitants of Grahametown and by the whole community of Roman Catholics throughout the Eastern Province. On that day the foundation stone of St. Aidan's Seminary was solemnly blessed by the Bight Rev. J. D. Ricards, R.. C. Bishop of the Eastern Province, in the presence of a large assembly of . persons, many ■of whom had come from various parts of the colony to attend the imposing ceremony. • THE BUILDING.

The building will, when completed, be a valuable' addition to the architectural gems of the city. St. Aidan's Seminary Building has been designed with a view to almost unlimited extension,— its wings can be extended, or its walls raised in consequence of. their great solidity and strength.

VISITORS.

-As " coming events cast their shadows before them," so the laying of the foundation stone of St. Aidans Seminary was foretold by large numbers of straugors flocking to the town. For some doys previously the streets presented a much greater amount of animation than they usually do and when the day itself came the wonder was where all the people came from.' Subjoined is tin outline of the proceedings.

THE PBOCESSION.

At about half-past ten o'clock in the morning, a procession started from the Convent, consisting of the Sisters of the Assumption, and about 160 school children, chastely dressed in white veils and wreaths. The white dresses were tasrefully set off with blue sashes On arriving at the pro-Cathedral a halt was made, when the Convent and School ■were joined by large numbers of the laity and clergy. In the following order the procession then moved on :—: —

The Clergy, The Right Rev. J. D. Ricards, R. C. Bishop of the Eastern Province, aud the Revs. J. O'Connel and J. Fagan. The Com ent School Children. dieters of Mercy. Female Adult Members of Congregation. Choir Boys. Male Members of the CongregationAs the column moved along, it presented a very pleasing and imposing sight. The Convent children in their white garments, and the choristers, who were dressed in scarlet with white gowns, looking specially attractive. Ltd by the Right Rev. the Bishop and his worthy colleaguts, the route, leading directly to the scene whore the great event was td take place, was taken, and as the procession moved along large numbers of the inhabitants, some on foot and others in carriages or on torses, added to the throng. On arriving at the gate at the entrance to the grounds a halt was made, and the Right Rev. the Bishop proceeded ta a large marquee that had been placed close by, where he habited himself in his ministerial robes, and shortl' afterwards, with all the insignia of his high office, the Bishop, accom v panied hy the Revs. Patrick Farrelly, of Grahamstown ; John O'Brien" of TJitenhage ; John Fagan, of King Williamstown ; and James O'Connell of Fort Beaufort and followed by the members of St. Patrick's Lodge, who swelled the already large numbers of the procession, moved on to the pruposed site.

THE BISHOP'S AT>DBES3.

The Bishop, having blessed and laid the stone, then proceeded to deliver the following eloquent address, which was listened to throughout with rapt and eager attention :—: — I om anxious that all who are present on this, to me, most joyful occasion, would share in my feelings, and, therefore, I mean to tell you, in a few words, why my heart is filled with gladnesa in being permitted by Almighty G^d to bles? the first stone of St. Aiden's College. Some of these pleasurable emotions are no doubt more or less of a personal nature, inasmuch as comparatively few are living now, or are here to-day, who can look back with me to the time when the erection of a Catholic seminary in Grahaxnßtown was first seriously contemplated. Still, I think it roust be interesting to every well re- I gulated mind to behold the germ of a great and benevolent idea, fostered by patient thought, grow and expand with years, till at last it bursts into being, and gradually assumes that healthy and hardy development, which enoblcs it to- bear transplanting, and to fix itself in the soil by wide-spreading and fiim roots", and to raise itself towards heaven, bearing fruits agreeable in the eyes of God and man. It is now more than a score of years since Dr Deveiux, the first Bishop of the Eastern Province, pointed out the importance and necessity, as well for the interest of religion as for the public good, of an institution of this kind here in Grahamstown. Indeed, I may say it engaged his mind from the moment of his appointment as Bishop. It was ever present to him, even amid the caies and anxieties inseperable from the establishment of a new mission, 1 feel convinced that, had he been spared to tuke his part iv the work of this day, the dream of his missionary life would have been accomplished, and his joy would have been full. But no one knew better than he that, for him at least, the project was but a dream, to end us a dream : no amount of noble generosity or self sacrifice could master the stern bounds of poverty, and rise above the pressure of the grievous wants which m eigbed down and threatened to crush the infant mission. He passed to his reward, but the idea lived, passed safely through "hard times," and found a secure abode in the fertile mind of his successor. All who know Dr Moran, and there are few in this Province at least who do not know him sufficiently to bear testimony to his earnestness of purpose, and his devotion and outspoken ard manly vindication of her best interests, will easily understand how this project of St. Aiden's having commended itself to his judgment, it at once received his most cordial and enthusiastic approval and support. But there were other more pressing engagements. The absolute wants of his flock forced themselves on his attention, and for years engrossed all his care. Churches had to be built, houses for the priests, elementary schools for the children of the poor, and institutions such as you have saen gradually growing up in your midst, while he was left to rule and

guide us. These works already traced out by his predecessor were of paramount importance. How he longed for the time to come when he would be free at last to begin what he used to call « the great work !" J ist as the long wished for day dawned he was taken from us. How his joyous spirit would exult were he with us now, after having performed the ceremony which it has fallen to my lot to perform this morning. No wonder that my heart should swell with jor in being the instrument in the hands of God for the realization in Hit honour of the fondest wish of these t*o great men who hold the highest place in my respectful love and veneration ! And may I not flatter myself that even these personal considerations will be interesting to you, proving as they do most strikingly that patient hope, and unswerving perseverance, and generous self-sacrifice will, in utod's own good time, mature the seed of high and holy thoughts, and brinr to a successful issue whatever is prudently attempted to promote His' greater glory. But my joy, ou this occasion, takes a much wider scope than the gratification of mere personal feelings. It is far more Catholic in its sources than this. I am glad that it is my privilege to bless this stone, because I believe the institution about^to be built «n this' foundation will prove a lasting and ever-growing benefit to my adopted home and country. I may not I've to see the completion of this work — we are all in the hands of God. It may require years of patient toil to carry it out even to the limits of the first design*. Want of means and straitened ciroumstances may retard its progress and unexpected difficulties and obstacles apparently insurmountable may utart up in its way. But of one thing I am qaite assured: sooner or later St. Aidan's Seminary will be a fact ; and in this fact I see the source of many blessings to the colony. Choicest and first amongst them the perpetuity and diffusion in the land of the goo J old Faith " once delivered to the Saints," by the careful training in this, institution of an unfailing line of devoted missionaries, — the inestimable boon of a sound and real education brought within the reach of many who should otherwise look in vain for this treasure, ever coveted in proportion to the spread of civilisation and progress— a very fountain of life and healthy vigor to many a promising youth, destined through its means to exchange a wasted existence for a Ufa of manly effort and well directed aims for the public weal ; a seminary, in fact, where many a graceful scion of a sound and. healthj stock may grow up, secure from the biting blast of temptation and sin, to the full development of every quality that becomes a Christian scholr.r and a man. I have no fears for the future of St. Aidan's. It roatteis little to me who shall bless the edifice when complete, rising above the stone I have blessed to-day. Our only concern must be to do our duty while we may, and leave all else to the wise dispensation of Divine Providence j but a day will surely come when its halls aha'! be filled with the hum of busy life — when crowds of joyous youngsters shall cluster round this fount of knowledge, and the walls of the chapel shall resound with the chant of youthful voices trained to swel ! the hymn of praise in honor of God, who has blessed the laud with an abode of piety and learning. Once the Catholic Church has taken root in any country, it never dies ; branches may wither and decay— scandals may strip it of its fair leaves and flowers — the tree may bend beneath the storm of persecution, yet will the stem grow on, add'nc to its massive strength year after year, till mole sum, but its weight and size and majesty, it bids defiance to the blast ; and when the sounds of impotent wrath are hushed to silence and the mists hive cleared av»ay, it will stand forth blooming in immortal youth, clad *n verdure, and more beautiful than ever. Believing as I do in the stability of the Church in South Africa, it is in no billy spirit of idle prophecy. lam confident that the work begun to-day will in time reach its full development and perfection. It would be selflah. wer? I to dwell further on the benefits winch the faith to which, ruy hope of salvation are imnioveably fixed, will derive from St. Aidan's. At the same time I would be wanting in honest candor did I not express the feelings of joyful confidence for the welfare and prosperity for the faith in South Africa, which springs up within mo as I see iv the future seminary a store house, which will Bupply the Vicaiiate with well-trained and pious ecclesiastics. A want now most grievously felt, and increasing with the enormous development of Catholicity in Australia and America, which countries absorb our missionary element in the mother country, will, I believe, here receive the only remedy that is possible under the circumstaucas. In the course of a , few years, a sight pitiful to every Christian heart will have disappeared Congregations will not bo left, as as they ere unfortunately now, without pastors to announce the word of God, and to break to the hungry and destitute the bread of life.

There is another source of joy on which I fain would dwell as being more congenial to the feelings of many kind friends, who, though differing from me in religious convictions, are here to-day to cheer and encourage with approving smile what they believe to be in the fullest sense a great Catholic good work. I "rejoice because the fiVgt stone is laid of a bailding whioh will be a help to the educational establishments already in existence in the Province, to promote the public good. Ignorance is the fruitful source of almost every evil. If I had to choose between two evila —the influence of ignorance or positive immorality in those whose wealth or position gives them a high place in society — I would certainly prefer the latter. A bad young man who knows his social duties, but through sloth, or wildness, or sensuality, disregards them, is a f»r less evil to real progress than the ignorant fanatic, who cannot see beyond the narrow limits of bigotry and prejudice, and who concentrates all his zeal in attempting to blight and crush the good he cannot understand. The former will, with the instincts of his better nature, gavo way at once before the presence of superior intelligence ; and will not dare obtrude his selfish indulgence in the way of what he knows to be right, — while the latter glories in the triumphs of a mistaken zeal, and gloats over the check he has given to high and holy hopea by appealing to the low views of passion and vulgar prejudice. Whatever tends to break down ignorant pretensions and the tyranny which ever accompanies them — whatever helps to clear away the obstructions to the flow of large, generous, and enlightened senti-

ments, and to open up the channels of healthy knowledge is a positive boon to society of the rery highest class. Ai.d the work begun to-day aims at no more in this point of view, than to do its part in this great work of social regeneration. Far be it from me to utter one word in dispraise of the schools already existing among us. I revere even the poor slaving " meester " who with infinite toil has succeeded in leading one rill of healthy information on to the plot confided to his c«re. Much more, of course, do I prize the labors of those earnest men whose abundant means and higher position than ours have enabled them years ago to open for the benefit of their fellow-colonists wider streams of knowledge. I rejoice because one more is to be added to those fountains of social life ; ard that I have been enabled, even at the expense of years of toil, to offer at last my contribution to the public good. Thank God the thought of envious feeling finds no place in my mind. There is abundant room for all who desire to labor in this vide field. Were schools to be counted by hundreds ra har than by units, there would still be a pressing want for more. Compare the few who attend the schools of our towns and oitiet with the multitudes, whose thirst for knowledge can be slaked only at the muddy ponds of ill-organised primary schools, where the first elements are badly taught, and who are cut off even from these. Consider, too, the capabilities of our Colonial youth of both sexes. I speak with the experience of a Coloniul school-master of twenty-three ye*rs, and having charge of schools where the school discipline is as perfect as it is in the mother country. I have no hesitation in saying that the Africander youth :s splendid material to work upon when judiciously managed. For I have seen results of this careful and judicious training amongst our Colonial youth that would greatly astonish, and have often surprised ladies and gentlemen of first-rate education from England. Consider all this, and you will see at once that we are only as yet beginning the great work of education in the Province ; and that, in laying the foundation of this Institution, I am only joining the pioneers of real progress.

One more Bource of my happiness on this great occasion I will touch upon, and I have done. I behold with fpelings of joy even greater still than tlio.se I have mentioned, the kindly and generous feelings which the efforts to raise this Institution have evoked from very many of all clnsses and all creeds in this city and throughout the whole Province. I have heard so often the cordial " God speed your work " from many who were complete strangers to me before — I have met with so much material support, in my ett'orts to raise the necessary funds for the seminary, from hundreds outside our communion — I have marked co often the unmistakeable signs oi a real interest in this undertaking and a desire for its completion on the part of my Protestant brethren, that I cannot but note with delight the sp/ead of a large-hearted and large minded catholicity pervading the whol9 Province. This I regard as the most cheering sign of better times. I remember well the first difficulties which impeded the Catholic Church in this city in its efforts in the cause of high education. I could not but note often the sneering growl of low suspicion and ignorant bigotry which met us at every turn. The cry seemed to have gone forth — " Can anything good come out of Nazareth ?" and found an echo in the feelings of thousands. Thank God, we kept never minding — only trying to do our duty faithfully, aud in strict accordance with the principles of honor and fidelity to trust. There was a conviction in our minds that this course would tell in the end in our favor. We knew we had to deal with a people who had left home and country in the spirit of manly enterprise, and fought there way to fortune through patient courage and perseverance, who would therefore, •ooner or later, judge of our labors by their fruits. It is the proudest joy of my life in South Africa, that I have lived to see the realization of this conviction. The generous spirit which has enabled me — a poor missionary Bishop — with a small aud scattered flock, rich indeed. in charity, but generally poor in worldly possessions, to inaugurate a work like tins, which in the course of one short year has placed ia my hands funds sufficient to afford a reasonable hope of carrying it to its completion, is proof unquestionable tnat our exertions in the cause of education have begun to be fairly estimated, and, that in spite of the howl of bigotry ai:d intolerant prejudice, our intentions are honored by the public confidence. I rejoice and am glad beyond measure that my lot has been cast amongst people capable of those kind, generous, and noble sentiments — able and williug to judge themselves the merit of a work like ours by its fruits, capable of appreciating the value of high education, offered even by those whom they wore taught to regard as enemies, and ready to come forward wich approving smile aad words of encouragement, and open hand and purse to help and further so glorious an object. May the work begun to-day speedily reach its completion j and may it when completed prove a blessing, not only to the present generation, but to mauy thousands yet unborn. I have alreaJy secured the services of a body of men most fitted by their vocation and long study and experience to offer to the students of St. Aidan's, at the smallest cost, an education inferior to nouo obtainable in the Colony. Those who have learned by experience to rely upon us in the charge of their children, will bear testimony to our good faith ; and all may rest assured that in St. Aidan's, as well as our other institutions, the rights of parents will be held in that respect which is tecured to them by their position and the principles of honor and justice.

CONCLUSION OP THE CBEE3IONX

In accordance with a time-honored custom it ia usual for the friends and patrons of au institution like this to lay some offering of their good will upon the foundation stpne. It is my crowning joy to- clay that I am enabled to lay upon it my offering of £400. A sum of about £150© having been then laid on the stone in various smaller sums, the solemn benedictiou wa3 then pronounced, and the first stone, of what is to be hoped will be a prosperous institution, was laid with all the solemnity, pomp, and all circumstances befitting such an important social and religious event.

THE IiAITY AND THE EDUCATION ACT. (The ' Advocate..') Qa the occasion, of the Bishop laying the foundation atone* on

Sunday last, of St. Lawrence's Church, atßedesdale, his Lordship was presented by the St. Vincent's branch of the H.AC.B.S. with a dutiful address, printed on silk. The following paragraph was in the address : — " We should be doing an injustice to our feelings were we to allow the. -present opportunity to pass without expresing our unqualified condemnation of the principles of the Education Act. now in force in. this Colony. We are well aware of the chief object for which it has been enacted— namely, to eradicate from ■ the rising Catholic generation tha. holy and ancient faith of their forefathers. We sincerely hope that the Catholics, by being united and acting in obedience to the teachings of the Church, may be able to frustrate- the designs of the promo' era of this Godless system of education." * Similar expres-" sionu also appeared in (another address presented- to his Lordship on the Sunday previous at Stawell, by the St. Patrick's branch, Btoi, 69, c»f the H.A.C.B.S, We aro glad. to see these spontaneous evidences- of a just appreciation ofithe present iniquitous education law. It qnly needs that Catholics be united in their rejection of it, by holding, totheir own : schools, to induce a change. Once- the secularists see their designs frustrated through having gone too far, they will try another and a milder plan.