SECULARISM AGAIN CONDEMNED.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 47, 14 March 1890, Page 16

SECULARISM AGAIN CONDEMNED.

ROM two different quarters of the Globe — differing from each other on many points, but with sinister agreement between them on one — testimony reaches us that goes far to confirm statements frequently made in these columns, remonstrances made and warnings given by us. Fiona

America on one hand and France on the other

we receive confirmation of the truth that the bare cultivation of the intellect is not sufficient to control the human|being, to curb his passions and make him a useful, instead of a dangerous and harmful, member of society. Secular education both in France and America, in fact, is producing fruits that undeniably stamp it with its true character, and prove its complete failure to ameliorate the condition of the country where it prevails. Neither of the sources, moreover, Irom which we derive proofs of this is liable to a suspicion of being under clerical or religious influence of any kind. Both are independent of any such associations, and one at least often gives evidence of being positively opposed to them. The sources of which we 6peak are the French Revue des Deux Mondes and the American " Popular Science Monthly,'' in each of which an unsuspected writer, in one case a Mr Benjamin fleece, himself a Secularist, struck by the evidence before his eyes, speaks very honestly concerning it.

Mr Aeece is dismayed at what has come under his notice. He finds the increase of education going everywhere hand in hand with the increase of crime. He exclaims :—": — " Can it be possible that with greater educational facilities there is to be increased crime, and that every enlargement in the seating capacity of our schools is to be followed by a larger corresponding demand for insane accommodations, and additional felons' cells ? Perish the thought ! Yet if the instruction of our common schools subdues the tendency to crime, why is it that the ratio of prisoners (National Prison Congress, 1886), being one in 8,442 inhabitants in lbso, rose to one in every 1,647 in 1860, one in 1,021 in 1870, and one in 837 in 1880; while, upon the authority of the Rev. S. W. Dicke, the amount of liquor consumed per capita was three times as great in 1883 as in 1840." But, to the confusion of the total abstinence advocates, Mr fieece also offers proof that the system upon which they insist as the complete and only source of every good thing has not the efficacy they claim for it. He says that 20 per cent of the increase in the New York State prisons of Auburn and Sing Sing in 1886 were total abstainers. Mr Recce, however, shows us conclusively that an effectual system of becular education is at least (Juittj inefficacious in checking, if it does not positively promote, the progress of crime and immorality. Still stronger and more outspoken, if possible, is the testimony borne by the Revue des Deux Mondes. The writer speaks of the reports of the inspectors of schools for the departments of Charente, Haute- Vienne, and Somme, and for the city of Paris. All these gentlemen complain of the want of moral instruction. Those of them concerned with the Parisian schools especially deplore the disregard for duty and respect shown by the children, and which they candidly attribute to the want of religious teaching. Such is the rudeness of these children, they add, that it is almost impossible to persuade employers to take them as apprentices for fear of the annoyance to be caused by them. The writer adds that the Vice- Rector of the University of Paris gives similar evidence — while a Judge of the Tribunal of the Seine, not only does so, but directly attributes the large increase of crime among young people to the laicisation of the schools. It would seem, then, that nature itself is calling out against the war waged with religion. Human nature undoubtedly is doing so, all its evil qualities getting the better of it and letting loose the animal upon the world. But what is to be the end of it all ? No nation can live in which corruption becomes general and gains the upper hand. That is the lesson of all others that history conclusively teaches. Even heathen nations came thus by their fall, and nations that as Christian have occupied a far higher place must necessarily sink to proportional depths. What we have said, meantime, so frequently concerning Secularism, not only reasoning from the nature of mankind but from facts of sure significance, as it has been supported by contemporary testimony and events, is now once more confirmed by the most recent inquiry into the state of affairs at present existing.

There has been no variation in the proof that godless education is a huge and unmixed evil. It has been all along proportional to the Secular progress of the day, and thus it continues to be. Those, moreover, who anywhere look for a change in the future will find themselves deplorably mistaken.

The members of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, destined for Gore, arrived on Monday from Melbourne at the Bluff— where they were received by the Moet Rev. Dr. Moran. The Sisters — consisting of four choir nuDS and two lay sisters — proceeded, via Invercargill, to their destination — whither also the Bishop accompanied them — their arrival in Goie being a most joyful and promising e>ent in the history of the mission. The Catholics of the district— as well as their zealous pastor, the Rev. Father Newport— are deserving of hearty congratulations for the pious energy which has had so happy a result. For our own part, we offer the good Sisters a fervent welcome to the colony, with our best wishes for their Happiness and prosperity in their new sphere of labour.

The Archbishop op Wellington arrived in Duneiin from Queenstown on Tuesday evening. His Grace left the following forenoon by the express for Christchurch.

The Emperor William as an arbitrator seems to proceed somewhat after the style of the traditional Tartar. His Majesty declares that he is quite willing to help any one who applies to him for aid as

the distressed, labourers of tbe empire have recently done. He, however, adds that he will crueh anyone who does not accept such help as it suits him to give. Germany, in fact, in the hands of the Emperor William — having at his command so tremendous an army, and having evidently all the will to übo it for his own particular ends, is, to all intents and purposes, a country controlled by an extreme despot. The triumph of Socialism in the recent elections, under the circum stances, may be looked upon as a very serious matter. It is evident that the Emperor will also be prepared to crush any triumphant party whose success may interfere with his views. Prince Bismarck we are, meantime, told, throws tbe blame of the triumph in question on unofficial advisers of the Emperor. But the usual way of excusing an erring ruler is to throw the blame on those who surrouad him. The rational conclusion ie, therefore, that the Emperor has aoted independently, both of those who, like Prince Bismarck, are in office, and those who are not. All Germany, in short, as well as the labourers of the Empire appears to have caught a Tartar. Let us hope all Europe may not, in process of time, have a similar experience.

The Rev. Father Donnelly, (says the North Otago Times of March 8) who for the past two years or so has acted as curate for the parish of Oamaru, has been promoted by Bishop Moran to he parish priest of Nenthorn and Palmerston, Macraeß also forming part of the parish. During his residence hert Father Donnelly proved himself to be an earnest and zealous worker amongst his own people while his kindly disposition and the liberality of his views won him the consideration of all classes and sections of the community. He left here for his new charge on Thursday, and on the morning of that day a number of the prominent members of the Catholic congregation waited upon him at the presbytery for the purpose of congratulating him on his promotion. . . . Later in the day, at the railway station, a large number of people assembled to wish Father Donnelly every success in his new parish, and to bid him an affectionate good' bye.

As a result of the recent examination of the Catholic schoold of the Wellington diocese by the Rev. Father Goggan, 8.M., (says the Westport Newt) a Bcholarship value 40 guineas per annum, and tenable for two years at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, has been awarded to Master James Moloney, of St. Canice's School, Weatport. This result reflects great credit on the lad himself as well as on his able and accomplished teacher, Mr. Began.

" Mb. Michael P. Gbacb, the youngest brother of ex-Mayor Grace," says the New York Freeman' c Journal, " has accomplished a Herculean labour in reorganising the finances of Peru and rescuing that unhappy country from chronic bankruptcy. He bas secured a settlement from Chili, and has got the Peruvian Government to transfer the railroad and other propert.es invo'ved to tho bondholders, on a lease of 66 years. These capitalists will doubtless recoup themselves in that period, at the end of which the property will revert to the Government in a splendid condition, while employment meanwhile will be given to thousands of Peruvians. Mr. Grace's chief idea was the rescue of Peru, and, against tbe advice of bis friends he sank 250,000 dol', of his own money, hopelessly it was thought, before the end was reached." Mr. Grace, we may add, is also a brother of the Hon. Dr. Grace of Wellington, Count of the Holy Roman Empire.

Mb, Gladstone, in the House of Commons, bas criticised the Parnell Commission — defending the Irish leaders in a speech which deserved for him a great ovation in the House, and which, therefore, we may belive to have been brilliant and successful in the extreme. The amendment proposed by him was rejected by a majority of 71 — but this was a foregone conclusion, and inevitable. The reduction of the Tory majority, however, is very significant— that the Unionists are dmded on the subject, we may conclude from the fact that Lord Randolph Churchill and Mr. W. S. Caine.jthe Conservative whip, abstained from voting. It is further announced that the hon. members in question will support an amendment proposed by Mr. Jennings, member for Stockport, condemning the Commission for accusing members of the House of complicity in murder, and which amendment is now under debate. Lord Salisbury meantime appears personally in this master also, as well as in that of the West End scandals, in anything rather than a dignified light. He has descended to the paltry accusation that Mr. Dillon visited Australia to escape from examination before the Commission. He is also exposed by Mr. Sexton as having written a letter to Pigott after the forgeries had been discovered. Mr. Sexton rightly concludes, therefore, that the connection of the Government with the Times is fully proved. A violent and bitter speech in reply from Mr. Balfour, only serves to confirm this conclusion. On the whole the fortunes of the lrißh party seem anything rather than on the decline.

The visit to Italy of Count Von Waldersee, chief of the German military staff, and and who perhaps was one of the unofficial advisers referred to by Prince Bismarck, is somewhat saspicioui juit at this

juncture. The Count is known to stand high in the confidence of the Emperor, rivalling Prince Bismarck, to whom on many points he is opposed. In all probability the visit has some reference to the intention announced on the part of the Italian Government of completing the conquest of Abysßinia — always as the French interfere with the King of Dahcmey in tbe interests of tbe country. A special mission from Berlin to Signor Crispi wale France and Italy are engaged in a partial partition of Africa may have some significance. As to French denials of designs on Dahomey, they may go for what they are worth.

His Scotch action against the Times, for which, on some technical point rather doubtfully decided, application was refused, has cost Mr. Parnell £500. Fortunately the damages paid by the newspaper to settle the English action will much more than cover the amount.

Among the visitors to the Exhibition during the week, haa been the Bey. Father O'Hallahan of Kumara, who was the guest, for two or three days, of the clergy of the Dunedin mission. The Bey. gentleman left, on his return journey, by the Christen urch express, on Wednesday morning.

The victory of a Home Buler ia the bye-election for St. Paneras is very important, particularly in the present crisis, aB not only proving the change for the better that has taken place in London, but also as showing the effect produced there both by the sitting of the Parnell commission and their report to Parliament. A defeat at Stamford does nothing towards counterbalancing this victory. On the contrary, it also betokens a success, the Conservative returned having only a majority of 282 in an electorate where, at the last election, another Conservative was returned unopposed. The tide, then, still flows in favour of Home Bule.

On Wednesday last (says the Liverpool Catholic Times, January 24), (he Bey. John Golden sailed from Liverpo >1 for New York on board the Celtic, en route for New Zaaland via San Francisco. Father Golden has spent four years and a half on the mission ia the diocese 6f Southwark, having been for the greater part of that time connected with St. George's Cathedral. He has taken an active part in the working of the League of the Cross. He is about to take up missionary work in New Zealand, where be formerly spent twelve years.

We would again remind our readers of the concert to be given on the evening of St. Patrick's day, in the Garrison Hall, Dunedm. — The services, as we have already announced, of several professional and well-qualified amateur singers, have been secured ; a most attractive programme has been prepared, and everything haa been done to provide for the pleasure of an audience. It only remains for the people of Dunedin and its vicinity to do the rest and show themselves responsive to the occasion. St. Patrick's day certainly deserves some special commemoration, and those who, like the Irish Rifles, recognise this and exert themselves to do honour to the festival deserve support.

The Cardinal-Vicar of Rome has contributed a sum of 10,000 lire (£400) to the fund for the erection of churches in the new quarters of Rome.

A special advantage connected with the Al Boot Shop, George street, Dunedin, ia that orders given by post receive careful attention and are in every instance satisfactorily executed. Price lists will be forwarded on application.

D.d the fast ever strike you, that all the republics ia the world with the exception of our own, are predominantly Catholic? It Beems that Protestantism is Dot favourable to a republican form of government, because even with us tbe Catholic colony of Maryland was the first to proclaim religious tolerance and liberty, and our Constitution was fashioned after it. Paganism knew nothing of liberty in the modern sense ; the republics of Greece and Borne were such by similarity of nime only, nor were their officials elected by the people. The Constitution which Christ gave His Church became the model for all Christian nations.

The new dynamo to be used in " executing" criminals in New York btate was tested lately in the Auburn Prison. An ancient horse, with at least one leg in the grave, wai promptly dispatched to regions unkaown by a current of 1,000 volts, and with a similar current a calf was as expeditiously reduced to dead meat. It now only remains to be seen how the dynamo will work on a hardened criminal.

The plaintive note which runs through the Allocution cf his Holiness Leo XIII. must fill the heart of every Catholic with sadness His Holiness has had much to suffer during the past year at the hands of the uogratefal rulers of Italy and their supporters. The Bruno celebration, Crispi's glorification at Palermo of the goddess of reason, the expulsion of Mgr. Pellegrini from his see, tha passing of the Penal Law, and the secularising of the charitable institutions have been, as it were, so many steps teDding to separate Italy more and more from the spiritual authority which has preserved its greatness. Italy is progressing in the ways of Jacobinism. Priests and bishops are treated pretty much as pariahs, and the aim of the Italian Government seems to be nothing more nor less than to de-Christianise the country.— Liverpool Catholic Times.