AGITATE ! AGITATE ! AGITATE !

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 52, 27 April 1894, Page 17

AGITATE ! AGITATE ! AGITATE !

tE have frequently expressed the wish that Catholics should avail themselves of every opportunity of giving a rational presentment of their strong claim for simple justice in the matter of education. We note with pleasure that the Catholics of Greymonth have taken advantage of the occasion afforded in the reception of the Bishop to make, in a marked manner, a protest against the iniquity of the present system of godless schools. An address was presented to his Lordship in which a report was briefly given of the great work done by their religious teachers in the cauie of true education, and a virtual promise made by the people to continue the good fight and secure for Catholic children all the blessings of solid and refined Christian training. The pastor of the district must gladly share in the laudable pride of the people in the possession of very efficient schools . Though established but a few years on their present basis the Catholic schools ot Greymouth have won much scholastic success in different public examinations. N< cessarily in a small congregation the schools are not large, and yet in their address the people could say — " Five from our schools successfully passed the Civil Service examination this year; one that of matriculation to the hew Zealand University, and at the last Trinity College examination in music our Convent schools carried off not only sen or honours in that subject, but two obtained the highest marks as yet reached in that subject in this Colony." What is done in Greymouth is done by Catholics ia the cities and many of the towns throughout New Zealand. 'I hough sorely handicapped, the devotion of the teachers and the intelligence of pupils make up for the absence of advantages which lavish expenditure of money — of other people's money — secures for the pampered children of public schools, hvery Catholic school should aim at success in the matter of public examination. We have to prove to others what we know ourselves, that while duty to God is fostered in our school life, duty to society is cherished. Our children are well prepared to fight the battle of the world, as well as the battle of religious principle. The bigots will not see that our schools, in secular teaching, are thoroughly efficient. When facts are placed before them they turn away, and repeat their ignorant assertion in other directions. But ignorant bigots are lessening in number. Men of intelligence, untrammeled by the prejudices of the old world and another age, are to be met irith in abundance, who, though opposed to qs, listen with respect to a statement of our position, and are not so blind «s not to see that our schools are shooting ahead with ever increasing speed. These we must continue to enlighten, for knowledge will eventually secure the dawn of just cc. Our cause will triumph. Ultimate success may be some distance off. Catholic emancipation was not won in a day, and the Home Rule question has not yet finally triumphed. We have only to steadily pursue a well defined course, and victory will infallibly be ours . We must keep our schools in the front rank, and, if possible, more than abreast of the State schools. We must never cease to agitate for justice. Oft-repeated and general scholastic success, and persistent rational agitation will yet win the day. Though we have ■not always money to purchase advanced school appliances, we

have devoted teachers, steadily increasing in number, and devotion amounting to heroism, money cannot always buy. We certainly have intelligent children. We can apply, with great reason, to the bright children of our schools and to our people what a gifted Jesuit recently said in Dublin ;

" It could not be dsnied that the vast mpjority of the Irish children were very gifted. Education was ail they wanted to win virtue and fame. They could not forget that the Irish people were for long aud dark and weary centuries, with a refinement of cruelty that had no parallel in history, condemned to intellectual darkness. But the cold-blooded experience of tyranny proved a failure, and love of Qci acd country was in tbe hea-t of the people, but the persecution continued so ruthlessly and so long, for generation after generation, that the eons and daughters of Treland had to become drudges and slaves in lands to which they were driven by cruel and unjust laws. Af er cent_ries of persecution they now saw the fountains of knowledgp, which were for centuries of persecution dried up, open to all. T'ro t»me of the Brothers' rjhools was spread throughout the world, and for the devotion of the Brothers to the>r high calling tbev were entitled to rank amongst tbe very test benefactors of mankind."

What Father O'Coitnell said of the Irish children at Home may well be applied to the children of Irish parents abroad. What he said of the Brothers is rightly applied to the Sisters who care for our Catholic girls. If we had a system of Government inspection as in Queensland, or a system of State aid with public examination as in Western Australia, it would be seen that if our teachers and pupils got half a chance the argument for justice would be materially strengthened. The people of Greymouth have reason to make the strong protest, — in which, on behalf of Catholics throughout the Colony, we join. — " teeing that we do our work of education so well, we are really surprised that a majority of our fellow- colonists, whom in all other matters we find so reasonable and just, should join hands over this particular question, and refase to grant to us for the maintenance of our schools what we ourselves contribute to the education funds of the Colony." We commend the action of the West Coast Catholics in making the school question a burning question. Nothing is to be got except by persistent agitation. Respectable Protestants have everywhere a feeling of shame that we are so unkindly treated. Wo have to educate our own children and pay for the free and godless education of other people's children. Our opponents would do well to read a page in the chapter of old Irish history as given in the works of Count de Montalernbert. Speaking of the monasteries of Ireland with their ever-present school-fountains " of knowledge and piety," he says : " They opened their doors, with admirable generosity, to strangers of every country and every condition. Atove all, to those who came from the neighbouring islandEngland ; some to end their lives in an Irish cloister ; some to 5-0 from house to house in search of books, and masters capable of explaining those books. The Irish monks received with kindness guests so greedy for instruction, and gave them both books and masters — the food of the body and the food of the soul — without any recompense. From the seventh to the eleventh century Anglo-SaxoD students flocked into Ireland, and for four hundred years the schools of the island maintained the great reputation which brought so many successive generations to dip deeply there iuto the living waters of knowledge and faith." All this is forgotten by many justice-loving Britishers. In the olden days they were grateful for the Hndness of the children of Erin. Now they are not ashamed to force Catholics to continue the work of helping to educate other people's children. The children of Patrick, scattered through the Empire and English-speak-ing countries, naturally object, after educating their own children, to be compelled, in their poverty, to assist in educating the children of well-to-do people in schools where Christ is banished, and all Catholics join them in opposing a pernicious system in which the spirit of indifference to holy religion reigns supreme.

We have to call the attention of oar friends on the West Coast to the approaching visit to their district of a canvasser and collector from this office — for whom we would bespeak their kind consideration. To seod a representative so far ie, on our part, rather a serious undertaking, and one that involves both incoavenieace and expense. It is. therefore, to as a matter of much importance that be should succeed ia the object of his emnd. He is sent, we need hardly say, for tbe purpose of increasing the circulation of our paper and collecting the subscriptions that are due to us. We depend on all who wish ua well and who desire the prosperity and progress of the New Zbaland Tablet to second bis efforts. A word from our subscribers in tbe district should go far in aiding our representative to swell oar list, and they will greatly facilitate his ohjecr, if, at the same time

they are prepared to meet the accounts with which he will present them. Tne West Coast, however, has always been cne of our chief strongholds and we are confident that it will not now fail us. The interests of the Tablet may be safely trusted to a body of settlers second to none in the British colonies — or an) where else.

On Sunday in St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, the Very liev Father Lynch, Rector, referred to a cablegram received the previous day relative to sacrileges committed in connection with devil-w >rship in Paris. The very rev speaker warned hid hearers against bavins anything to do with spiritism, fortune-tellings or anything of the kind. He said that he himself had once been told his fortune by a rery pious and excellent person. It was, moreover, truly told. Oa each palm of his hands the letter " M " had been pointed out to him, and tbe letters, he was told, stood for the words " Memento Mori." His fortune was to die — and that was the fortune th»t alone might be surely predicted for every one present. Let them keep that truth before them and it wonld serve to preserve them from temp'atioa or danger. Father Lynch added that the condition of things alluded to by the cablegram in question accounted for the strong manner in which the Holy Father had condemned the secret societies, and warned Catholics against them. It was to such ends, he said, thatwhatever might be the honesty and go id intentions of many of its members— Freemasonry tended.

SPIBITISM (says the Brooklyn Catholic Review), is developing into a recognized religion and will shortly rjut on all the trappings of separate congregations. In Baltimore Mrs Rachel Wolcott hs been installed as pastor of the First Spiritualistic Church of that city i and has already a fairly large body of parishioners. Indeed, that devilish deceit is making progress in the Monumental City and has led astray a number of persons who ou»ht to be well instructed Catholics. They havt been misled by the genuine revelations made At seances to take tbe fallen angels for wbat they claim to be — the spirits of the dead — and once admit that they are what they claim and that they are trustworthy in their statements and the end is abandonment of Christianity, the denial of the divinity of Christ, rejection of belief in the orthodox Heaven and Hell, and the acceptance of all the inventions of those children of the Father of Lies.

The time for the drawing of the art-union in aid of the Dominican Convent School building fund is now approaching. But a few weeks remain in which friends of the good work can exert tbemselves to secure its Buccess. A strong last effort on their part is, therefore, earnestly boped for. We may add — d propos of nothing— that his Majesty the Sultan is practising on his divan euch airs and gracee as may best recommen 1 him to an enormous assembly of more civilised people, on his visit to Dunedin, which is also seven days nearer at hand than it was last week. He has no', we solemnly protest, cut off a eirjgle head since he heard of the visit. His Majesty hopes, by means of urbanity mingled with dignity, to gain the applause of all spectators. As to tbe princes who are to meet him — they also are preparing themselves for a fitting display, The dhurbar, at which they are to make their salams to tht ir supreme Sovereign, will be a galaxy of all that is bril iant and magnificent.— Thip. however, has nothing to do with the art-union to wbich we refer. We mention it merely in pasting, The art-union is lo be taken as business first — the dburbar as pleasure afterwards.

On receipt of the intelligence tnat the Agent-General for New Zealand, Sir Weatby B. Perceval, had had the dignity of knighthood conferred upon him, the officers and members of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society unanimously passed and had forwarded to him a resolution of congratulation. By the last mail the secretary of the Society received a reply to their communication, wherein Sir W. B. Perceval sincerely thanked the members for tbeir expression of congratulation and kindly thoughts of him, and stated that be entertained most pleasant recollections of his relations with the Society (ol which he was president prior to his departure). He concluded by wishing it eveiy prosperity.

The Boman Catholic presbytery at Opotiki, now occupied by Father Launazel (say a the Bay of Plenty Times'), is surrounded by quite a good sizjd vineyard, orchard, and tobacco plantation, wherein the rev Father spends his 9pare timg. From last year's crop of the last named be made a handsome and welcome present of some 601bs of excellent tobacco to the Old Men's Home in Auckland.

We publish elsewhere, under the heading " The Strange History of a Mediaeval Manuscript," a paper read by the Very Rev Father Lynch before the Duuedia Catholic Literary Society, on Wednesday evening the 18th inst. The subject is the legend that ascribes to the Irish monk, 8t Brendao, the discovery of America. It is, meantime, interesting to kno*, oa good authority, that whatever may be the credibility due to the legend in question — an Irishman was tbe first member of the expedition under Columbus to set his foot on the •bore of the new world. Tormtori, an Italian ecclesiastic, who, som c

two or three centaries ago, wrote a history of the discovery— narrates that an Irish sailor belonging to the Bhip that first approached the shore, yielding to the noble impetuosity that distinguishes the Celt~ sprang into the sea and reached the land in advance of the others* This Irish sailor, as we know from other sources, hailed from Galway —between which port and Spain, in early times, there was constant communication. A.s to the legend of St Brendan — we refer our reaiers to Father Lynch's very interesting and able paper,

Rowdyism, (says the Catholic Review) continues to be rampant it Cornell, Yale, Rutgers anl other nor-Catholic colleges. The sclents there eviien ly stand in need of moral training.

On Saturday evening, th.3 anniversary of the opening of the Club rooms of th » N. Z Cjmm :rci»l Travellers and Warehousemen's Associatioi was celebraed at tbe rooon in Moray PUce, Dunedin; The celebration took tbe ships of a smoke concert, which was very enjoyably carried out. Mr J, Wilson, President of the society, who acted as chairman, made an address, in which he alluded to the satisfactory progress made by tbe 3lub during the year, speaking highly of the management to which especially he afributed tbe hippy results, that had been obtained. Tha music was well selcc'ed and the performance excellent. A very pleasant evening was spent.

A tine portrait in 0.19 of tha Rev Dr Stuart bas been presented to the Dunedin Girls' High School. The painting is the work of Signor Nerli and doe 3 infinite honour to that gentleman's skill as an artist. The likeness is excellent, the pose easy and natural, and all tbe details of the drapery, the back-ground, and the surroundings are well arranged and admirably worked oat. A? a work of art, independantly of any special interest, the painting is ot great value.

Sib Robebt Stout has been chatting in a whole-hoggish way at Gisborne. In passing by there the other day, we are told, he had a chat with representatives of the local Tempirance League, to whom ac promised a Bill to do away with the bare half majority required at the last, election. Sir Robert added that he did not want Parliament to declare for prohibition. Ha only wants to pat the Colony into the hands of the crarjks, which will be sufficient for all hia pnrposes. We may add. for our own part, that a Bill which Sir Robert Stout will not introduce is a Bill to keep the " wild woman " and their supporters, from annoying voters in the polling booths. Bir Robert is always ready to go the whole-bog, but only in certain directions.

Yesterday (says the Wellington Press of the 16th inst,) was the annual festival of the Rector of St Patrick's College, the Very Sev Dr Watters, and the students took occasion on the conclusion of cUbs on Saturday to present an address. The boys were represented by Masters Eagene Kimbell and Norman Crombie, and the address, wtuch was signed by the students, congratulated the rector on the occasion of tbe ninth anniversary feast-day of the College, and referred to the pleasure which the students felt at having him once more at their hea- 1 , notwithstanding the very many disquieting rumours current during his ab9ence in Ejropa. Reference is made to the loss tbe College had sustainei during the year iv the death of Father Carolan, and to the movement amongst the past students to fitly commemorate his services. The successes of the College in the public examinations and on the athletic field are referred to, and the address concludes :— " Hopeful of the future, and nothing daunted by the loss of so many of our companions of last year, who are already filling postß of trust and honour through the colony, we look forward to another year as glorious in Its endeavours and attainments as any other recorded in the annals of our Alma Mater." Tht religious festival was celebrated yesterday ; to-day the boy s are enjoying a holiday, and to-night there will be a "family concert" amongst the students and professors.

Miss Kate Henry, who for some years had been connected with the choir of 8t Patrick's Church, South Dunedin, where she gave her services as organist as well as singer, was presented last week, on the eve of her marriage, by the Rev Father HuDt, acting on the part of the choir and congregation, with a handsome silver tea service. In making the presentation Father Hunt referred gratefully to the valuable work which Miss Henry had done in forming, training, and keeping tbe choir together. The Very Rev Father Lynch also, on behalf of the choir of St Joseph's Cathedral, where the young lady had likewise taken a part, made ber a handsome present, with an appropriate expression of thanks.

Householdkks at Kensington seem Dearly as lively as tbeir school committee. They have just held a meeting on the committee, at which some very pretty expressions were made* One gentleman, who, almost, should have lived in the times when Moloch was goddeclared he would as soon take his children and throw tbem into the bay as take them to a race course, Another smote his adversary with a prayer. "Mr Loasby : You are not chairmaD, Mr Rae. Mr Rae : I will be chairman some day. Mr Loasby : God help the

school then." And so it went on. Perhaps— if they are not past praying for, as the saying is— we might charitably echo the prayer, for them all, now.

We learn with great regret of the sudden death from heart disease, at Masterton. on Saturday, of Constable Casbion. Deceased, who had been in the foice since 1865, was in every respect estimable and worthy of regard. By his death we lose a good, old friend.— BLP.