"HEARTLESS, HEADLESS, GODLESS."

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 27 July 1894, Page 17

"HEARTLESS, HEADLESS, GODLESS."

Thus was the system of purely secular schools aptly styled by Rev Father Kennerney, who pivached the occasional sermon at the laying of the foundation-stone of a parish school in Middletown, Conn., U.^., aome years ago. Heartlest, hfadbss, godless it was in America; heartless, headless, and <]i>dleßs it is ia New Zealand ; heartless, headless, and 'jodlt nx it will be wherever established. The unanimity of political sciolists and self-seekers who impose on the thoughtless multitude has its striking counterpart in the union of great minds in every land on the great question of the necessity of religious education. The apothegm of the zealous American priest is readily illustrated by the sayings of notable statesmen of various nationalities. GLADSTONE, now in the late autumn of his life, never earned so well tbe epithet of the Grand Old Man as when, with full knowledge of the historic past and clear vision of the future, he said : " Every system which places religion in the background is pernicious." His one-time great Tory opponent, DISRAELI, who, as the Premier of England, commanded in his utterances the greatest respect, said :—: — " / am not disposed to believe that there is any existing Government that can long prevail founded on the neglect to supply or regulate religious instruction of the people." It is notorious that our public schools, while they sedulously cultivate the intellect, neglect the moulding of character and the training of heart. HUXLEY roalised this whon he said : "If I am a knave or a fool , reading or ivriting will not make vie less so."

Passing over to the sister country where incipient revolution and present spirit of anarchy are the deplorable results of neglected religious training, we are told by the great French historian, GUIZOT, "In order fn make education fruit/ good and socially usefal, it must be fundamental!}/ religions. National education 7iwst be given and received in the midst of an atmosphere religious. Religion is not a stud?/ or an c rercise to be restricted to a certain place or hour. It ?> a faith and a law which ought tv bt felt everywhere" France, through its secular, infidel legislators, has banished God from the schools of a Christian nation. It is reaping a fairly ripe crop of anarchy and social disorder. THIERS, the Prime Minister, had far-seeing vision when, in his report to the Corps Legislatif, he said : " We must make education more religious than it has been up to the present moment. We must put it upon its former basis ; and, if we do not, I tremble for the future of Franc { ," Before his execution the famous character, ROBESPIERRE, said :—": — " The Republic can only be established upon the eternal basis of morality." The great emperor and leader of men, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, said that " Society without religion is like a ship without a rudder, uncertain iifhither it is going." VICTOR COUSIN, the French philosopher, in an address before the Chamber of Paris, gave it as his opinion that :—: — " Any system of school training which sharpened and strengthened all the intellectual powers without, at the same time affording a source of restraint and ccunti r check to their tendency to evil by siqyplying moral culture and religious principle, ivas a curse rather than a bltssing" DE TOCQUEVILLE had, vrithout doubt, ieligious schools in his mind when he said :—": — " Despotism may govern without fath, but liberty cannot." DANIEL WEBSTER pertinently asks :—": — " In what age, by what sett, where, ivhen, by rohom has religious truth bt en excluded from the education of youth ? Nowhere, never. Everywhere and at all tinted it has been regarded as tssent/al. If is of the essence, the vitality of useful instruction." In an address on " Religion and the State," delivered April 19, lyyG, before the Congregational Club of Mew York, we find the apposite words spoken by a member of N.L.P.A.1., REV JAMES M. KING, D.D. " Stcularised education is a misnomer ; it is no education at all. Never before ha* the attempt betii made. The verdict of mankind in every age, under evert) civilisation, i? against a:' The educational sciolists of New Zealand would do well to listen to the Minister of Public Instruction of the German Empire, HER It VON PUTTKAMER. " / am convinced that on the day on which we cease to vial c the saving teachings of the Gospel the basis of education the fall of our national civihstd life will be inevitable." We notice that up to the present our legislators in Wellington have not touched the question of the religious education of the people. That .which deeply affects the great minds of European and American thinkers does not seem to trouble the intellects of our New Zealand lawmakers. The " appointment of the Sergeant-at-Arms," the " cutting of a trumpery fire-hose," and the " publication of the Fox letter '' receive the nightly attention of a trivial House, while not a moment's consideration is sought for or given to a question which a large proportion of the nations look upon as of vital importance. Are our members honest legislators or political triflers ?

The condition of the Moat Rev Dr Moran remains without much change. The unexpected rallies made by him previously from conditions apparently as extreme, alone seem to justify any hope of even a passing amendment.

The Very Her Father Walsh, while returning last Friday night to Westport from Charleston, where he had gone on a Bick c ill, was thrown from his horse, His foot was caught m the stirrup, and released only when the plunging of the horse made the leather slip, and hi 9 ankle was severely sprained. Tbe very rev gentleman waa left belplefs on tbe road, where fortunately he was found by Mr Phi'ip McKnroo, in returning home from Wastport. Father Walshi notwithstanding- the paia from whica he was suffering, celebrated Mass on Sunday, aad, we ore glad to learn, continues to make favourably pro^rfsa tow mis recovery.

A double weddiDg (6aye the Taieri Advocate of the 21 inst) was celebrated at St Mary's Church at Mosgiel last Wednesday, when Miss Tikey, of Faiifield, was united in marriage to Mr Blaney, and Miss Kovaliski, of Greytown, was married to Mr Knudson. The ceremony was performed by the Rev Father O'Neill, who was aßsisied bj Father Ryan. After the ceremony Father O'Neill found himself placed in a dilemma. Ho had won a handsome wedding cake at ibe carnival recently held in Mosgie l , and promised it to the first couple who came before him to be made man and wife. Bat tbe Bey Father did not Tcckon on there being two claimants, and he was nonplussed for tbe nonce. It was not for long, however. He suidenly bethought himself of the judgment of Solomon, and treat. ing the cake as the wise man did the child, he ordered it to be cat in twain. This was done, and those who attended the wedding were each presen'ed with a piece of cake, a course which all present appeared to thoroughly approve of.

The Vincentian Fatheis commenced a mission at Petone on Sunday.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Westport Branch, Irish National Federation (says the Westport Times of the 19th inst), was held in St Canice's schoolroom on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance of members. Mr James presided. After the ordinary business was concluded an excellent programme of songs, reci» tations, reading?, etc , was gone through, the following gentlemen contributing .—Messrs James, M'Connell, Calnon, Byder, and Joa ph Sherlock. A good programme is being prepared for next meeting.

Wednesday, July 11, being the recurring anniversary of Mon« sigr.oro McDonald's birthday (fays the Auckland Herald, of the 13th inst), the pnpils of St Patrick's school. Panmure, marked the occasion by giving a very enjoyable entertainment. A considerable number of parents and friends were present, and united with the children in wishing many happy returns of the day to the Monsignor p , who was the recipient of some pretty and useful souvenirs. A well-worded address was read by Miss KJla Dunn, to which Father Walter replied in very feeling and gratefol terms. As usual he was thoughtful enough to provide an abundance of those things which children are food of.

The third monthly social gathering of the members of the League of the Cross (says the Wellington Post of the 18th inst) was held in St Patrick's Hall last evening. It was the bast of the Beries ami the ball was packed to the doors. The concert opened with an address by the Bey Father Goggan, presideat, after which the following items were given : — Piano solo, Miss Kearsley ; recita'ion, " Tbe Reception," Mr W. Haybittle (who gave as an encore item " Ooster Bill ") ; sonp, " Heaven and eaith," Mibs L. M'Donald ; song, " Steer my bark to Krin'a Isle," Miss Rigs;; song, •' The mighty deep," Mr Coltman (encored) ; song, " The ship is in the bay," Miss Maud Leahy (who sang when encored "Little Nell and I.") The singing of this little performer was excellent, and she was heartily applauded • Then followed an address on " Temperance " by the Very Rev Father Dawson. The remaining items were as follows: — Vocal duet, " Charity," Misses Segrief ; a reading on " Wellington Weather" by Mr J. Driscoll ; soDg, "Mo'her ia all alone to-nigbt," Miss Agnes Sandbrook ; eoog, " TLe Miner," Mr Coltman ; song, " Ora Pro Nobis," Miss C. Segrief ; comic soog, " The amateur actors," Mr W. Haybittle (who had again to submit to an encore). A vote of thanks was accorded to the Very Rev Father Dawson, and to tbe ladies and gentlemen who had assisted. The League is incrtasing rapidly in numbers, and several prizes are to be given to the members who induce others to join. They include two gold crosses, one guinea's worth of music, and a book.

Rev P. O'Reilly, for the past 16 years parish priest at Thames New Zealand, is at present on a viait to Cobargo. The rev gentle* man, whose health was seriously impaired after 29 years continuous missionary service both amongst the whites and Maoris, was advised by his medical attendant to take rent sod change. We (Cobargo Watch) hope our salubrious climate will soon restore him to perfect health.

The: half-yearly meeting of the Juvenile Branch of the Hibsrnian Society (says the Wellington Post of the 19th in9t) was hold in Rt Patrick's Hill last night. Bro. .) . Hylnni occupied the chair, Three new members were proposed for initiation. Officers for the ensuing term were elected em follow 3• — V.ce- President, Brother T. Leydon ; secretary, Brother D. Kelly ; treasurer, Brother M. Ellis ; warden, Brother D, Smith ; guardian, Brother W. Gosling ; sick visitors, Brothers J. Smith and J. Conrick. A hearty vote of thanks waa accorded by acclamition to Brother J. Hyland for the able and attentive manner in whi?h he bad presided at the meetings during the l»st twelve monthp, and for the great interest he had taken in the affairs of the Society.

Some of our Dunedio townsmen have made arrangements to give a joyous vent to their pa'notic spirit by holding annually an Irish ball. The first of the seriea is to take place at the City Hall on August 3, and is expected to provj n very brilliant event.