The Catholic Congress

New Zealand Tablet, 14 October 1909, Page 1610

The Catholic Congress

PAPERS ON RELIGION, EDUCATION, ART AND SCIENCE

SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS In our last issue we -gave a report of the proceedings - of the Catholic Congress up to Monday evening, September 27. On Tuesday morning the work of the Congress was resumed in the Cardinal's Hall, when papers on educational subjects - were read and discussed. His Grace Archbishop Kelly, who presided, made .some preliminary comments on the subject of education. 'He "claimed thaf religion must enter into a complete education, and that it was best imparted to the student when it permeated all the exercises of education. When he first came to Sydney remarks made by him concerning the public school system were regarded as prompted by hostility to the State schools. Those who took exception to what he said failed to realise that the warfare of the Church against secular education was as the warfare of a physician against disease in his patient. It was not a warfare against- the patient. From the Catholic point of view there- could be no sound education unless efficient religious and secular instruction went hand in hand, and the Church was entitled to press that view upon the community. At a subsequent stage Archbishop Kelly, when making some "observations upon a paper dealing with ' The Christian School and its Teachers,' said it had been recently suggested by a Minister of State — and he had no doubt it was done in all good faith — that some reflections had been cast by the Church upon the teaching body of- the Public schools. If any reflection had been made" it was upon the system, not upon the teachers, than whom he knew of no higher principled body. If the Public schools could be made the instrument of giving the State citizens worthy in every respect it was due, not to' the system, but to the teachers, and to the parents of the children. The Planet Mars. Mr. James Nangle, F.1. A., F.R.A.S., read a paper on the planet Mars. He explained that the paper was intended to show how little was known about the physical phenomena of their very near planetary neighbor. Observations that had been made led to the conclusion the seasons occurred on Mars in much the same sequence as on earth. Close scrutiny had demonstrated that white masses at the poles of Mars decreased as the greenish tinted mass increased in size. That seemed to point to the fact that the white polar mass was ice, and that the green tinted area was an inundation of water. There was very little evidence, and that of the most indirect character, that life, such as that on earth, existed on Mars. Archbishop Delany (Hobart) said they could not fail to be interested in every step in advance made by astronomers, but the premises on which conclusions had been based with respect to Mars were at present very scanty.* The Catholic theologian was qtiite prepared for either answer to the question as to whether Mars was inhabited. Neither an affirmative nor a negative answer would conflict with Catholic philosophy. The field of science to be yet explored without coming in any sense into conflict with their philosophy was immense. The Christian School and its Teachers. ■ A paper prepared by Dr. John Brophy upon" 'The Christian School and its Teachers' was read by Father M. O'Reilly. The author pointed out that the greatest defect in any system of instruction was incompetent instructors. A system could hardly be bad or inadequate when the teachers were capable or competent. For the successful teacher a psychological , insight into personal traits aud peculiarities was of much moment, and. would be rarely wanting where sympathy — the characteristic of the true teacher— was present. It was often said, and probably with a good deal of truth, that much that ' was commended under ' the new education ' had 'little to recommend it beyond being the opinions -of more or less visionary educational reformers. But they could scarcely fail to ibe in agreement with -the importance insistently attached by most modern systems to the value of child study — that the educator should know not only what kind of person the child ought to grow -into under the influences of the school, but also what manner of jperson the pupil is at present. Theory and practice were complementary; they were not different things, but different side's of the same thing. The competent teacher could not neglect _ the. study of method, for a pupil developed and , his • mind became enriched in proportion to his teacher's aptness in imparting his store of inf orWKtion, - and according to his capability to form and fashion his pupil's character. He hoped that the States would at no distant date see the wisdom as well as the justice of making provision for the inspection and examination of the Church schools, and of adequately

remunerating them for the good results they were prepared to guarantee. ART AND EDUCATION.' His Eminence Cardinal Moran presided over the afternoon session at St. Scholastica's, Glebe Point. The grounds of the institution were- gaily decorated with bunting, and elaborate arrangements Jiad been made by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and their pupils for the reception and entertainment of the delegates and others. Before the commencement of the session an addi'ess of welcome was presented to the Cardinal, and greetings were accorded the hierarchy and clergy in the form of a recitation by one of the pupils. Several excellent musical items were rendered by a pupils' choir of about 80 voices. ' Father J. Egan read a paper on ' The Perfection Attained in Art in the Golden Age of Ireland's Piety' by the Dominican Nuns, Cabra, Ireland. The writer stated that Irish art expressed itself best in illuminated manuscripts, sculptured stonework, and metal work, and flourished most from the fifth to the twelfth century. Towards the end of the last-named century, marks of .decline became distinctly noticeable, and this decline continued, so that the previous high plane was never regained. At its best, the art of Ireland, especially in the matter of illumination, was marked by remarkable refinement, extreme delicacy, and a marvellous minuteness of detail. The Rev. A. J. Hogan read a paper on ' The Study of History in our Schools.' He said that Catholics were defending a great principle in building and conducting their own schools. They had built up a system of education equal in every particular to that raised under the wealthy patronage of the State. The severest, part of • the struggle was now over, and their chief care was to keep the schools abreast of the times. The change most needed at present was a series of well-graded text-books written on Catholic lines. This was especially so in regard to history. The books now in use, though they strove to be neutral, in many instances contained matter that was offensive to Catholic ears. The history taught should have a much wider view than events which concerned England only. The main object of history lessons in schools was to encourage a taste for historic reading, and two of the greatest factors of success in this branch of education were the foundation of a good library and the most diligent and specialising study on the part of the teachers. Mr. James N angle, F.1. A., read a practical paper on ' The Construction and Equipment of Schools,' in which he laid especial stress on the need for adequate space, lighting, and ventilation. His Lordship Bishop Higgins said that if the system of history teaching outlined* by Father Hogan could be carried" out, and they could secure text-books written on Catholic lines, the results must be of the most satisfactory character. Referring to Mr. Nangle's paper, he said that he had always thought thalt the Victorian Health Board, to * which he had had to submit many plans for schools, was unnecessarily harsh in its demands, but this paper had converted him to a more lenient view of their methods. The Very Rev. Father Donohue (Hamilton) said that it was truly said that many of the wild schemes of education of to-day only showed the wisdom of the old ideas. There were too many fantastic ideas that endangered the sound teaching of reading, writing, and arithmetic. His Eminence Cardinal Moran said that he would have liked to see Father Hogan lay more stress on the teaching of Irish history. They could have too much about the King Johns and King Stephens of England. His idea of history was to present to them the great achievements of the past, that they might be their ideals of the future, and he thought there were no higher ideals in all history than those embodied in the golden age of Ireland and afterwards in the severe days of her martyrdom. Father Egan's paper had shown to what a high plane Ireland had risen in the matter of art. He thought Australia was marked out in certain ways to attain the same ideals as - Ireland. He wished to see Australia become a conti- • nent remarkable for such ideals of its own ,and he would like .to "see people coming here from Japan, China, the Philippines,, and even the farthest of the United States, to drink from the founts of wisdom which their devoted Brothers and Sisters were 'making available. SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSES. The Lane Cove River steamers carried a large number of people up to St. Ignatius' College, Riverview, where one of the sessions of the, afternoon was held, with Mr. John Hughes, M.L.C., as president. The papers presented were under the main heading of ' Science and Educa- , tion. 1 Professor David had pride of place with one entitled ' The Science of Scenery. '' He made his applicationmostly local. The Rev. A. L. Cor tie, 1 professor of "science at the college, had for the subject of a technical reading ' Notes on Australian Seismology,' in which he- dealt exhaustively with the history of earthquake shocks throughout the land. ' His Grace Archbishop Redwood expressed his pleasure at hearing this interesting essay, and mentioned the precautions that were to be taken in the erection of a new " Cathedral at Wellington.

The enemies of v the Catholic Church are never weary of declaring that she is opposed to all progres" in natural science because her dogmas and theologieS systln Zes ' f" 117 vw npor th % intellect ™l freedom and devdopLent of - her children, and because the credentials on which she bases her claims to a reasoned asseiit as a- preliminary to faith are founded on proofs which are^ unscientific, in that they lack the necessary foundations of scientific assent . observation, and experiment.' Thus commenced a paper Sude o/ SS ?r £ h °°I tle ' which dealt- with the attitude or the Church towards natural science. He affirmed that even in scientific matters progress would be better achieved if the teaching and guidance of the Church follwed IloWnby her accredl >d agents, were obediently , Some notes on the progress'of modern astronomy, with, special reference to conspicuous contributions by the Catholic priesthood, were to have been read from a paper by Mr. Baracchi, Government Astronomer of Victoria The „ previous readings, however, had absorbed nearly all the time of the session, and the audience had to be content with a few extracts read by Dr. Kenny," of Melbourne. HISTORY AND LITERATURE. TV i At the evening session held in St. Mary's Hall, the Bishop of Goulburn presided. Cardinal Moran presented a paper (read by Father Barry) entitled, ' Ireland, , the Island of .Saints. A Vindication.' The essay quoted numerous authorities to show that Erin was oft spoken and written about as Insula Sanctorum from the time the classic tradition, 'to all appearances dead in Europe' burst out into full bloom in it, and the Renaissance began there— 7oo years before it was known in Italy. Protestant writers, he called upon to testify that, although ever ready to find fault with Irish sanctity, they felt themselves constrained to confess that all antiquity awarded Ireland the title. „ xi Judge Hevdon sent a paper on 'Francis Thompson, Catholic and Poet,' a bard who died in 1907 ' A Glimpse of Fiji,' by the Rev. Dr. Burke, closed, the session. Bishop Norton presided at. a meeting of young men in the Chapter-house, when papers were read on the following subjects : — ' Necessity for a Catholic Young Men's Association,' 'History of the Catholic Young Men's' Societies' Federation,' and ' Catholic Clubs.' A LESSON FROM HOLLAND. During the sittings of the Congress on Monday Cardinal Moran announced that he proposed to bring under the notice of Congress suggestions for so -amending the primary system of education in New South Wales as to harmonise the methods followed in the Public and Church schools. He thought that the system adopted by the Government of Holland to meet the requirements of Dutch Catholics might well be introduced into New South Wales and the other States of the Commonwealth. At Tuesday morning's sitting of Congress Cardinal Moran made available details of his suggested alteration in the school system to meet the requirements of the Catholic commmunity. They are as follow : — 1. In Holland there is a uniform and compulsory system for all the Dutch provinces, and the State system is practically secular. 2. The erection and maintenance of the Government schools devolve on the communes; that would be our municipalities and shires. Payment" of teachers and expenses of administration devolve on the Government. 3. For the erection of schools the Government contributes one-fourth, the municipalities three-fourths. 4. The new arrangements to meet the Catholic requirements would be — (a) When 20 heads of families in any district agree to demand a "denominational schoool their request must be acceeded to, although other State or private schools may already exist in the locality.' (b) Such denominational schools receive the same amount of Government aid for erection as the State schools, i.e., one-fourth of the outlay, but it is spread over a certain number of years, say five years, "(c) Teachers in" denominational schools are on the same footing as in the State schools as regards salary,- • pension, etc. {d) The salaries' in all schools are fixed by law, the amount varying with the grade of the schoool and the number "of students. (c) Government inspection fixes the grade of each school according to the standard attained by the children. ' (f) Teachers for .any branches not fixed by the State must be paid from private, sources. (g) The original applicants appoint a committee, of which .^he local pastor is always president. Should a vacancy in the committee occur, the existing members elect a successor. (h) The committee are the legal owners of the school, '■and on them devolves- the presenting of teachers' for appointment and dismissal. The president of the committee is the'actinj; manager. THIRD DAY The third day's) work in connection with the- Catholic Congress (says the Sydney Morning Herald) was entered upon in St. Mary's Hall on Wednesday, September 29. His Grace Archbishop Redwood presided, and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors present.

EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. His Grace read portions of a paper prepared by Mm with the<;object -of giving a general survey of the evidences of Christianity. Dealing first with natural religion/ and then with revealed religion, he outlined the various stages of development of the religious instinct during the 4000 years preceding the birth of Christ, and indicated the proofs of the faith on which Catholicism was built. The Bishop of Bathurst (Dr. Dunne) said-the paper was one of exceeding value to the honest seeker after truth, whether inside or outside the Church, and he suggested that it be printed" in -pamphlet form, and distributed broadcast. - Archbishop Redwood said he proposed to have the paper printed separately for the Catholic Truth Society. The Bishop of Port Augusta (Dr. Norton) remarked that the sons -and daughters of the Catholic Church were so well-grounded in their faith that they hardly stood in need of further .proofs such as those dealt with in. the paper. Still, there were many, both within and 'without the Church, to whom the origin of divine revelation must be a subject of the greatest interest. It was well to have these proofs fully dealt with, and in doing so in a popular way it seemed to him that Archbishop Redwood had' done excellent service in the cause of religion. He had put plain proofs in a plain way. THE ETJCHARISTIC LEAGUE. ' ~~ A paper prepared by Dr. Dwyer (Bishop of Maitland) on ' The Eucharistic League : Its' Establishment in Australia,' was read by Father Donohue. The paper traced the origin and development of the Eucharistic League, and suggested the establishment of a branch in Australia in th« interests chiefly of the priests of the Church. ' Archbishop Delany (Hobart) questioned the wisdom of the multiplication of leagues and orders. He pointed out that in France, during the last 70 years, more new orders, and congregations, and leagues had been produced than in the rest of Christendom, but it was not iiv France that thej found the best results of Church work. In Germany, where they knew far less of the organisation of new leagues, the results were better. SOME DANGERS AND DIFFICULTIES. The Rev. P. Dowling contributed a paper on ' Somt Dangers and Difficulties of Australian Catholics.' He reas oned that there were three main dangers that the Catholi* should be on guard against : Indifferentism in religion, in fidelity, and want of the true Catholic spirit in home life Much of the daily life of Catholic young men was spen^ among companions who were indifferent what church the> attended so long as the preacher was effective and th< music good. In association of this kind there was a dange: of the idea taking root that one religion was as good a; another, a proposition that to the Catholic was inadmis sible, for it tended in the direction 6f indifferentism Other dangers were to be found in rationalistic literature in the deluge of anti-Christian thought, and in the repeti tion of calumnies against the Church which had been re futed time and again. The remedy against these dan gerous tendencies lay in the direction of the developmen of Catholic societies where young men, not necessarily be longing to the Church, would find pleasure and profit th< pursuit of various forms "~of recreation and social ''inter course. There was not time .to finish the reading of thi paper. CATHOLIC SOCIETY FEDERATION. At St. "Vincent's Industrial Home for Boys a sessioi was held in the afternoon, under the presidency of Bisho] Murray, of Cooktown, Queensland. The Rev. M. P. -Malone urged in a paper entitle) 1 Organised Catholic Energy ' the federation of the Cath olic societies in Australia for the protection of the interest of the Church — the need for a bond of common unity t place Catholics in their true light. He referred speciall; to the success of tlie movement in America. In the short debate that followed Mr. Casey questions whether congresses of the kind now being held would pre duce any benefit by having discussions on art, science, an literature, in view of the needs of the Catholic communitj and he pressed for the adoption of some practical resok tions as the outcome of the meetings. The work of the St. Vincent de Paul Societies i Christchurch and Wellington was related in two papers one by Mr. J. J. Wilson, of Christchurch, and the secon by the Rev: Charles Yenning, -of Wellington. , The Rev. Alexander May, of Victoria, sent one dealin with Catholic missions to seamen., pointing out the dii abilities of dealing with mariners belonging to the fait! owing to the want of some organisation, and suggestin that 'action should be taken. It was claimed that 50 pc cent, of the crews of vessels coining to Australia wet Catholics. In a paper tabled on behalf of Mr. T. D. Ryan, thei was proposed a scheme for the establishment of a ' Catholi Charities Assopi.ation,' to be managed by the Bishopi Each State would be equipped with its own associatio first, after which federation could be brought about. Eac Bishop would call a special meeting of his clergy to aj

prove the plan, and to each priest in charge of the Bishops would be delegated the duty of 'establishing the association. EDUCATING THE GIRL. Cardinal Moran presided at the afternoon session at the Sacred Heart Convent, Rose Bay. There was a very large- attendance of clergy and laity, and prior to the opening of the session an illuminated address was presented the Cardinal from the pupils of the convent, together' with " a handsome donation towards the additions to ' St. Mary's Cathedral, enclosed in a casket in the form of a shamrock leaf. ~The latter presentation was made by one little pupil arrayed to represent St. Patrick. Miss Teresa* Magner read a paper on ' The Training of the Australian Girl,' in which'she declared that the main aim of the teacher should be to train the reason and conscience in such a way that the girl could get her -sentiment under control. This subservience of sentiment was essential, because a woman was always guided more] by her heart than by her head. The teaching of religion must be of the very best, because of its vast importance in moulding character. ' ' "^ Dr. Kenny read a paper by the Dominican Nuns, Strathfield, entitled ' Thoughts on the Education of Girls/ in which stress was laid on the view that whereas by all means girls should be encouraged to work hard at their • allotted tasks, they should, at the same time have the principles of faith and religion inculcated in them. In the case of most girls it was essential that their thoughts should be bent upon work in order to counteract the morbid taste for excitement that marked the characters of so many. The teaching of ' lessons ' by jao means encompassed the whole of the education that should be imparted to a girl at school, and the writers emphasised the need for attention - being given to domestic economy, order, neatness, and consideration for the wants and- feelings of others, and, above allj needlework should be encouraged. Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.L.C., read a paper by, the Sacred Heart Nuns, Rose Bay, upon ' Tlie Value of History in Education,' in which it was shown that, properly taught, ■,the greatest value of history was in the training" it gave the mind and the formative effect it had upon • character. His Grace Archbishop Redwood said that of all religions the only one that was really historical was Catholicism, and nothing was more important for a Christian than that he should be thoroughly acquainted with the - facts of Christian history. ' ■*■ His Eminence Cardinal Moran, speaking in reference to Miss Magner's paper, urged the desirability of having organised games in their schools. /That was admirably carried out at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, for they had excellent arrangements there. Some -of the Governors of the State had_told him that in the .course of their evening drives along -this picturesque road they had often stopped by the "way to watch' the beautiful games carried out by the pupils of the convent. He jwanted to £cc wellorganised .games in all the primary schools. A MESSAGE FROM THE POPE. His Eminence Cardinal Moran announced at Jhe session of Congress at the Convent of the Sacred Heart that he, had that day~ received the following cablegram from -his Holiness the Pope," in reply to "the message of greeting forwarded from ijhe< Congress: 'The Holy Father most cordially imparts to the Catholics of Australasia assembled in the third Australasian Congress his apostolic blessing, as an earnest of Divine assistance, and heartily wishes the Congress every success.' THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL. The Australian Silver Jubilee of Cardinal Moran was celebrated in the evening at a festival concert at the Town Hall, and when his Eminence, accompanied by various ecclesiastical dignitaries, arrived upon the bright, animated scene, it was to find the vast auditorium thronged in every part, the front of the platform beautifully decorated with .lilies, double-daffodils, and roses, and garlands of evergreens suspended in radiating lines from the lofty roof. - The festival- programme, formidable as to length, was still further extended by encores, and by the delay arising from the exuberant enthusiasm of a popular "o'c- v casion, with the result that it was after 11 o'clock before the final number was reached. However, some of the artists, both of the Amy Castles and the IKate Rooney concertparties assisted, a combination which ensured a most enjoyable evening, and the choral and orchestral numbers were also appreciated. . FOURTH DAY The Right Rev. Dr. Higgins, Bishop of Ballarat, presided in St. Mary's Hall at Thursday's session of the "Congress. _ His Grace Archbishop Kelly read • a paper entitled •„ ' Devotion to the Virgin Mother of the Saviour,. Illustrated from the Catacombs.' His Grace, said that only through - Mary had we. attained to a knowledge of. the Redeemer - as the True God" and the True Man. As the Son He was buried in the Holy Sepulchre. As her Son He ascended - on high to the right hand of God." As her Son He sent the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. And as her Son He - would come to judge the world at the, end of , time. The

Public Instruction Department had a training college for teachers, and put into the hands of its students, a volume of English literature written by Carlyle, entitled Heroes, Hero Worship, and Heroes in History. -Pages 186 and 192 contained matter highly offensive to Catholics, and attacked their faith. It. destroyed absolutely , the boast that there was a. benevolent neutrality vi religious instruction. In those pages they found ' a doctrine condemned fifteen centuries ago, and destructive to the faith in our Redeemer, brought insidiously before the future teachers of our primary schools.' It was an abuse of the public school system. Would the Government sanction a similar attack on the Crown? . In the debate which followed it was held that Catholics should not rest till the offensive literature was withdrawn from the schools. It was held to be ' scandalous ' that Catholics should have to contribute taxes to a system which ' attacked their religion.' Rev. Father W. Barry read a paper by Monsignor O'Riordan, Rector of the Irish College, Rome. The paper was on rationalism and agnosticism. Incidentally it stated that the Catholic Church had lasted through many centuries, and passed through many storms. Rationalism and modernism were but--a new gust of the old tempest, which would not damage the truths upon which the Catholic Church was established. Archbishop Delany (Hobart) said modernises interpreted a true position in a wrong sense. The Church was not afraid of the proved results of scientific investigation. Modernism was not founded on the Bible at all, but based 011 an amalgamation of philosophical systems. Mr. Donaldson, M.L.A., contributed a paper entitled ' The Aborigines : 4 Past, Present, and Future.' THE CHURCH, AND SOCIALISM. The afternoon session was held at St. Patrick's College, Manly, Cardinal Moran presiding. As at the morning session, science and religion formed the chief basis of discussion. ' The Catholic Church at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century ' was the subject of a paper contributed by Professor MacCaffery, of Maynobth College, Ireland, and read by one of the college students. The writer commented on the advance of Socialism in the nineteenth cenI tury, and claimed that the Catholic Church had been an effective agent in checking it. Modern machinery and \inlimited competition had brought about a complete change in social conditions. Workmen^ driven by bad treatment, had gone to the other extreme, attacked the ownership of I property, and proposed to transfer all the means of proI auction, distribution, and supply to the State. The CathI olic Church had always endeavored to steer a middle I course by safeguarding the right" of property and ensuring I fair treatment to the workers. Socialist leaders had I labored with but little success in countries where Catholic I immigrants had settled in any considerable numbers. I A paper was read by Professor Hayden (St. Patrick's I College), who gave it the title ' Modernism as Condemned I by the Chufch.' I Another paper was read by the Rev. Patrick J. I Sheehy, who took for his subject ' The Popes and Science.' I It was a reply to the attacks on Catholicism, which allege I its opposition to study in scientific research. Air these I charges were so intemperate that they contained their own I refutation. The advancement of luimanity and the -inI ierests of human culture had ever been foremost in the ' I minds of the series of Roman Pontiffs. There was no I branch of literature, culture, or science in the Middle Ages I in which the Papacy did not lead. I The only other paper was by the Rev. T. Maguire, I entitled ' The Soul of the Pioneer.' The keynote was" I that the mission of the Catholic Church in Australia was H the conversion of Australia. I Cardinal Moran briefly complimented the contributors H of the papers. ■ SOCIAL UNREST. I His Grace Archbishop Delany presided at the afternoon H session at the Christian Brothers' Training College, StrathH field, which was largely attended by both clergy arid laity. H The president read a paper on ' The Chief Factors in H Sociology.' . He J asked what was the meaning of 'to-day's. H social unrest. Never before had the total amount of difH fused wealth in the -world been so great; never had educaHtion been so general ; never had the triumphs of science been Hso great; and all men were equal on the political platform, still the gravest unrest was abroad. Not only was nation set against nation, bui^class was set against class, every nation was fighting against itself. What, had the progress 'of to-day meant for the masses ? The exercise the franchise had not raised the toiler of to-day above predecessor, whatever politicians on the hustings would to have him believe. There was ' religiosity ' everybut live religious faith was being stifled by the bad' of the ruling classes and the growth of unchecked He showed that initiative Avas" man's .inalienable - and private ownership a logical thing. Individual family relations,' and the right of men to form for mutual aid should all be above the State. chief function of the ' State was to protect life and from unjust encroachments, whether at home or abroad, and to facilitate the expansion of the in-

dividual initiative. -But over-reaching individualism was a baneful thing. The danger of to-day was hot so much from kings or thrones as from kings of commerce and finance. The Church sought to defend the individual from the encroachments of the State, 'but she also sought to defend him from the over-reaching individual. If the message of the Church fell on deaf ears, then exaggerated individualism would become such as would lead to disaster. He, however, did not apprehend any serious cataclysm, from contemporary unrest. -If it were possible to dislodge God from conscience— and they were aware that not a few men .of leading strove towards such a consummation — then no doubt there would be a catastrophe unequalled in history. He thought it would be found that the serious menace of to-day would lead to a purer, more diligent,- more ,wideembracing system in law and . administration, and a- spirit of national solicitude which would readily admit the Catholic idea of society suggested in the description of the Cluirch as ' Christ's mystic body.' Such an idea involved trust and mutual concern; it corrected the crude conceptions of equality afloat since the eighteenth century. It warned high and low alike that they were not selfsufficing. It showed that the health of the parts was indispensable to the health' of the whole. In that idea lay ' the healing of the nations, and it was their gift and business to make it widely known. A paper by ' A Christian Brother ' on ' The. Nature, Aim, and Methods -of Religious Education V was read. The writer contended fliat the main aim of religious education - Avas threefold — first, to impress the great truths of religion upon the youthful mind, and to direct the plastic wills in spiritual matters; secondly^ to move the hearts of the* children to a sincere love of God; and, thirdly, to, cultivate good habits, right rules of conduct, and a high moral character. ■ ~ - a LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. The Bishop of Wilcannia presided at the evening ses- . sion in St. Mary's Hall. . " . Rev. Dr. Cleary read a paper on 'The National University of Ireland,' by Mr. Robert Donovan (secretary ;to the University). The writer declared that the Irish University question was 600 years old. The battle of the nation and the battle for the faith were one and the same. - For two centuries the Irish "'people were denied all opportunities - of education in their- own land. He then traced various incidents leading up to the better conditions of the present day. The Irish Bishops had fought a national as well as " a religious battle,. After centuries of political oppression; Ireland was beginning to get political liberty. ' " The remaining papers were somewhat abstruse. Alderman J. Lane Mullins lectured on ' Art Under the Roman, Emperors, as Shown on Contemporary Coins and Medals:' Mr. Charles H. Mulholland's paper was $ named ' Notes on Some Modern Concepts in General Physics.' A special session was held in the Chapter Hall by thoso interested in~ Catholic benefit societies.