Teachers of Godless Schools.
It is a well known-fact that the head of the Catholic Church has denounced the common schools of America as godless, and forbidden Catholic parents’ sending their children to them. Strange to say, we find many Catholics among the teachers in these schools. They show a wonderful desire to get the children of Protestants under their influence. “Father Gerdemann” left the priesthood of the Catholic Church, and is now lecturing in Pennsylvania on the corruptions of Romanism. On the subject of public schools he makes the following pertinent remarks:— “How is it that we find so many Catholics engaged as teachers in our public schools when, at the same time, they are forbidden, as immoral, dangerous, and godless, to Catholic pupils? Who can answer? It would seem as bad to act as teacher in a bad system as to be trained under it as a pupil. Secondly, how is it that so many Protestants persist in trusting their children to the academies and colleges in charge of sisters? They undoubtedly are aware that to a great extent those institutions owe their existence to Protestant patronage. They are aware that the sisters, all their professions to the contrary notwithstanding, try in every way to imbue the mind of the Protestant pupil with Romish superstition, and many parents experience to their sorrow what successful proselyters those sisters are. Although the teaching and training in colleges is more thorough and complete than in the parochial schools, still it is by no means so very excellent.” “Why, then, do Protestants insist on furthering Roman influence and endangering the pure faith of their children? Who again will answer? We shall consider ourselves fortunate indeed if by to-night’s remarks we have contributed ever so little in confirming your resolution of ever maintaining the school system with which every true and loyal American is so well satisfied, which we know to be the source of our intelligence, the corner-stone of our liberty.” “Our land is so fair, so rich, so broad; our people are prosperous, free, and happy; the sun never shines on a brighter land, on a freer people. Shall it always shine on a happy land, on a free people?” “We know your answer, and therefore let us be vigilant, let us watch the crafty enemy of human liberty and progress; let us oppose his movements, let every man and party that dares to lay unholy hands on our free schools, our free press, our free conscience, perish, that our nation may live, free, happy, and advancing.” J. H. W., in SIGNS.