Means and Ends of Education

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1895. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. THE HIGHER EDUCATION.1 THE subject which I have been asked to treat is the higher education of priests; which, I suppose, is the highest education of man, since the ideal of the Christian priest is the most exalted, his vocation the most sublime, his office the most holy, his duties the most spiritual, and his mission--whether we consider its relation to morality, which is the basis of individual and social welfare, or to religion, which is the promise and the secret of immortal and godlike life -- is the most important and the most sacred which can be assigned to a human being. Religion and education -- like religion and morality -- are nearly related. Pure religion, indeed, is more than right education; and yet it may be said with truth that it is but a part of the best education, for it co-operates with other forces -- with climate, custom, social conditions, 1 A discourse pronounced at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, which, being enforced by the offer of three hundred thousand dollars by Miss Caldwell, led to the founding of the University at Washington. and political institutions -- to develop and fashion the complete man; and the special instruction of teachers -- which is the narrow meaning of the word -- is modified, and to a great extent controlled, by these powers which work unseen, and are the vital agents that make possible all conscious educational efforts. The faith we hold, the laws we obey, the domestic and social customs to which our thoughts and loves are harmonized, the climate we live in, mould our characters and give to our souls a deeper and more lasting tinge than any school, though it were the best My subject, however, does not demand that I consider these general and silent agencies by which life is influenc...