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duty to the Catholic community whose religious interests are entrusted to my guardianship, prompt me to submit respectfully to your consideration, the conscientious objections of Catholics to the actual regulations of the public schools.

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Among them, I am informed, one is, that the teachers shall read, and cause to be read, the bible; by which is understood the version published by command of King James. To this regulation we are forced to object, inasmuch as Catholic children are thus led to view as authoritative, a version which is rejected by the Church. It is not expected that I should state in detail the reasons of this rejection, I shall only say, that we are persuaded that several books of divine scripture are wanted in that version, and that the meaning of the original text is not faithfully expressed. It is not incumbent on us to prove either position, since we do not ask you to adopt the Catholic version for general use: but we feel warranted in claiming that our conscientious scruples to recognize or use the other be respected. In Baltimore the directors of the public schools have thought it their duty to provide Catholic children with the Catholic version. Is it too much for us to expect the same measure of justice?

"The consciences of Catholics are also embarrassed by the mode of opening and closing the school exercises, which, I understand, is by singing some hymn, or by prayer. It is not consistent with the laws and discipline of the Catholic Church for their members to unite in religious exercises with those who are not of her communion. We offer up prayers and supplications to God for all men ; we embrace all in the sincerity of Christian affection; but we confine the marks of religious brotherhood to those who are of the household of the faith. Under the influence of this conscientious scruple, we ask that Catholic children be not required to join in the singing of hymns or other religious exercise.

"I have been assured that several of the books used in the public schools, and still more those contained in the libraries attached to them, contain misrepresentations of our tenets, and statements to our prejudice, equally groundless and injurious. It is but just to expect that the books used in the schools shall contain no offensive matter, and that books decidedly hostile to our faith, shall not, under any pretext, be placed in the hands of Catholic children.

"The school law which provides that 'the religious predilections of the parents shall be respected,' was evidently framed in the spirit of our constitution, which holds the rights of con

science to be inviolable. Public education should be conducted on principles which will afford its advantages to all classes of the community, without detriment to their religious convictions. Religious liberty must be especially guarded in children, who, of themselves, are unable to guard against the wiles or assaults of others. I appeal, then, gentlemen, with confidence, to your justice, that the regulations of the schools may be modified, so as to give to Catholic pupils and teachers equal rights without wounding tender consciences.

"For my interposition in this matter, besides the responsibility of my station, I have specially to plead the assurance I have received from a respectable source, that some desire had been expressed to know distinctly from me, what modifications Catholics desire in the school system. It was also suggested that an appeal of this kind would receive every just consideration from the board; and would anticipate effectually the danger of public excitement on a point on which the community is justly sensitive-the sacred rights of conscience.

"With great respect, I remain, gentlemen,
"Your obedient servant,
"FRANCIS PATRICK,

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Bishop of Philadelphia.” "PHILADELPHIA, 14th Nov., 1842."

The foregoing application by Dr. Kenrick resulted in the adoption of the following resolutions by the Board of Comptrollers of the Public Schools:

"Resolved, That no children be required to attend or unite in the reading of the Bible in the public schools whose parents are conscientiously opposed thereto.

“ Resolved, That those children whose parents conscientiously prefer and desire any particular version of the Bible, without note or comment, be furnished with the same."-U. S. Gazette.

AMERICAN PHILO-ITALIAN SOCIETY." A society under this name, whose object is the dissemination of useful knowledge in Italy, has recently been formed in the city of New York."

"We are to furnish printed instruction, Bibles, tracts, and well-written essays, statistics, and useful information, and some school-books, and other helps, for the correct and competent education of their children in Italy, and also 'among the Italians,' emigrants and exiles in other places."

"In one respect, this society is widely different from the Protestant Association, though designed to bear ultimately upon the same great interests. The Protestant Association is defen

sive: it is designed to unite all Protestants in the defence of the great principles of the Reformation-in renewing their solemn PROTEST against the corruptions of Popery. The PhiloItalian Society is aggressive in its designs, it proposes to carry Protestant principles into the central dominions of Popery, and to plant them around the very throne of him who wears the triple crown, and claims to be universal bishop."

We copy this precious item of information from the Episcopal Recorder of January 28th. Among those who are acquainted with the real condition of Italy, and with the fact that there is more learning and useful knowledge in one little corner of Rome, than in the whole congregation of the Philo-Italian Society and its emissaries together, the announcement of such an association will be a source of infinite amusement; but among intelligent Protestants, who see the fabric of the Reformation every where in a tottering state, this news will no doubt excite a profound

regret that the advocates of the anticatholic sects do not attend to the cries of distress among themselves, before they undertake to offer relief where it is not wanted.

OBITUARY.

Died, on the 3d of last January, at St. Mary's Theological Seminary, Baltimore, in the 24th year of his age, Mr. Alexander A. Calder, of Glasgow, Scotland.

At the House of our Lady of Mercy, Charles. ton, S. C. on the 3d January, of consumption, Sister Mary Joseph (O'Gorman), aged forty-six years. The deceased was a native of Cork, Ireland, and was one of the oldest members of the very useful community in which she died, and its first superioress.-U. S. Cath. Miscellany.

At the Convent of the Visitation, Baltimore, on the 5th of January, Sister Mary Frances (Hoskyns), in the 35th year of her age.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

A General History of Europe, from the beginning of the sixteenth century to the peace of Paris in 1815, with addenda to 1840. Philadelphia: Eugene Cummiskey. pp. 468, 12mo.

The glance which we have taken at this volume enables us to say that it is a very interesting compend of the most interesting epochs in the whole history of the human race. The object of the work is "to give the reader a general idea of what has occurred, chiefly in Europe, within the last three centuries, in a succinct style, and an impartial spirit," and these features of the volume with the elegance of its diction, recommend it in a special manner to the young student of history.

L'Abeille pour les enfans ou leçons Françaises, 1ère partie. Philadelphia: Edward C. Biddle. 18mo. pp. 108.

We have looked through this little volume, which is designed for the instruction of young persons in the French language, and we are pleased with the character of the compilation generally, the selections being such as to entertain the youthful scholar, while they are calculated to impress his mind with the love of virtue. New American Speaker; being a selection of speeches, dialogues and poetry for the use of schools. By Thomas Hughs. New edition. Philadelphia: E. C. Biddle. 12mo. pp. 252. This compilation is designed for the instruc

tion of young persons in the arts of reading and elocution, and contains selections from many of the best writers in our language. But though these selections generally possess great merit in themselves, they do not appear to us to have, as far as they might, that character which is necessary for the application of the author's theory; which is, as he tells us, to "trust to nature and good sense." In this we concur with him; but if the scholar is to be formed, and still more, if he is to form himself by this rule, the exercises which he makes use of, should be easy of comprehension, so that he may seize the meaning of the words and give to thein the expression which nature dictates. We think, therefore, that in works of this kind there should be a gradation in the character of the contents; some of the extracts suited to the mental capacity of the beginner, others not so easy of comprehension, yet intelligible to the student who has made some proficiency, but all adapted to the understandings of those for whose benefit they are designed. Father Oswald, a genuine Catholic story. New York: Casserly & Sons. 12mo. pp. 304.

We are indebted to the publishers for an elegant copy of the above mentioned work, which is neatly and substantially printed. The instruction, however, which it contains is a much higher claim to universal patronage. As far as we have looked through its pages, it is entitled

to the commendations that the press has every where bestowed upon it, and we do not hesitate to welcome it among the productions which are to be the most popular and influential means of removing anticatholic prejudice, and leading the Protestant mind to the discovery and acknowledgment of truth. The work is intended to be a refutation of Father Clement, a notorious tale of slander against our holy faith, and as the design of the author is ably accomplished, the circulation of the volume is well worthy the zeal of those who have at heart the honor and propagation of the true faith. It may be purchased at John Murphy's, Baltimore.

Biographical Sketch of the Most Rev. John Carroll, first archbishop of Baltimore, with select portions of his writings. Edited by John Carroll Brent. Baltimore: John Murphy. 12mo. pp. 321, with a portrait.

The announcement of a biographical sketch of the first archbishop of Baltimore, and of a prelate whose wisdom and zeal in public affairs not less than his amiable manners in private life have immortalized his name, must necessarily have awakened in the community the expecta

tion of a highly interesting memoir, the more eagerly looked for as until the present time no pen has been exercised upon this important topic. We think that the volume edited by Mr. Brent will meet the anticipations of most readers, and if it has not been in his power, from the want of the necessary documents and materials, to produce a more extended and detailed biography, the public will easily acknowledge their obligations to him, for the entertaining volume which he has added to our literature. The approbation of the work by the Most Rev. Dr. Eccleston, and the certificate of accuracy prefixed to its contents by the venerable pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Washington, are a sufficient guarantee that it may occupy a very useful place in any library. At present we shall say nothing more of this handsomely executed volume, intending to notice it more in extenso, in some future number of our Magazine. We shall merely add to what we have stated, that a considerable portion of the profits accruing from the sale of the book, will be appropriated to the repairs of a church which was formerly served by the illustrious bishop Carroll.

EDITORIAL REMARKS.

WE have received several communications expressing a decided satisfaction with the character of our Magazine, and we cannot withhold the announcement of the gratification which such intelligence has awakened. To those who have favored us with these testimonials of regard we feel doubly indebted, as they not only attest the interest which they take in our humble efforts, but also animate us to a renewed exertion in the good cause.

We respectfully decline the publication of the "Catholic song of Jubilee," as it does not possess, in our opinion, a sufficient poetical merit for a place in our columns.

The review of Voigt's history of Gregory VII and his age, has been received, and will soon be placed before our readers. It is from the pen of P. F. one of our most gifted contributors, and embraces one of the most interesting periods of the middle ages.

In a forthcoming number will appear the able

dissertation of Wm. Geo. Read, Esq. on the history of St. Thomas a Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, which will be found to be an eloquent and splendid tribute to the memory of that illustrious prelate. We owe much to our learned friend for the privilege of inserting this essay in our columns.

It affords us pleasure also to announce that the March number of our periodical will be enriched with a finely executed engraving of St. Peter's church at Rome, the most magnificent temple that has ever been erected to the honor of the Almighty. The publisher has incurred a considerable expense to procure this plate, and to exhibit to the eye of the reader a representation of one of the noblest monuments that have been reared by Catholic art. From the glance which we have taken of it, it appears to be an embellishment, which would be worthy of a conspicuous place in the most elegantly ornamented periodicals.

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