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14 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA where religion is taught, and only regret that all can not see how important it is that the youth of the country be taught the truths of religion during the years when the mind is being opened and the char acter is being formed. We consider this so necessary that we are maintaining separate schools, while at the same time we bear our share in supporting the public schools,” The Catholic Church in the United States expends more than a third of all her income to maintain parochial schools. Over fifty thousand men and wo men in her teaching orders devote their whole life long to teaching Catholic children and youth, not for the sake of a livelihood, because it does not afford them a livelihood, but for the sake of the cause for which in the name of Christ they give up home and family, and still the strongest yearnings of the heart. They never seek another position, never go into business for themselves, never marry, but devote their whole being, through life, unflaggingly, unself ishly, eagerly, to the teaching and training of chil dren; for which the very best paid among them, in the whole United States, gets $450 the year. To what result do they teach, you may ask, and you are interested, of course, in that result as it ap pears outside of religious matters? Well, in last week’s news items 1 read where in a contest under the auspices of the Louisiana Daughters of the Con federacy, for the best essay on the life of a former governor of that State, pupils of Catholic schools won first, second, third and fourth prizes, while the fifth prize went to a pupil of the public schools. In a con test about the same time, held under the auspices of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, for the best essay on “Ship by Truck and Good Roads,” pupils of a subdivision of the Catholic University of St. Louis won all the prizes. A few weeks back under the con test conducted by the war department throughout the United States for the best essay on “The Benefits of Enlistment in the United States Army,” pupils of Catholic Schools won first prizes in Florida, Kentucky, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Dis trict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, South Dakota. The list of different contests of various kinds in which both Catholic school pupils and public school pupils took part, could be extended in definitely. Nowhere, on any subject, have the former failed to make creditable showing. Indeed, it stands to reason, that where teachers give life-long devotion to their work purely for the sake of the cause, they become finished experts. Not only that, but if you will recall that the first primary schools in America were Catholic schools, which were going a hundred years before any other kind began, that Catholic Universities in this Western Hemis phere existed for more than a century before any other kind started, that the first normal schools ever known were started by Catholics, that the education systems of Europe are of Catholic origin, virtually every University in Europe having been founded by a Catholic Bishop, that as far back as the sixth century the Church, through her Councils, directed priests to establish schools in every parish, even in country places, it having been the custom already at that time to have a school attached to every Cathe dral and every Monastery recalling all this, which is the barest skeleton, you will realize that the Cath olic Church not only cherishes education and holds it of paramount importance, but is far from being a novice in her experience along that line. You, of course, like your Baptist friend quoted above, will have no objection to her, too, putting the emphasis on “right education.” This, I think, should be sufficient to convey a clear idea of the Catholic attitude both in general and in particular, towards education. If I have tres passed beyond my welcome on your time and space allow my earnestness in seeking to establish Catholic citizens in the neighborly esteem of their fellow-citi zens, so as forever, if possible, to do away with that religious rancor, which is so inconsistent with the great commandment that we all alike believe, rancor that can not but blind our better judgment in many things, thus proving a common evil to us all—allow this to plead my excuses, and believe me, sincerely yours, Publicity Manager, THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA. The above debate has been widely commented on and copied. It drew some favorable letters, which are on file in the office, but we are taking the liberty of printing two, one from out of the State and the other from that distinguished Georgian, Major J. C. C. Black, whose broadmindedness is so well known to Catholics and whose example might well be followed by other leaders in the state. His letter follows; (Copy) “Augusta, Ga., September 6, 1920. “I have for some days intended to write you about the reply you recently made to an editorial in The Christian Index. I desired to very cordially com mend you for the dignified tone and spirit in which it was written. It seemed to me to be entirely free from passion, and what is perhaps the worst of all prejudices, the religious prejudice. If our religious and political controversies were carried on in such a spirit, it would be very much better for the disputants and the public, and much more helpful in ascertain ing the truth, which should be the supreme object. (Signed) “Very truly yours, “J. C. C. BLACK.” The other letter follows: (Copy) "Louisville, Ky., October 21, 1920. “I have recently read the debate on 'Catholics and the Public Schools” between The Christian Index and yourself, published in The Augusta Herald and later copied by The Record of our city. The manner in which your arguments are put forth are really inspiring in their remarkably calm and unbiased clarity and embraciveness. "Incalculable good must come of it, for no honest mind could be unmoved by its contents. What won derful good a widespread circulation of it would do. “With heartiest congratulations, therefore, I pray that the guiding spirit behind that letter shall ever be with you and your society, (Signed) “You rs sincerely, "R. E. VAUGHAN.”