up one million men to the sword that
the republic might be saved. Irishmen in America or elsewhere cannot be
terrified into neutrality by a threat that a few thousands of their
kindred in Great Britain may be thrown out of employment because of
Parnell's agitation.

_The Citizen_, Chicago.

The Pope on Christian Education.

LETTER OF LEO XIII. TO THE PRELATES OF ENGLAND ON THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY
OF RELIGION IN THE SCHOOLS.

TO OUR VENERABLE BRETHREN, HENRY EDWARD, CARDINAL PRIEST OF THE
HOLY ROMAN CHURCH, OF THE TITLE OF STS. ANDREW AND GREGORY ON THE
COELIAN HILL, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER, AND THE OTHER BISHOPS OF
ENGLAND, POPE LEO XIII.

_Venerable Brethren_, _Health and Apostolic Benediction_--Your proved
fidelity and singular devotion to this Apostolic See are admirably shown
in the letter which we have lately received from you. Our pleasure in
receiving it is indeed increased by the further knowledge which it gives
us of your great vigilance and anxiety in a matter where no care can be
too great; we mean the Christian education of your children, upon which
you have lately taken counsel together, and have reported to us the
decisions to which you came.

In this work of so great moment, venerable brethren, we rejoice much to
see that you do not work alone; for we know how much is due to the whole
body of your clergy. With the greatest charity, and with unconquered
efforts, they have provided schools for their children; and with
wonderful diligence and assiduity, they endeavor by their teaching to
form them to a Christian life, and to instruct them in the elements of
knowledge. Wherefore, with all the encouragement and praise that our
voice can give, we bid your clergy to go on in their meritorious work,
and to be assured of our special commendation and good-will, looking
forward to a far greater reward from our Lord God, for whose sake they
are laboring.

Not less worthy of commendation is the generosity of Catholics in this
matter. We know how readily they supply what is needed for the
maintenance of schools; not only those who are wealthy, but those, also,
who are of slender means and poor; and it is beautiful to see how, often
from the earnings of their poverty, they willingly contribute to the
education of children.

In these days, and in the present condition of the world, when the
tender age of childhood is threatened on every side by