regarding one or two points which my work has suggested to me. Nine-tenths of our Catholic pupils in parish schools are to become bread-winners, and to meet in competition in the great active world their non-Catholic companions. We wish them received on their own merits, without favor or patronage. To accomplish this we must give them the common state's tests or examinations if we do our duty fully by them. In the strenuous world of to-day it is not what we say we are, but what we prove we are, and at no vital point does this more fully apply than in that of school examinations and results. If Catholic text-books of a high order are desired, let them be written, and then we, as educators, will be in a position to dictate. The opening is wide now for our Catholic university and college professors -able and scholarly men, as they are to give us text-books in history, literature, science and philosophy. It is a fine thing to offer a volume of essays to the world; it is an artistic work to present a volume of classic verse to the lovers of poetry; but in this, our day of educational activity, it is a noble aim to give to teacher and pupil a high grade, authoritative text-book, which goes forth on its mission, enters thousands of school rooms and forms the basis for true Christian ideas and ideals in the growing minds of children. Catholic education need not limit its goal to that set by popular thought, but move onward and upward into that sanctuary of highest learning, which is only unlocked by the golden keys of a combined head and heart education. Rev. Louis S. Walsh-It seems to me that we can state here as the result of this discussion that there should be a relative uniformity in regard to our text-books in the diocese, just as far as it is possible to have it. We should aim in that direction. Secondly, when there is question of change of text-books, it should be done with the greatest prudence and care and slowness, and that the teachers in the schools ought to have the principal part in determining whether the text-book is available or not. I think that states our views as expressed here this morning. Thirdly, Catholic authors ought to have preference when a book has the recommendation of the teachers. That is already a good gain. The fact that so many are ready to take up Catholic authors, if they produce the right book, makes it all the easier to carry out this recommendation. Fourth Meeting of the Educational Conference of Seminary Faculties. Report of Proceedings. TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1905. The fourth meeting of the seminary conference, its second annual meeting as a department of the Catholic Educational Conference, took place in Cathedral College, New York. In the absence of the president, Very Rev. Patrick McHale, C. M., who was fulfilling his mission in the Philippine Islands, the meeting was called to order by the secretary at 11:30 a. m. Dr. Driscoll, president of the seminary at Dunwoodie, was unanimously chosen presiding officer for all sessions of the annual meeting. On agreement of the conference, the recommendations submitted to it by the General Association were read and each recommendation, after being discussed in open meeting, was unanimously accepted. The record of them will be preserved in the proceeding of the General Association* A motion was carried that a committee on resolutions be appointed by the Chair, and that it be also the duty of this committee to draft a constitution and submit the same at the next session. The Chair appointed Drs. Lebl, Dyer and Duffy. Father Butler of St. Bonaventure's was elected to serve in Dr. Garvey's stead on the Executive Board for the remainder of the term. Dr. Lebl read a paper on the teaching of "Holy Scripture in the Seminary." Owing to the lateness of the hour, the reading of the second paper and the discussion were postponed till the next session. The meeting adjourned. WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 1905. The session opened at 9:45 a. m., Dr. Driscoll presiding. The secretary read the constitution, which had been drafted by the Committee on Resolutions, Drs. Lebl, Dyer and Duffy, and presented to the conference. The conference unanimously accepted the constitution as read and completed it by fixing at twenty dollars the amount of the annual assessment of each seminary, which the committee had left undetermined. Dr. Driscoll read the second paper on the teaching of "Holy Scripture in the Seminary," which was discussed at length. The second topic, the "Teaching of Pedagogy in the Seminary,' was taken up by Dr. Thomas E. Shields of the Catholic University, whose paper concerned chiefly the qualifications required of the professor of pedagogy in the seminary. Dr. Duffy of Dunwoodie followed immediately, treating first of the need of such a course in the seminary, and, secondly, of the plans that might be proposed to supply the need. The discussion of these two papers occupied the remainder of the session, which lasted till after 1 p. m. At the close of the session, Dr. Duffy, owing to pressure of work, tendered his resignation as member of the Committee on Resolutions, and the Chair appointed in his place Father Bernard Kevenhoerster, O. S. B., of Collegeville, Minn. The meeting adjourned. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1905. The meeting was called to order at 10 a. m., Dr. Driscoll presiding, and the conference proceeded to the reading of papers. Father Hoctor of St. John's Seminary, Brooklyn, read a plea in favor of a fuller education of seminarians to fit them for their duties regarding the building, decorating and care-taking of the House of God. After the discussion of this paper, the secretary, in the absence of Dr. Vieban of Baltimore, read the paper prepared by him on "Charitable Work by Seminarians as a Preparation for the Ministry." The discussion was entered into by many. The resolutions framed by the committee were presented to the conference, and, with the addition of another inspired by Father Hoctor's paper, were accepted and sent to the General Committee on Resolutions. A vote of thanks was unanimously tendered to Dr. Shields for his generous response to the invitation of the Seminary Executive Board. The election of officers for the ensuing year followed and resulted in the choice of Dr. Driscoll, President; Father Musson, Vice-President, and Father Fenlon, Secretary. The Chair appointed Father Molyneux, C. M., and Father Fenlon members of the General Executive Board, representing the Seminary Conference. The question of letters of recommendation given to students by seminaries was taken up informally and discussed. Its importance was recognized, but lengthy discussion of it postponed till the next annual meeting. The meeting adjourned. JOHN F. FENLON, Secretary. Resolutions. The following resolutions were adopted by the Catholic Educational Association: Resolved That, in furtherance of the commands of the Holy Father regarding the teaching of catechism, special care be bestowed on the training of seminarists for this important duty. That the seminarists be grounded in the principles of religious instruction; that in the class of homiletics special stress be laid on the pedagogical training of catechists; furthermore, that, where possible, they be permitted to assist at the catechetical lessons of experienced priests, and, at least in the higher classes, be themselves employed in this work. That in the teaching of logic and psychology special attention be given to the pedagogical principles and directions of these treatises and that the student be constantly directed to apply them in doing his own work. That in view of the needs of our parochial schools and diocesan high schools, it is necessary to have among the clergy men thoroughly acquainted with true pedagogical principles and methods, that the seminaries endeavor to direct the attention of the most apt students to this work and encourage them to pursue post-graduate courses in order to fit themselves for it. That the seminarists be encouraged to engage, as far as practicable without detriment to their seminary duties, in consoling and instructing the sick and unfortunate in hospitals, prisons, etc., with the approval of the priest in charge; and that experience has proved that such work is beneficial to them personally and renders them more zealous and efficient in carrying out like work in their priestly ministry. That steps should be taken to acquaint the seminarists with sufficient knowledge of ecclesiastical art and architecture to ensure that our churches may be constructed and adorned in accordance with proper liturgical and artistic ideals. On the Principles and Methods of Our Biblical Studies. REV. SIMON LEBL, D. D., MILWAUKEE, WIS. Faith in the Bible is rapidly losing ground, especially where the war cry, "The Bible and the Bible alone," was raised and kept up in opposition to the Church. In Catholic countries, too, rationalism and worse errors have won too many adherents. Nevertheless the Bible is studied and, indeed, not unfrequently with the tendency to show that it does not deserve nor does it claim the authority attributed to it by preceding generations. The historian and ethnologist makes it the object of research as the most important document recording in sober and trustworthy manner human history from the very beginning. The philosopher must consider the religious philosophy of the Bible and its ethics; but most frequently it is studied by the student of literature as Hebrew literature and as continuing the earliest. Christian documents. The Bible belongs to literature as the book of books. It holds the most prominent place in it. This is generally acknowledged by men of most opposite religious and philosophical views; the few scoffers or opponents that would like to detract from its literary and historic eminence do not count. Every sensible and |