Abridged course of religious instruction, apologetic, dogmatic and moral, transl

Front matter

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Preface

It cannot be too often repeated that religions instruction is the vital part of education. However noble and precious human science maybe, it can only succeed in forming, as it were, a body without life. The knowledge of religion is the vivifying souL All the profane sciences combined could not prevent youth from straying in this world : the science of faith, which is the true light of human life, can alone guide their steps in the ways of honour and happiness.

This religious science must be solid ; it must strike its roots deeply in young hearts, so that it may be able to grow and strengthen as life advances, and resist all the storms that may assail it.

In religious instruction there are two periods or degrees, which may be designated the period of memory and the period of intelligence. The first corresponds to primary teaching, the second to more advanced and higher teaching.

In the primary schools* the text of the diocesan

* Under this denomination must be understood, in a wide sense, all those classes composed of children not yet cspablo of understanding a developed oourse of religious instruction.

IV PREFACE.

catechism^ which contains elements as precious as they are necessary, should be adhered to. These elements must be impressed on the memory of the children, and the meaning of them made clear by such explanations as they can readily understand. If, after haying received this primary education, the children finally leave the schools, they will still take with them the elementary knowledge of Christian doctrine which may afterwards become sufficiently developed in them by hearing the Word of God and reading good books. If, on the other hand, they continue the course of their studies, they will possess the fundamental principles which will serve as a foundation for more complete knowledge. For those more favoured amongst the young who are brought up in the schools of more advanced and higher instruction, the text of the catechism does not suffice : to it must be added the demonstration of faith and a fuUer explanation of its dogmas.

The demonstration of faith will acquaint the young with the philosophical and historical foundations of our belief, which will put them in possession of solid principles, against which all attacks and sophisms will be vain.

7^ full explanation of the dogmas of faith wHl give to the young a better knowledge of their true meaning, and will enable them to view them in their admirable harmony. A multitude of objections and prejudices, arising from ignorance of our mysteries, or a false idea of our dogmas, will thus be removed. This enlightened knowledge will, moreover, cause the Christian religion to be beloved and Jesus Christ and His Church to be cherished. The truths of faith are so beautiful

PREFACE. y

in their nature that they cannot fail to delight the mind when they are seen in their true significance.

To put both this demonstration of faith and a full explanation of its dogmas within the reach of the young is what we have endeavoured to realise in this Course of Religion,

The work is composed of three parts, entitled 'Apologetic,' * Dogmatic/ and * Moral'

The first comprises the rational principles of religion, the demonstration of the Christian faith and the true Church of Jesus Christ, as well as the refutation of the principal modem errors.

The second part unfolds the whole series of the dogmas of faith, from the mysteries of God and the creation to the universal judgment, the final term of God's work in this world.

The third part presents an exposition of the Christian virtues and obligations. It treats of laws in general, of the Decalogue and the commandments of the Church, of sins and good works, of the Sacraments and of prayer, of the feasts and of religious ceremonies.

In order to combine clearness and solidity, we adopt a regular and simple method, which appears to us calculated, especially if aided by short explanation viva voce, to render the logic of the proofs, the true sense of the dogmas, as well as the harmony and the charming beauty of all the virtues of faith, easy to grasp, learn, and comprehend.

Contents

APOLOGETIC.

PBELIMINABY AbTICLES : FAOB

Art. I. On the End of a Religious Argument . . 2