University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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24 THE IGXATJA.X place and the need of God’s wisdom in the direction of human affairs. As Catholics we have our convents where the veiled nun teaches the child to clasp its hands in prayer. We have our colleges where robed priests sacrifice their lives, that they may ground American youth in the fundamentals of Christian morality and ethics. W ill you, then, tolerate the triumph of a despicable minority with the Smith-Towner Hill, the initial step in a campaign which must ultimately result in the destruction of the last strongholds of religion and morality in America? Will you not by your protests impress upon the proponents of this measure that we have still in America men and women whose hearts are as rich in genuine patriotism as our valleys are rich in the bounteous fruits of nature; that we have still in America men and women whose minds are as high and noble in Christian sentiment as our mountains are grand and lofty in their cloud-swept regions. And if courageously you rise to the occasion, if with loyal hearts flaming with the ardor of a righteous indignation, you firmly stand in defense of traditional principles of both your government and your faith, you may rest assured that the Constitution will he respected, the flag will remain secure, and the holy light which issues from the cross on Calvary’s hallowed hill will case its saving beams of benediction on our country. Itaanj In the (juiet of vesper he muses On the joys of the days that are dead. As with bowed head he slowly peruses The Ros’rv of years that have sped.

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THE S IITH-T0IVNER BILL 23 abolish the Constitution, reject it entirely and place some Bismark in control at Washington. As Americans, then, we must be vigilant. But the time has come when as Christians we must be more than vigilant. W’c must be active. W e must open wide our eyes that we may witness the fury with which atheism stalks abroad in the land, hurling its challenge to our powers, scoffing at our sensibilities, contemning our intelligence, menacing our institutions. It is high time that we take cognizance of such legislation as the Smith-Towner Bill, the ultimate effect of which will be to wound unto the death the splendid cause of private education. Such has been the tendency, such has been the inevitable consequence in every nation where nationalization of the schools has been attempted. But why should we be so solicitous for the cause of private education? What is the place of the private school in America? “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” These are no words of mine. They are the parting words of George Washington in his farewell address. Religion! Morality! Is public education today supplying these indispensable supports? Unfortunately but by force of circumstances our educational system may not make even a pretense to a sound system of morality. For they have banished religion from the school. The child goes forth from the home into the schoolroom, its eyes searching the heavens for God, its child beat craving instinctively for the spiritual. “The lambs look up and are not fed.” For all that the public school can offer is a blank and barren secularism. This is the place of private education in America. We are not ashamed to say that there are. still institutions of every Christian sect and creed that recognize God's

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THE HERMITS ROSARY In the purple of fast fading twilight He sits telling his beads strand by strand. While directly before him in plain sight Runs the time-telling hour-glass sand. While upon him age surely is creeping. Is claiming his fast failing strength. Vet for him age was not made for weeping, Tis no season of wearying length. Need we look for the source of his glory? Xav, ’tis obvious, patent and plain— 'Tis the same sweet and beautiful story Which is told on the Rosary’s chain. What a solace is such a devotion! What a well-spring of joy and of grace! To feel sure in our every motion The full power of winning life’s race. O Maria! Christ’s glorious mother. O Sweet Virgin! most pure and most wise, We beseech thee, and trust in no other. For our prayers you will never despise. With the feelings of John the Apostle, As when told bv his Lord to “Behold! To you, tenderest Mother, most docile, Through the Ros’ry our cares we unfold. William A. O’Brien.