Page:Jesuit Education.djvu/546

526 intellectual training is considered secondary and subordinate to the moral and religious training, whereas all other systems aim at a purely secular education, and in this again lay special stress on the intellectual, to the neglect of the moral training.

It has frequently been observed that the spirit of our age manifests many pagan tendencies. The utilitarian trend of modern education is undoubtedly a sort of neo-paganism. To the artistic mind of the Greek the "Beautiful" (καλόν) and the "Good" (ἀγαθόν) were terms almost synonymous. Greek education, accordingly, aimed at the harmonious development of body and intellect for this life. In the eyes of the Roman, the Eternal City was destined to conquer and rule the whole world. To make useful and devoted members of that mighty political fabric was the sole aim of the education imparted to Roman youths. But the aim of Christian education must be far different. Christ's life and teaching cannot be ignored and disregarded. His "seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His justice," must be the foundation of all educational principles, "for what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?" Therefore, if "the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom," the moral and religious training of the young must claim the special attention and care of the teacher. Whereas Greek education affected only the intellect (νοὒς, mens), Christian education affects the soul, (πνεὒμα spiritus) as contrasted with the body, the "flesh"