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| Of Schoolmasters and Their Difficulties. PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP
Chapter X.—Of Schoolmasters and Their
Difficulties.
Moreover, we must inquire likewise touching
schoolmasters; nor only of them, but also all other professors of
literature. Nay, on the contrary, we must not doubt that they are in
affinity with manifold idolatry: first, in that it is necessary
for them to preach the gods of the nations, to express their names,
genealogies, honourable distinctions, all and singular; and
further, to observe the solemnities and festivals of the same,
as of them by whose means they compute their revenues. What
schoolmaster, without a table of the seven idols,222
222 i.e., the seven
planets. |
will yet frequent the Quinquatria? The very first payment of every
pupil he consecrates both to the honour and to the name of Minerva; so
that, even though he be not said “to eat of that which is
sacrificed to idols”223 nominally (not
being dedicated to any particular idol), he is shunned as an
idolater. What less of defilement does he recur on that
ground,224
224 i.e., because
“he does not nominally eat,” etc. | than a business brings which, both nominally
and virtually, is consecrated publicly to an idol? The Minervalia are
as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s;
Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little
slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise
must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of
Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the
schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the
ædiles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed
holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday;
every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things
are befitting to a Christian master,225
225 [Note the
Christian Schoolmaster, already distinguished as such, implying
the existence and the character of Christian schools. Of which, learn
more from the Emperor Julian, afterwards.] | unless it be
he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a
master? We know it may be said, “If teaching literature is
not lawful to God’s servants, neither will learning be
likewise;” and, “How could one be trained unto ordinary
human intelligence, or unto any sense or action whatever, since
literature is the means of training for all life? How do we repudiate
secular studies, without which divine studies cannot be
pursued?” Let us see, then, the necessity of literary
erudition; let us reflect that partly it cannot be admitted, partly
cannot be avoided. Learning literature is allowable for believers,
rather than teaching; for the principle of learning and of teaching is
different. If a believer teach literature, while he is teaching
doubtless he commends, while he delivers he affirms, while he recalls
he bears testimony to, the praises of idols interspersed
therein. He seals the gods
themselves with this name;226
226 i.e., the name of
gods. | whereas the Law, as
we have said, prohibits “the names of gods to be
pronounced,”227
227 Bible:Zech.13.2">Ex. xxiii. 13; Josh. xxiii. 7; Ps. xvi. 4;
Hos. ii. 17; Zech. xiii. 2. | and this
name228
228 i.e., the name of
God. | to be conferred on vanity.229
229 i.e., on an
idol, which, as Isaiah says, is “vanity.” |
Hence the devil gets men’s early faith built up from the
beginnings of their erudition. Inquire whether he who catechizes
about idols commit idolatry. But when a believer learns these
things, if he is already capable of understanding what idolatry is, he
neither receives nor allows them; much more if he is not yet capable.
Or, when he begins to understand, it behoves him first to
understand what he has previously learned, that is, touching God and
the faith. Therefore he will reject those things, and will not receive
them; and will be as safe as one who from one who knows it not,
knowingly accepts poison, but does not drink it. To
him necessity is attributed as an excuse, because he has no
other way to learn. Moreover, the not teaching literature is as
much easier than the not learning, as it is easier, too, for the
pupil not to attend, than for the master not to frequent, the rest of
the defilements incident to the schools from public and scholastic
solemnities.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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