Catechetical instruction, Pius X. observes, is the basis of all other kinds of religious instruction. Ignorance of the catechism he declares to be the chief cause of that rapid increase of infidelity and immorality which he witnesses, not only among the poorer classes, " but in the highest walks of life and among those who, inflated with knowledge, rely upon a vain erudition and think themselves at liberty to turn religion into ridicule and to blaspheme that which they know not." His words confirm the solemn warning which a late learned prelate Addressed to his clergy: The most effectual of all preaching, and that without which all other preaching is nearly useless, is the teaching of the catechism to the young. The priest who would neglect every other instruction and teach the catechism to the children of his parish would have done a great deal. The priest who would discharge every other duty and neglect this one would have done nothing. The one will be preparing for his successor a generation of, at least, believing Christians; the other, a generation of baptized pagans.
