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Laval University. 1938.
I am greatly honoured today to be admitted to the fellowship of this ancient and famous University. Laval is, I believe the oldest academic institution on the American continent. Throughout its long career it has exerted a profound influence on the intellectual and spiritual development of Canada. I have always been connected with Universities, both as a student and as a recipient of honorary degrees, and today I hold University posts, for I am ex officio Visitor of McGill, and I am Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. I have the privilege of the friendship of your Rector, M. Camille Roy, one of the most eminent of living Canadian scholars, and, as he will tell you, I have made use in my own work of the library of Laval. I thank you from my heart for making me one of your household.
It is customary on these occasions for the recipient of an honorary degree to make a short discourse. I want to say to you only this word. This University was founded by a great churchman, and it has always been devoted to the service of God as well as to the service of man. Today in the world there is a revolt against God in many countries and classes, and there is an attempt to divorce the Christian religion from the education of youth and from the government of the state. The Christian Church today is sadly divided, but on this matter all who call themselves Christians can stand shoulder to shoulder. In the words of the Roman poet -
''Hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam" .
We are all agreed that education without God is a barren thing,
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and that a state which is not founded upon religion cannot endure. I welcome the revival today of interest in the philosophy of the Doctor Angelicus, the great St. Thomas Aquinas, and I rejoice to see that Canada is taking a leading part in Thomist studies, as for example, "the work being done now in St. Michael's College in Toronto and the new book of Professor Emile Filion of Montreal. It would be well for the world if it returned to the creed of St . Thomas's famous saying - "Finis ultimus rerum mundanrum est ipse Deus."
