(Latin, Fratres Ignorantice; French, Freres Ignorantines), also known as the Congregation of Christians Instruction and Christian Schools, is the name of a Jesuitical foundation for the gratuitous instruction of poor children in sacred as well as secular learning, which was founded in France in the early part of the 18th century (1724) by the abbé de la Salle. ‘ As the object is to confine the instruction to such branches as do not conflict with, but even favor, the religious views of the Roman Catholics, virtually preparing the young, by the exclusion of all books by Protestants, to remain true to the church of their fathers, they have gradually been introduced into every Catholic country of Europe. In France this society shared at the Revolution the fate of all the other religious bodies; but, under the name of Brothers of the Christian Schools, they were recalled, and re-established under Napoleon in 1806. They are now exceedingly numerous in France, Italy, and in some parts of Bohemia and Germany. Many branches exist also in England and Ireland. In the latter country they have large educational establishments, with a series of schoolbooks specially designed for Roman Catholics. The Ignorantines wear a dress very similar to that of the Jesuits. — Chambers, Cyclop. 5, 517; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 6, 632.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More