Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-04-17
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.

Among the numerous benevolent in
stiiulions, by which the present is dis
tinguishcd from the past ages of the
world, Sabbath Schools deservedly hold
a, high rank. These schools are in sue
cesstul operation, not only in almost eve
ry part OF Our own country, but through
out the christian world. They have been
established, it is confidently believed, in
every town Of much consequence on our
sea-board, from Ncw-0rleans to the
eastern extremity of Maine. Nor arc
they confined to the towns or the Allan
tic. They have travelled north to De-
troit and Mackinaw. They have enter
cd Canada. They have advanced west
of the Mississippi, and north Of the Ms
souri,. May they soon reach the Pacific
and the frozens Oceans.
To rejecting and enlightened mind,
the remark will doubtless seem trite,
that sabbath schools are of great utility
to the community, and especially to the
rising generation. The limits prescribed
to this communication will not admit OF
illustrating, at much length, or even OF
enum Grating, the numerous advantages
resulting from the benevolent establish
mcnt of sabbath schools. But it does
not require any labored investigation, TO
discover, that children, without moral
and religious instruction, and without
knowledge of the scriptures, are inclin-
ed to practices, alike hostile to their own
best interests, and to those of the public.
1t vii! not, however, be pretended, that
the best instruction., without the divine
blessing, can ever eFectually subdue the
strong propensity of. children to evil;
but may operate, with happy effect, to
restrain it within narrower bounds. The
children and youth, that are often per-
mitted to contemplate the deformity of
falsehood and the beauty of truth, deli
heated in their appropriate colors--the
evil consequences of indulging the an
CRY passions, and the happy effects OF
cherishing an amiable disposition, will
be more likely to become blessings to
society than those who are not thus IA
vored with early instruction. Yes, they
will, in all probability, be better children,
better brothers and sisters, better COM
panions, and better members of society.
What man, that has in his bosom any
thing noble, OR commendable, has not
often felt, whilst contemplating virtu-
Gus example, strong desire to exhibit
in his life, that excellence, which he so
much admires in others But the minds
of youth are more tender, and more alive
to the delineations of virtue and vice.
Impressions, too, made in the youthful
mind, are more permanent. They often
have an important influence on the
whole subsequent life, and give to the
individual character, that will adhere
to him during the interminable ages of
his future existence! How important is
it, then, whether we take into view the
temporal or spiritual welfare ofthe rising
generation, that our children and youth
should be richly furnished with instruc-
ton!
1t affords US much pleasure to state,
that we are informed, sabbath schools
are about to be organized in Alton, in
-Edwardsville, in the Marine Settlement,
1 and at Shoal Creek. We sincerely hope,
numerous other places, not only in llll-
nois, but in Missouri and Indiana, will,
with the opening spring, engage in this
great work of benevolence-the moral
instruction of the rising generation. Our
citizens are not deficient in intelligence
and enterprise. All that is wanting, then
it is believed, in order to have our hope: