Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-03-20
From Poulson's American saily Advertiser.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.


Ii affords pleasure 10 the soul, when
$ury ej ing the eastern and western he
nisphers, to behold not less than mil
lion of children and adults in the Sunday
Schools every Sabbath, learning to read
The Holy Scriptures. The name OF Ro-
BERT RAKEs, Esq. the founder OF these
Sc oos, will be held in everlasting re-
membrance. He first suggested the
plan, and demonstrated Its practlcablllty.
This act of benevolence brought upon
him The blessings of thousands ready to
perish; and those who have followed his
example, are daily receiving the thanks
and ,ratitude of those whom they are IN
Atructng.
The benefits resulting to society from
1he establishment of Sunday Schools, are
intellectually great. They are in the
community as leaven which leavens the
whole lump. Every scholar, as soon as
he can read, is made acquainted with the
history and doctrine OF the Redeemer.
Some have committed to memory the
whole of the New Testament, part ofthe
Old, and variety of Divine Hymns,
sui,ed 10 their tender years. These,
with the Instructions, admonitions,
prayers, and holy example of their in
structors, will have powerlu influence
on heir hearts and tender feelings, aud
mildly lead them in the path OF virtue
and religion.
Were Sunday Schools universally
adopted, and all our children both rich
and poor, to receive in them religious
instruction, we should, in short time,
perceive visible change in society. So
briefly, industry, and sacred regard for
the house and worship of God, would
every where be observed. What parent
would not be delighted with child who
had learned by heart the Sacred Volume?
How would his heart overflow with gra-
ti,ude to the Father of Mercies-and his
soul anticipate, with pleasure, the future
prosperity of a beloved child. Do we
sine erely desire that our children should
day up in their memories those divine
precepts, which are to influence their
lives and form them for eternal bliss in
the skies, let us send them to the Sunday
School? Parents know by experience,
that their labors have not been crowned
with the same success as that which the
teachers of the Sunday Schools have ex-
perienced.
There are, perhaps, not less than 5000
children and adults taught every Sabbath,
in the city and county Of Philadelphia.
About 100 of these are adults. We have
reason to believe, that there are thou
sands more, grown to mature age, who
have not been taught to read the Bible,
which is presented to them by the hand
Of charity We are happy TO observe,
SO many young gentlemen and ladies' OF
the first character, devoting their time
and talents in instructing the ignorant.
The same benevolent spirit which in
fuences the friends of christianity to con-
tribute SO literally to Bible Societies, in
duces many young gentlemen and ladies
to engage in the good work Of imparting
instruction to their ignorant fellow crea-
lures.
Some of the Adults Schools in the
city, are held two or three times week
in the evening, where the scholars are
taught writing. A pleasing circumstance
attending these schools is, that the teach
crs have no, only the temporal but the spi-
Sjtusl welfare Of their pupils deeply at