Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-03-26

Ing and pestllentlal morasS, whence arose
the low exhalationJ with which Europe
for ages, was darkencd. 1t is the part
OF candor to acknowledge that to the COL
leges attached to the cathedrals, we are
Indebted for the preservation Of the works
OF ancient authors, which in other situa-
tons the rudeness Of the Vandal and the
Goth might have destroyed but at the
same time il must be confessed, that what
was taught of grammar and OF magic, OF
observation-disclosures aRdof diviDlty, con-
-.:,.s~l ,.e.tIiuS 10 the Expansion OF IN
tellect, to the development ofthe rights
of society, or to the spiritual and elevated
worship of the living and true Cod
During the period which Prideaux de-
nominates "the reign Of the schoolmen,"
theological questions were decided by
the writings of heather philosopher,
translated into Latin from version
made by the Saracens, the followers OF
Mahomet.
The Jewish nation was never distin-
guished for the refinements of science.
1t presents to the world, notwithstanding,
examples ofreligious and moral iDstruc-
ton, which must ensure respect. With
out admitting as some of the Hebrews
assert, that there were schools anterior
to the deluge, which A dam, and Enoch,
and Noah, were the successive superin-
tendents, it is certain that, at Naioth in
Ramah, schools Of the prophets existed
Sons, or, as the word may import, stu
dents of the prophets, were found at
Bethel and in the plain Of Jericho, under
the care of Elijah. These, or similar
seminaries, probably continued until the
Babylonian captivity. Synagogues,
which, after this catastrophe, began to
grow in number, in some degree super
seeded the use of schools, but did not de-
stroy them. A short time before the
birth of Christ, Jewish literature had
gained considerable ascendency, by the
instructions OF Hillel and Shammai, who,
according to Jerome, were each at the
head of celebrated cstablishment.--l
Even after the. overthrow of Jerusalem,
the Jews had their academies in the va
rious countries into which they were
dispersed. Calmet hcsitates not at stat
ing, that IS on the ruins Of these schools
were formed those Of Egypt and Europe."
It is an interesting fact, that several of
their most eminent teachers, Muimo-
hides, Aben- Ezra, Jarcbi, Rabbi, Nathan,
and Kimchi, hourished very short time
before the founding of European col
leges.
1t is far from being the sentiment of
the General Convention of the Baptist
Denomination, or OF any Of the indivi-
tluals who have been concerned in the
erection of the building in which we are
this day assembled, that liberal educa-
ton is an essential qualification in al
Christian minister. A vast number of
excellent men are to be found in the
churches, and will be succeeded BY hun
dreds more , who, without the advantages
of literature, familiar with the doctrine
and power Of the gospel, and called, as
we believe, of God, to their office, nave
been instrumental in the conversion and
santihca alton Of the hearts of multitudes.
May the Supreme Head Of the church,
still more abundantly crown their pious
and laborious endcavors. But these
very men are, for the most part, among
the first to regret that the treasures of
knowledge have, to them, never been un-
folded, and many of them are among the
most liberal encouragers OF theological
schools. Attachments, such as the
apostles Of Christ were permitted to re-
alize, who for three years passed their
pupilagc under the instructions OF their,
heavenly Master, and who were after
l., ,.,s<1x flo ,ich riff
oftoDgues, it were vain TO anticipate;
but surely the improvement society has
made, during the past thirty years, inti-
mates the propriety of a corresponding
one in the minister Of the sanctuary
Surely, without relying on translation,
how much soever approved, it is desira-
Bile that public teacher be able to read
the pages of inspiration in the languages
in which they were written. Unacquaint-
ed with the construction of his mother
tongue, witt, the history Of nations, with
the economy Of the earth and heavens,
and with the science of composition, he
must deplore the privation nc suffers,
when called to defend the truths which
are dearer than life, in the presence Of
adversaries who have arrayed them
selves in all the armour which learning
can furnish. Ofthe sober use made by
the apostle Paul Of his familiarity with
Grecian poets, we have beautiful spe-
cimcn in his speech before the Areopa-
gus at Athens. In the present age, when
missionaries are passing into almost eve
ry region of the earth, it is evident that,
to enable them with the greater facility
"a acn,Aire new lanAAlares and To frans-