Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-06-02

| the inestimable privilege of instruction in
knowledge The heart OF the philanthro-
| pist. grows warm, while engaged in the inter
esting contemplation the breast of the pat
riot is filed with joy and hope, and the nan of
piety looks on with grateful emotions, and
blesses the God that put it into the hearts of
his fathers to raise the superstructure Of their
government on so broad and sure a basis.
lfsuch is likely to be the happy influence
OF our system of common schoo.s-if they now
exert powerful and salutary control in the
community, what may we expect from that
system ofinstruction, ofwhich spoke in my
last From Sabbath Schools the christian
may confidently anticipate the most glorious
results. In looking forward through the long
vista OF time, he beholds generation of men
growing up under the genial light of religious
truth lmbibed in childhood in those
very schools which are now so deeply engage
ing the attention of the wise and virtuous.
lie sees community of christians humbly
bowling at the footstool of sovereign mercy
reverencing, and adoring their God, and pay
ing obedience to His precepts-lookiug up TO
Him, with fervent gratitude, in the season of
happiness and prosperity,-with firm trust and
meek submission in the hour of sorrow and ad-
versity. He sees the march Of improvement
pressing onward to its glorious termination
the perfection of the mind, the publication of
the heart, The entire specification of the whole
man. Ee sees the earthly temples of the
Lord crowded with anxious and engaged list
eners.hanging upon the words of sacred instruc-
ton, which proceed from the lips the min
lister of God. He contemplates the blessed
time whenth holy sabbath will be season
OF delight and spiritual refreshment to all, and
when all, in their daily walk will be govern
ed by the spirit oftruth and piety. He looks
on, and it is nation of christians, a band of
brothers, a blessed company Of devsut and ho-
ly men that he contemplates.
And is this no more than a picture of the
imagination, too vivid in its colourlngs for roal-
ity? Is it but vision of the fancy, which
needs only moment of waking reason to dis
spate it forever? tits picture of the mag
nation, but in that picture, bright as is its col
oring, there may be much of truth, It is a WIS.,
ion of the fancy, and although it may now
seem to many altogether fanciful. yet may it
be fulfilled in all its pleasing and animating
detail. The progress Of moral as we'll as in.
tellectual truth is slow and almost impercept-
ible. 1t IS only by comparing two distinct
periods, widely separated from each other,
that we are enabled to perceive any improve
ment in the condition of society. Yet this
Improvement, though gradual, is sure The
light OF truth must one day dissipate the mist
OF error, and, illuminate the world with its
grateful and resp endent beams. We do not say
that the full splendour of the noon will burst
upon us IN the morning of our day. We do not
say that this age or the next will witness the
scene we have described. We do not say
that any one instrument under God, is to pro-
duce thorough reformation in society; but
we do say, that next to the faithful preaching Of
the gospel, sabbath schools are likely to be in
strumental in the gradual sanctifcationI of the
world. The blessing Of Almighty God will
sooner or latersucceed the strenuous exertions
OF his people to promote the cause ofpiety and
true religion in the world. He has promised
his blessing on the preached word, and will he
not bless similar efforts, which have for their
exalted end the religious Improvement of the
rising generation? If, in the happy season
OF childhood, every one, who lives under the
light OF revelation, is taught not only TO rcver-
ence, hut to love, and pay obedience to his
Maker, but also to look up to him, at all times
and in all situations, as his gracious Father and
Almighty Friend ;-ifh he is directed to look at
Calvary and behold there a bleeding Lamb
and an all-suf6cient Saviour ;-,-.if he is taught
to view the word of God as his invaluable
possession, and 10 study its holy, sanctifying
precepts accordingly it, with all the
warmth and freshness and sincerity of his
young affections, he is taught daily to bow his
feeble knees, and ask the blessing and forgive.
ness of his God, will the full grown man. in the
maturity of his powers, entirely forget The les
sons OF his childhood, and walk in the paths
OF unholincss and Gin? Is there nothing the
influence Of sacred truth, set home upon the
heart by the divine grace, which is purifying
and enduring? nothing to curb unruly passion
and restrain unlawful desire And will God
Withhold his grace? Shall no dew descend to
waterthe soil in which the seed is sown
Does lie not mark the lilies of the field how
they grow, and open the windows ofHeaven,
and pour out refreshing showers to moisten the
thirsty land, and shall He not send the living
waters to purify and revive the heart? Yes
so sure as the promises Of Eternal Truth new
or iaii OF Their tulhlment--so sure as the Sa-
viour died to open unto man door of saliva
ton, the Holy Comforter will ever come to
those who eek Him in sincerity. That being,
high or low, rich or poor, learned or unlearn-
ed, young OF old, who, in singleness of heart,
in chlldlke simplicity and love, and in nm.
lelgned sorrow for sin, comes humby TO the
Throne of Grace, cannot fail of receiving the
needed blessing. Is there not then something
but imagination in the picture Is the Wis.
ion altogether unreal?
THE HILDS' FRIEND.
ITO be continued)
I Solution fhe Rebus IN, the last Sou.