Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-10-19
may wear the martyrs crown, and share
the martyrs glory.

may wear the martyrs crown, and share
the martyrs glory.
Yes, in the dispensa,ons of providence,
or rather in the dispensations of thai God
who administers providence, our ,nte q
rest aud our duty are concordant. II II
be our duties TO culture the faculties
and expand the powers which heaven
has bestowed upon US, we need not look
tor further argument that by SO doing
We employ the surest and the easiest
means OF subscribing our real interest
he goyernrn ents of the earth IN en-
deayorng to make provision for The ee-
neral education OF children, have proha-
bly, been influenced by motives growing
out OF their interest alone; but then in
aiming at their real interests, they per-
formed an imperious duty. They know
what must have been obvious to COM
mon sense even before experience had
confirmed it, that TIE proper education
OF children Is essential 10 the well-beine
,ofthe governmental which they are sub.
lect.
ask no surer omen Of nations ap
proachiog wreck-I ask fer no stronger
argument tina, II is verging to anarchy
and dissolution than the tact, that educa-
ton ls neglected. In the very commence
ment oftbis neglect, perceive the open
ing OF food gate through which igno-
rance and concomitan, righteousness
will pour their waves, and in the extent
Of their devastation, break down all the
restraints of law, and overflow all the
landmarks Of virtue.
Much care has been exercised BY the
government OF he United States, in or
der to dltiusc the advantages of educa-
uon generally among our citIzens-- per-
haps as much as is consistcr' with The
genius aud watchfu! jealousy OF our po-
liucal institutions. Considerable good
has already been done, and perseverance,
in similar measures will insure the pro-
ductlop of considerable more.
The influence Of christianity has lately
given birth to a plan for cooperating
With the exertions of governments in
flmparting to the poor the advantages OF
sducation. This plan can be unknown
10 none. Its fame has reached widely
as chris,ianuy has reached. /, has even
been Published 10 heaven, and afforded a
new subject of solicimde and a new
theme for emulation to the inhabitants of
that holy place. Yes SUNDAY SCHOOLS
have given new feryor 20 the deyo,lons
oil paradise, and contributed to swell the
hosanDahs over those beings with whom
there IS joy oOer epery sinner fhat re.
fcntefh. These Institutions nav be con-
identiy viewed as the INSTRUMENTS of
Jehovah in gathering in that revenue of
glory which was levied in eternity They
are among the orient stresks of that
da~ning day in which millions Of all
ages, and compilations, and ranks, and
condiiions, shall crowd together to be-
hold the beauty, and 10 share the bliss Of
celestial Salem
"An assembly, such as earth
Saw never; such as heaven stoops down to
see.''
The propre.y of devoinga portion OF
the sabbath to the religious ipsWuc ION
Of children, can hardly be called in ques-
ton. ! ssudious end sanctimonions, in
deed, must be that piely which would
deny such an employment place among
those works of mercy, that may BE- per-
'orned even on the dav of sanctlfied rest.
Says the Saviour, tie sabbath qvas made
for rsan, and NOT man fer the sob6ath,
and the author of this declaration was
Lord of the Sab6ath-A number Of
nious individuals, assembled together
for the purpose of imparting to pennyless
Indulgence and s,ammerlng infancy, the
riches Of heavenly knowledge. is spec
taele which is lovely to the eye, Of inf
mite benevolence. Nor does he who
nallowed the first day of the week and
called it his own, behold an employment
more congenial to its spirit and more fit
ted to suhserve the end Of its institution.
The period in which we live is re-
mark able period. 1t is a period of zeal
for the diffusion of religious advantages,
to which no preceding age can afford a
parallel. The aspect of the times is
sufficient to enraplure the eye and de-
light the heart of the pious spectator. 4
spirit Of catholic charity has iniamed
he religious community, and prompted
its members to unite their prayers, their
money. their influence and their dill
gence, for the dissemination Of the re-
cord thai Gsd has given Of his SOD.
Missionaries, in considerable numbers,
have been prepared and sent forth to
sound the gospel-jubilee amid the
haun,s of psganism Societies have
been formed for tho publication and gra-
tuitous circulation Of the Bible without