Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-19
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
Mr.. EDITOR 1t is not necessary, appre-
bend, at this enlightened day, 10 cxpatiate
upon the Importance of early education. No
efforts of mine are necessary to impress upon
the public the absolute necessity of instilling
into the minds of our children the principles
of knowledge, and of cultivating in them de-
sire for such requirements as will be beneficial
to themselves in their various stations in life,
and eminently useful to society, inasmuch as
general dissemination of knowledge is one of
the frmest pillars of the State. The soil which,
more than all others, is prolific of prejudice,
and of sentiments the most false and danger
Gus, is ignorance. Neglect to sow the seeds of
useful knowledge in the minds of youth, and
thousand rank and noxious weeds will spring
up. The gardener cannot expect reward
for his labours, if, after preparing his soil, he
sow no seed. Weeds will grow there, it is
true, most luxuriant9y, but there can be no
fruit. So it is. with the mind. Leave it to it.
self, and its natural state will ever be such as
to preclude the possibility OF any thing good
proceeding from it. Cherish and expand it by
the influence of judicious instruction, and a
very different result may be expected--a re-
suit highly favourable to the child, gratifying
to the parent, and beneficial to society. These
| truths are generally acknowledged, and almost
every parent feels deeply the i'm portance Of
giving to his offspring every opportunity of ina
provement in his power, and in most parts of
our country, very few, who seek it, need be
excluded from the invaluable privilege of stor
ing their minds with such knowledge as they
need. But though such is the feeling and con-
duct OF parents in procuring for their children
attachments merely worldly, yet in relation to
that heavenly wisdom which is above all price,
and Of which more that can obtain it ought
ever to be destitute, there is not the same I'M
ion either in sentiment or practice. But if re-
hgious kno Wedge be of any Importance, if it
be necessary to become spiritually wise, in or
der to be spiritually happy here and hereafter,
then surely is it the imperious duty of every
| one who brings into existence an immortal be-
ing, TO see that its immortal interests be not
neglected. The responsibility of parents is
great beyond all expression, and if they are
once made to feel its weight, one would think
that they could spare no efforts to fulfil their
solemn. aud indispensable obligations, by i'm
planting in the immortal minds of their chill
dren the principles Of eternal truth. Whether
this be done by means of public instruction.
or by instruction administered beneath the do
mestic roof, it should, at all events, be done,
and those parents have fearful account to
render who entirely ,eglect, or specifically
perform this high and holy duty.
| Among the many admirable institutions, to
which the good spirit of the times has given
rise, that of SABBATH SCHOOLS holds most
prominent and conspicuous rank. Their in
| dnence upon society, when wisely and judi
| ciously conducted, cannot but be highly sau
tary. As in the daily schools the principles OF
knowledge are there taught, but, unlike all
other schools, their leading design is to engraft
into the young mind those great moral and re-
lgious truths which make wise unto salvation.
This is certainly a noble object of exertion,
and all classes in society should Join heartily
i'll an institution SO laudable in its design, and
likely to be so blessed in its end. There is no
danger that either the young or the old should
become too familiar with the subject of relig-
ion. 1t is 3 subject important as eternity, and
he who knows the most oft, who is most deep
ly minated into its holy mysteries, and whose
hairs have grown grey in its investigation
needs yet to be taught, for he is but a babe in
knowledge, or in virtue.
There is something in religious truth so sim.
pie and unpretending-s something so admira
lily adapted to guide and instruct the hurblest
and most neglected being in creation, that il
seems peculiar sin to shut out It's benignant
light from the minds of children. The holy
scriptures solemnly enjoin parents to 'bring
up their children in the nurture and admoni.
ton of the Lord" Train up child M The
Oay he should CO." says the heaven-taught Sol.
ONION, sand acIten he IS old he aOiU not depar
from it," ''fo the modern philosopher, says
an eminent divine, "who would explode early
religious instruction as piece OF superstition
to the parent, anxious to store the infant mind
with every thing but the truths Of the Bible
we may appeal and ask f; art thou wiser than
Solomon? But what says the Almighty? These
acOrds uhich command Thee this day, shall b.
in thine heart; and thou shall teach them dill.
igentiy 10 thy children; and shalt talk of them.
When thou sitteSt IN Httne house, aud chen thou
aCaIkest by the aCay, and When thou Hest doun
and wlten thou rtSeSt up" To the same phi
losopher, to the same parent, would say, .4ri
thou piSer than JehOUdh ? And need to a
Christian community, who profess to value the
religion OF Jesus Christ as their only hope ia
time, their only Joy in eternty,-need to
such community attempt to set forth the ad-
vastagcs to be derived from SABBATH Schools
After saying that here are taught the everlast-
ing, the all.mportant precepts ofrelgion, need
say ole word more TO induce parents to send
their children to these schools Need re-
mind them that the instruction, which their
children there receive, is salutary TO the mind;
that it exerts powerful influence in con-
trolling and subduing the depravity of the
heart, and that, under God, it may be the
means OF converting their children? In the
language Of a modern female writer, to whom
great gratitude is due former admirable NOR
al and religious essays-"Shall the early pc
rod OF youth, the soft and impossible season,
when lasting habits are formed, when the seal
cuts deep into the yield g wax, and the i'm