The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-08

der, The Court upon weighty reasons Judge
meet to declare and order-that every town
of one hundred families and upwards, that
shall neglect or omit to keep a grammar
school, as is provided in that law, such towns
shall pay ten pounds per annum unto the
next town school that is settled according to
that law" In 1858, another act was passed.
obliging every town, consisting Of more than
| FIVE hundred families or householders, to set
up and maintain two grammar schools and
1.-TWO writing schools, the masters whereof snail
| be fit and able TO instruct youth as said law
directs, and in default of performance TO incur
penalty of twenty pounds.
| In an act of 1867, making further provisions
for the support and regulation of schools, in
the preamble Il Is said, that - the encourage
ment of learning tends to the promotion OF
religion and good morals, and the establishment
Of liberty, ciriL and religious"
| These early manifestations oil regard FOR sci
ence and literature, morality and religion. are
10 less laudable and creditablc to our venere-
BILE and pous ancestors, than beneficial to
their posterity. Ii is worthy of particular re-
mark and commentator, that the first settlers
of New. England, and all the emigrantS from
this portion Of our republic, have made schools
their first concern. While they lived in log
houses and mere novels themselves, their
lighthouses were composed of materials ard
finished in a style far transcending in commo-
diousuess, costliness, and beauty, their own
humble Dwellings,. This unequivocally shows
the elevation OF their views, the liberality of
their feelings, their exalted estimation of the
mind Of man, and mental endowments; and
if CIoesus and Scion had lived in their times,
il is very certain which would have been the
most caressed and esteemed, the rich man, or
| 81 D,,kf E1rk 40 To-
logize these ancient Sages and saints, and |
now descend to the theories and practice of
the last and the present generation.
In the Constitution of this State, the follow
ing sentiments on the subject OF education,
are expressed =" Whereas, our wise and pious
ancestors, so early as the year 1886, laid the
! foundation of Harvard College, in which Uni
I Versity many persons Of great emnence have,
by the blessing Of God, been initiated into
those arts and sciences, which qualified them
for public employments, both in Church and
State-and whereas, the encouragement Of
arts and sciences and all good literature, tends
to the honor of God, the advantage of the
Christian religion, and the great benefit of
ttis and the other United States of America -
&c. &c. Again it is said in this charter of our
liberties" Wisdom and knowledge, as well
as virtue, diffused generally among the body
of the people, being necessary for the preser-
walton OF their rights and liberties; and as
these depend on spreading the opportunities
and advantages Of education in the various
parts of the country, and among the different
orders OF the people, 1t shall be the duty OF
Legislatures and Magistrates, in all future
periods OF this Commonwealth, to cherish the
interests OF literature and the sciences, and all
seminarieS of them--espe cially the University
| of nort.f
schools in the towns TO encourage private
societies and public institutions, rewards and
immunites, for the promotion of agriculture,
arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manulac-
lures, aud natural history of the country
to countenancc and inculcate the principles
OF humanity and general beneVoience, public
and private charity, industry and lrugaity,
honesty and punctuality in their dealings
sincerity, good humor, and all the social af-
teGtions and generous sentiments among the
people," In the statute now in force, provid-
ing tor the instruction of youth, and for the
promotion Of good education, it is dee Jared,
that general dissemination of knoaCledge and
ttTtue is necessary to the prosperity of epery
STATE, and the rery eTgStence of a Common
aoedHft" And it is made the duty of every
Legislature, TO establish, patronize, and fos-
ter Schools, Academies and Colleges, and il is
most solemnly enJoined, that all teachers and
instructors, in addition to their literary quail
locations, be persons of good moral character.
By what has heen cited, we see the impor-
lance that the great and the good, in every
age, have attached TO literary institutions
and the general diffusion of useful knowledge ;
and likewise the extensive and wholesome
provisions the law has made for the accom-
pllshment OF all the beneficent purposes con-
nected with liberal education and the prac-
tice OF virtue. The rich benefits of learning
are developed, and the ways and means are
provided for its attainment. The duty and
the happiness of every person are made mani
fest. As every citizen derives the security OF
his property, and the fruits of his industry
from the power Of the State; so, as the price
OF this protection, he is bound to contribute in
common with his elow-citzens, for the pub
tic use, SO much of his property, and for such
public uses as the State shall direct And if
any individual can lawfully withhold his con-
trlbuton, because he dslilSes the appropria-
ton, the authority of the State TO levy taxes
would be annihilated land without money it
would soon cease to have any authority. -
For every expenditure in favor of correct ed
ucation and the support of religion, the con-
trlbutor receives in this life more than an
equivalent. "Property is made more secure
both by the education of children, and the
religious and moral instruction of adults
Every owner of an estate, in this additional
security, receives q compensation for the mon
les paid by him towards the support of literary
and religious Institutions DELTA.
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