The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-08
Communication.
flor the Massachusetts Spy
EDUCATIOM.-No. 2.

1t is said people will not look forward to
their Posterity, who never look back to their
ancestors, "Quare fecte te, qugsO, and ma
jOreS tltos resptCe"--turn, then, beseech you,
and view your forefathers, and let their noble
example excite You to initiate their deeds.
Do for your offspring, what they did for theirs,
and you shall be worthy to be their descend
ants.
shall quote from the colony laws of 1647,
only 81 years after the landing Of the pilgrims
at plymouth, and though there is something
to smile at in the subject matter and phrase
oiogy of their laws, yet, there is much
to admire and venerate. The first stat
ute respecting schools has the following
preamble: sit being one chief project of
Satan to keep man from the knowledge of the
scriptures, as in former times, keeping them
10 unknown tongues, so in these latter times,
by persuading from the use of tongues, that so
at least the true sense and meaning of the
original might be clouded and corrupted with
false CLOSES of deceivers; to the end, that
learning may not be buried in the graves of
our foreiathers, in Church and Commonwealth,
the Lord assisting our endeavors sit is there
fore ordered by this court and authority there
Of, that every township within this jurisdc-
ton, after the Lord hath increased them to
the number of fifty householders, shall then
forthwith appoint one within their towns TO
teach all such children as shall resort to him
TO write and read, whose wages shall be paid.
either by the parents or the masters of such
children, or by the inhabitants in general, by
way OF supply, as the major part of those that
order the prudentisls of the town shall ap-
point; provided, that those who send their
children, be not oppressed by paying much
more than they can have them taught for in
other towns. And it is further ordered, that
where any town shall increase to the number
of one hundred families or householders. they
shalt set up grammar school, the master
thereof being able to instruct youth so far as
they may be fitted for the University; and ifany
town neglect the performance hereof, above
one year, then every such town shall pay five
pounds per annum to the next school, fill they
shall perform this ORDER" In 1871, another
act was passed, as follows:-ts Forasmuch az
II greatly concerns the welfare of this country.
that the youth thereof be educated, not onlv
in good literature, but in sound doctrine this
court doth therefore commend it TO the serious
consideration and special care of our overseers
Of the College, and the Selectmen in the sew
eral towns, not to admit or suffer any such to
be continued in the Office or place of teaching.
educating, or nstructing youth or children in
the College or schools, that have manifested
themselves unsound in the faith, or scandalous
in their lives, and have not given satisfaction
according TO the rules Of Christ. Whereas.
the law requires every town consisting of one
hundred families, or. upwards, to set up gram
mar school, and appoint master thereof. able
TO instruct youth, so as to fit them for the Col
lege; and upon neglect thereof, the said town
y to pay I'VE pounds per annum to tho next