Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-06-28


being who has but just begun to live,
will never cease to live. II must go on,
whether wo or happiness be its destiny.
A being, then, so important, with IA
culiies SO vast, aud destined to an eter-
nal existence, ought surely to be plac-
ed, as soon as he can think and act at all
within the influence OF those causes,
which may give the best direction TO bis
powers. A slight bias at the outset may
give fatal direction to the character,
and pervert to mischief and ruin those
faculties, which might else be employ
ed for the glory of God, and the happi.
ness OF man. II is said, that there are
points, on some of the high mountains
OF the earth, where two drops of water,
falling few feet apart, will flow in op
poslte directions; and after passing
through wide regions Of country, far
dislan from each other, will at last
mingle with the ocean, at points many
thousand miles apart. So the mind of a
child, ifearly guided by some careful
hanc, may receive direction totally
opposite to that which it would other
wise have taken. There were moments,
perhaps, in the early lives of Cesar and
Napoleon, when slight impulse might
have given another cast to their char
acters, and different direction to their
powers.
These are views of the nature and
wants of human beings, which Christi
anity has revealed to us. She thus shows
us the high Importance OF educating
children, as immortal beings.
1t is admitted, that it is the duty Of
parents, to fulfil this Office, of religious
teachers. But alasl all parents are not
disposed nor qualified. to perform the
service. Those who neither love nor
read the Bible themselves, will not In
struct their children, in its truths.
Something may be done by the min
istry of the word, but it is sad truth,
and perhaps it is a reproach to the min
istry--that very little effect is produced
on the minds of children.
To supply these wants, and defcien
cies, was worthy Of special interposi-
ton of the Father of lights. The idea
OF Sabbath School instruction was an
inspiration from Him He moved Raikes
to TRY" and multitudes since, to
continue the trial He has given it won
derful success. and signalized its pro.
g,sss by abundant evidence Of Ills ap-
probation.
deem Il unnecessary, Sir, to use
arguments to prove, that the early re-
ligious instruction, which is received in
Sabbath Schools, will have salutary
effect, as restraint, at least. Ii a
youth be carefully trained TO a knowl-
edge of the truths of the Bible, they
will make some impression on his mind.
They willrise to his recollection, in sub
sequent life; they will make him pause
before he plunges into crime, and will
warm bis conscience, on remember
ance of bis trespasses. Thoughts of
God, death and judgment, will force
themselves on his mind; and if they
do not entirely deter him from vicious
habits, will, at least, check the rapid
ty OF bis course, and limit the extent of
his deviations from the path ofrectitude.
Mr Cecil, once distinguished proffli-
gate, and afterwards as eminent a saint,
remarks: II had pious mother, who
dropped things in my way. | could not
rid myself of them. was a professed
infidei; but then liked to be All inhdel
in company, rather than when alone
| was wretched, when by myself |
could not divest myself of my better
principles"
But this effect will not terminate on
the individual. 1t will check that evil
influence, which men communicate to
each other. Think, Sir, of the effect
on but one class of society,-the pro-
fessed scholars and authors. If every
child were carefully instructed in the
Bible, there would be few sceptical or
vicious writer's. They might not be
Christians, but they would not be likely
to become infdels. The principal wri-
tiers, who have assailed the scriptures,
as Yoltaire and Paine, have been igno-
rant of them, to degree, which would
excite the surprise and pity of the chill
dren in our Sabbath Schools. No geol-
ogist, who had early studied the Mosaic
account Of the creation, would ever ex-
anime the strata of the earth, to
Extract register. by which to prove,
That he who made il, and revealed Its date
To Moses, was mistaken in its age.
No astronomer, who, in his child
hood. learned from the Scriptures that