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

pointed eloquence Of expression. They pre-.
sent the subject of Sunday Schools, in pious,
dgntisd and patriotic light, which we think
cannot tail to interest every class OF serious rea.
slers; and We would solicit for them place in
your paper as medium not unsuitable to their
character. K.
From the Christian WatcLman.
The Report for the last year being
read, after moving the acceptance of
the Report, and making some prefato.
~ remarks, Mr.. Knowles said
consider it as an interesting truth -
one which will assist US in determining
with what spirit sabbath Schools must
De managed, and which encourages us
to hope for their complete success
that they are the offsprings of Christian.
ity. originating in views of the nature
and necessities of mankind which she
has disclosed 10 us, and in feelings of
expaoded and provident benevolence,
which she has excited and fostered.
1t has been we'll said of Christianity.
that she has elevated woman TO that
rank, which belongs to her, as an intel
lectual, responsible and immortal being.
and which is denied TO her in every re-
gion Of the earth, where the gospel is
unknown. Christianity has accomplish
ed this mos. important and beneficent
change, not only by ditfusing kinder fee
Angs and better principles among man.
kind, but by teaching the great truth
that women are intellectual, RESPONSE.
BILE and immortal beings. This truth
makes an amazing difference In the es-
innate of character. Men, who know
nothing ofthe gospel, and of the endless
existence which it reveals, from their
Judgments of the value OF human beings,
from their merely physical qualities.
But Christianity gives us another STAN
dard She makes the soul the test, and
teaches US, that being, who possesses
an immortal soul, is of inestimable value.
1t may be said, with equal propriety,
and tor the same reasons. that Christi
an'ty has taught US the true rank and
Importance of children.
10 heather countries, the same prin-
eiple by which women are estimated. is
applied to children. They are valued in
proportion as they are likely to become
useful members OF the State. Hence
1t is, that children have been and still
are, destroyed, in some countries. Ly-
enrgus, the legislator of Sparta, direct.
ed, that children, who were sickly or
detormed, should be exposed to perish.
lie regarded children as animals, mere
ly, not worth being reared. unless they
were strong and healthy. On thi. prin-
eiple, female infants ave DESTROYED by
thousands, every year, in Hindostan
and China; and these horrible murders
are excused, by the plea, that the I'M
happy victims are not wanted BY socie-
", and that it is a waste of time and
money, to preserve and educate them.
Christianity puts an end, wherever
she comes, to practices so abhorrent to
humanity. She blots out from the sta
tute book the barbarous laws which
DOOM children to death. She arrests
Tue arm OF the unnatural parent, who is
about to extinguisb the spark, which
has just been kindled.
We are all, perhaps, prone to under
value the Importance of children. Our
attention is apt to be fixed on their igno-
rance and weakness. We see their SIM
Pile sports, and we think of them as OBJ
Jects of parental foudness.
But IT we take the Bible in our hands,
and then look upon group Of children
we shall, if we think Alright, ponder on
nsher and better thoughts. The Bible
Informs US, that in each of these tender
forms, an immortal soul is incarnate-
mat these little beings are to be the men
and women-the magistrates and citi.
zens, and more than this, the fathers
and mothers of the community. 1t re-
minds US, that the Christians of the next
generation are now children, and that
iof the members of our churches who
are to succeed us, we must look among
the children. 1t tells us, that heaven
= VII! be peop'ed with an innumerable
multitude, who were once children. A.
braham, Isaac, and Jacob were chill
dren once. Paul once was child
thought as a child, and understood as a
child. How amazing is the thought that
the helpless infant, now in its mother.
arms, may, atlength ascend, and stand