Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-08-02


arc told that il his system bo adopted it will
amount to nothing bat "lnqusitorial proscrip-
tion!" deny both Of these assertions as alike
iliberaI ard unjust. Whoever is acquainted with
the character of DIR. Ely and the high esima-
tion in which his talents are universally held,
By all maintaining the truo principles Of relig
ion and the gospel, will be shocked, at the un-
generous charge Of lunacy which has been
brought again him by those who, | fear, are
too ready to shrink back in the cause OF
christianity and Of God, when they suspect the
popular currrent is likely TO sc, in against them.
am, Sirs, strong believer in tbe proposed
system of DR.. Ely. and feel it my duty to avow
my sentiments Publicky, since the quee,ion has
been broached, and trust there are MANY.
very many, among us who are not ashamed to
boldly acknowledge this opinion. Tho rea-
sons offer for advocating Tho doctrine tina,
none should be appointed to any high Office Of
trust, except professed christians; & mean
those who are really and truly such, and no,
those who wrest the pure and plain principles
and slgniicatfon of the Gospel to suit their own
| worldly purposes) are as follows,
FTsf-Becausc this doctrine IS plainly
taught and laid down throughout the whole
| scriptures. five turn TO tho history of the
Jews and the 1sraeitss we find it uniformly
the case that the people prospered when their
kings and ruors were deyeut mef who feared
God aod strictly adhered TO his holy precepts-
mon who were steadrast in their religion, and
who trembled not in warning the people of the
vengeance OF Heaven for transgressions. On
tho other hand, it as uniformly was, the CASE.
that whom the ungodIy were in power and held
tho reins Of government tho poope did not
prosper, but became prey to famine, pesti-
lence and the conquests Of their snomies.
'setondiy Because if wo wer. to elect men
to high stations who are Christians. tho pro
ie@sIon ofreligon would no longer be consider.
Oh stigma, as some now suppose it , and con-
ssquently mon would moro generally be indu-
ced to listen to tho gospel and thereby be ben
eh'ted when they saw tboss whom the people
delighted 10 hopor, using their inaucrce TO
propagate its pure doctrines.
1hirdIy-Decause in oil probability our
valuable boards of Foreign Missions. establish
cd for The purpose Of evilzing aud christaDn-
ing the dark aud benigbtcd corners of the
earth, would receive tho countcnance and pro-
lection of government, instead Of being com
PEELED to suffer insult and injury from the
hand Of its officers as was recently tho case
In this respect our rulers might be criuentlv
useful, for by sending our missionaries abroad
TO different countries and successfully civil zing
them, our nation would Of couse gain an inAu-
ence among the inhabitants, which, in pclt-
cal point OF view, would result in ncalcuIab,e
advantages TO our commerce. A moderate
sum Of money annually expended from the
public treasury in Foreign Missions. would in
all probability 10 returned to us four fold in
few years, and tho power Of our government
be felt TO tho remo,est corner Of tho world
am satisfied that very small tax Annually as
sessed on the landholders and manufacturers
throughout the Union for this particular pnr-
pose would scarcely be felt or thought Of
Fon'thiy-Because among tho most i'm
portant internal improvements which might
be made in this country the general establish
mon, of Sunday Schools throughout, with prop.
er tea chers and managers appointed TO take
charge ofthem is an object greatly to be deeir
cd. The uneducatcd youth in various parts
compose portion Of society at present appal-
ling 10 people vino are cmulous Of being consd-
cred 'utelligot, and as possessing a compe-
ten, knowledge OF the sciences. There are ve-
ry many who have not the bible and conse-
quenly can hardly be called civilized. These
should be furnished at the expense OF
the nation. Places Of worship should be
erocted in the different territories of tie Uni
ted States that arc not yet incorporated into
the Uhiou, and suitable ministers be provided
All this might be dono without much expense
or trouble, aud our country reap benefit in
the improvement Of its religious, civil and lit
erary Institutions, the magnitude Of which
could at present scarcely be calculated.
FUfhly and iastly-That uniformity in the
appointment Of proicsscd christians to the off.
cos of civil government will greatly cstend re-
lgion and be the means Of ensuring eternal
happiness TO thousands Of our lost race cannot
and will not bo denied. This is by far the
most important reason have to offer m sup
port Of this system. For this I have long
prayed. as believe has every tuo christian
throughout the land, and feel strong con-
fdonco that the proposed system will, sooner
or later bc carried into effect. seeing tha, the