Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-18


milar nature might be applied to the American
Sunday Schools. Although The process Of edu'
cation on one day in the week appears slow,
vet it is sure, and many Of the scholars make
rapid improvement.
Should this glorious plan go into opera.
zion, what sublime spectacle will be exhibited
throughout the State. Thousands OF persons
Of both sexes, and various ages, will be collect
ed on the same day, in every part of the State,
for the purpose of mental, moral and religious
improvement. Where ignorance and vice now
abound, knowledge and virtue will much more
abound. Instead of neighborhoods resounding
on the Lords Day with merriment and profa-
nation, they will be filled with the praises and
worship Of that Merciful God Sin whom we
live and move, and have our being" and whose
we ough, to be. Temples dedicated 10 The liv'
ing God will be erected in every neighborhood,
and from these temples will proceed Joy and
love and harmony, and mental, moral and hea-
yenly fruits. Ii seems 10 me that this plan
embraces the a,dently desired era OF philanlhro>
pists who have looked forward with delight to
the time when every citizen of our republic
would have the means Of improvement. in know
ledge. The leading wish Of our statesmen has
been, 10 bring justice to every mans door,
This plan brings education 10 every man in the
community. 1t emphaticaEy brings in its
train the golden age. Our ancestors, by their
blood and valor, have purchased for us re-
public and liberty. Virtue and knowledge form
the foundations Of the durability of republics.
1t is our duty, therefore, TO disseminate virtue
and knowledge amongst every class OF citizens
without exception, aud i, would seem that this
plan has been designed by Heaven, for the per-
pe.ua,ion ofour republican institutions "Fio-
lence shall no more be heard in thy land, vast
ing nor destruction within thy borders; but
thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates
praise" feel a perfect confidence that this
system will be carried into operation in every
part of the state. l rejoice in the glorious
though, that this plan in polh, Of excellence,
far transcends any other sytem which has been
devised. In the execution Of this plan The hap
piness of vast number Of immortal souls is
consulted. By its fundamentally, thousands
Of sons and daughters will be saved from de-
graduation and ruin; society in all its bearings
will be immensely benefited. 1t will tend in
great degree to redeem man from his los, estate
and place him in that relation 10 his heavenly
Father which revelation is designed TO produce.
1, is plan Of general and extensive benevo'
ence. 1t eomprehends that sublime Charity
which embraces the temporal and eternal wei.
fare of our fellow beings. The substantial in
teres,s Of the common veal is indissolubly con-
nected with the commencement and prosecu-
ton Of this noble system. 1t behovcs benevo-
lent men, in every order Of society, to apply
their thoughts to the early consideration of this
subject, and to give to it the weight of their i'm
Auence of which it is in every respect worthy.
This system presents no difficulties which
cannot be overcome. Like all untred under
takings, it seems to present TO the mind objec.
:ions which may star,le the imagination. How
can such schools be. established in parts where
they have never excited attentions? How is it
possible 10 arrange counties into convenient
distances for school houses? Is there suffi-
cheney Of pious and moral men TO commence
and assist in the execution of,hi plan? These
questions and many more will naturally obtrude
themselves. But questions of similar nature
no doubt occurred when Sunday Schools were
first undertaken in the Towns. We do not
suppose that they will be filled Immediately
Teachers and Scholars are gradually increas-
ed--Parel,s and guardians see the immense
beae6,s resulting from them, and consider it
Their duty to send their children-The latter
lin little while become pleased with their at.
tendance, and in making improvement they &C
quire fondness fol- knowledge. An interchange
of friendship exists between teacher and scho-
lar. Their minds are gradually expanded
Another question may arise, who shall begin
the experiment? 1t is the duty Of all parents,
I'll ardiaps and masters. who are concerned