Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-25
For the Phenix Gazette.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

For the Phenix Gazette.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Tn. immense Importance Of Sunday schools
is acknowledged by all who are acquainted with
their excellent effects. The children OF The
moor and sick, are not only taught the eieTen>
,ary principles ofspelling and reading, but they
are especially taught their duty 10 God their
Creator, and to their fellow man. Thousands
of the young, 10 this manner. are every Sabbath
day laugh, the knowledge Of God, as 1t |" IN
Chris, Jesus our Lord. The principles Of rel-
cion and morality are inculcated into their ten
der minds, and they are thus taught the way
that lesGe,h to eternal Lille. In cities, these
schools have succeeded equal to the most san
euine expectations Of the friends oil pisty and
virtue. Whether any schools OF this descrip-
ton have been established a, all, or to what e1-
tent, in the country parts Of Virginia, or any
other State, the writer has no information. He
supposes thar plan might be adopted, by
which their beneficial effects could be realized,
in places distant from towns aud cries. Sup
pose, IN the centre Of every three miles square,
or any convenient distance, there should be
SUNDAY school, il the house Of some pious or
moral person, throughout every county IN the
State, how astonishing would be the Effects
The wilderness would indeed blossom as gar
den. They would meet here for the double pur-
nose Of having children instructed In the ART CT
reading aud other useful knowledge, and oil
worshipping and remembering their Creator IN
the days Of their youth.-They would be taught
10 read, and know the word, viii and mind OF
God. They would thus be put into the way OF
becoming good citizens Of the republic, and
""-rT'.''~--' 1N
Of the Sabbath being spent in a manner disho-
norable to the character OF Jehovah, ADD inju-
rious To- ,he morals OF children, they would be
laugh, to revere and love their Heavenly Fa-
Their, and to become useful and valuable mem
bers Of society.
Many noble genius is destroyed Ter the
want Of the facility of ob,ainipg proper edu-
cation many poor youth grows up in ignor-
anca and sin, for want Of the means OF insiruc-
lion. The plan Of Sunday schools is so cheap,
that every person in the community can con-
tribute mite. The expense Of . sehoolmastrr
i. dispensed with; aud although the education
is comparatively limited, yet a sufiicieney IS
taught to enable The scholars, by the applica
ton OF their own industry and talents, TO i'm
prove themselves in the acquisition Of further
knowledge. There is laid excellent founda-
ton, On which they may build mos, useful and
eternal superstructures. Their house was found
ed on q rock, and the winds blew, and The TEN
pests beat upon tn at house, and it stood. The
distance of the school room from the bounda-
ries Of the neighborhood, may be SO short as
TO render walking agreeable 20 the scholars.-
In every Wtighborhood there may b. found pi'
Gus or moral men who would be willing to
spare their houses for such instruction, and to
become teachers. In few years these schol.
ars would grow up in the. knowledge of their
God, and dispense light and happiness around
them. BY the use of such means, not only the
moral and Intellectual face of county, out
that of n whole State, would be changed Ii
will be granted by every reasonable man, shat
the fear Of the Lord is the beginning Of wis
dom," and how all important itis'to implant
this fear into the young and tender mind. The
growing youths will be the future guardians
and legislators Of our beloved country. Our
revolutionary sires, who lavished their blood
and treasure for our independence, are nearly
gone, and their heartfelt sire must be for the
perpe,ua.ion Of our lber,ie,-civil, political
and religious. What nobler plan could they
desire to efEsc, their benevolent wish! 1t is
certain that "righ,eousuess exalteth nation,
BUT that sin is reproach to any people," And
what syst.m is better calculated % promote
righteousness, and to expei sin from our Dor
der.! The system Of Sunday schools, as a,
present adopted, could easily be introduced
The forms or their constitutions can easily be
obtained From primary, would result county
.ssociations--thes Sc could be united into State