Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-07-21
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

AT the late meeting held in New York
to consider the cxpedicncy Of establish
ing Sunday Schools throughout the Val
ley of the Mississippi, tho Hon. MIR. FIRE.
LINGnUYsEN delivered the following
speech:-
cit is nearly eighteen centuries since
our Blessed Redeemer, with the benig-
nifty of heart alive to the miseries of
humanity, fixed his eyes upon group OF
little children; and that his friends through
all future time, might be animated by an
example urgent as the condescension OF
God, he took them in his arms and bless
ed thcm.--Then, as often since, such
touching notice was deemed misplaced
compassion. But He, who knew what
was in man, rebuked the spirit that muir
INJURED at his regard for these Interesting
objects. He who had formed the body
and endowed the immortal mind, whose
scrutiny reached the secret place of mo-
two, and the fountain springs Of hope and
desire; who traced the lines ofmoral OBJ
legation through all their windings-He,
perfectly appreciated the almost absolute
control which the moral cultivation and
discipline of childhood cxcrted upon the
character of future life and destiny. by
his own example he pointed his church
to this cventful stage of being, as devel-
oping the most fruitful sources ofblessed-
ness or woe. But, sir, the lesson seem
ed to have been inculcated in vain. For
instead of engaging assiduous and pray
eriul solicitude, this has been the age OF
all others, the most left to its own native
tendencies. Our Savior pointed out his
regards to childhood, that we might there
bestow our best cares. AS ifhc had said,
if you wish the stream to be pure, look
well to the fountain: if you desire the
blossom to be fair and healthlul, shield
the bud from him.-We have inverted
this salutary lesson. The whole moral
machinery for many ages has not, in any
Of its departments, been fitted for child
hood; all its agencies have been direct
cd over the head of children. We have
called it the season Of innocence, and
left it to run to waste. The mother has
kissed off the tear from the cheek Of her
little prattlor, and often felt as ifan an
gel wcpt. While we have cherished
T., this fond deception, Satan has been SOW
ing the bitter seeds of depravity. lie
met the young idea, as itstrugglcd into
life, and wickedly confirmed its corrupt
inclination. lie, ,unresisted prepared the
mould for future character. And when
the youth dawncd, it came with such Vi
COR and stubbornncss in sin, with such q
fixcdness of choice for evil, as sadly c.
vinced the efficient and dreadful agency
that had been at work.
The Sunday school has broken the de-
lusion; and now we wonder at our inlat-
uation. We knew before, that the i'm
pressions of childhood were deep and i'm
delible; that they seemed to add instinct
to meSory: that they endured through
the turmoil and sorrows of manhood, and
often outlivcd the infirmitics Of dotagc.
But yet, till this blessed engine was set
in motion we had neglected the applica-
ton ofsuch powerfullacilitiesto to the cause
of truth and virtue. Now, he who runs
may read, how full of promise, and how
iraught with blessings is the grand scheme
OF mercy. Sir, strikes home TO the very
root of evil. 1t meets the first breaking
out Of corrupt purposes, enlightens and
exhorts to duty, pleads against sin, and
saves from death. firmly believe, that
God intends 1t to be ono great means of