Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-01

u We present to readers this evening the
plan of Sunday School, which 1t is proposed to
establish in this city, and which seems to us to me.
rit the patronage of liberal public. Even those
who do not approve it, fail to be struck with
the force and beauty of the composition.
We live in u time of high Religious excitement.
Many who themselves friends of the Christian
Religion, and ardently desire its benevolent
and humanizng spirit diffused over all the earth
are alarmed at the scctaran violence and tanaticsm
which have of late been conspicuous, and at the
disposition to encroach religious liberty, an! the
rights OF society, plainly revealed within
short time past, than at any previous period. None
can be SO weak to apprchcnd at present, any di-
rect attempt at the establishment of Hierarchy:
but who shall say what tho next age may not wit
ness; If zealots are permitted to WELD the whole
force which tie instruction of youth places in the
hands Of their instructors? And what is the nigh
ty difference of being subjected to the direct rule
of an established church, ana being the subjects of
the priesthood controlled IN all our social and do
mestc relations, by their unassertcI indeed but not
the less strong and nsuperablo influence?
It we believe; not less true than shameful and
melancholy, hat Sunday Schools, so excellent in
their original design, which have produced so much
good, and contributed perhaps more than any other
single means to the general diffusion of education
have in many instances been corrupted into mere
Instruments Of intoxicating Sectarianism We
have heard that in certain Church, and through
out the Union in all it's Sunday Schools not only
the pupils required to read particular books onl
but those books must come from a particular
Press owned by that Society in Now York!
Are these facts so? We do not assert them
We ask for information. If they are so,
does not the design clearly reveal itself? Is not
that design manifestly, to inculcate the principles
and dogmas of that Sect upon those children who
are sont by their parents, not to be initiated in
Sectarianism, but TO imbibe instruction which may
enlighten their conduct in after life, and qualify
them to choose for themselves what is good, and
reject what is bad? How is it that the Roman Ca
tholic Clergy acquire that influence, which in Ro
man Catholic Countries has been found omnip
otent? How, but that the slavish dogmas of that
Church are stamped upon the mind Of infancy,
with impression unassailablc and une rasablo, by
reason and argument7 Let Religion flourish
let the Christian Religion fourisl--let Baptsts
flourish, Prosbyterians flourish, Episcopalians
flourish-let all flourish! but let one and all
flourish, by fair means. Let no one of them
abuse tho trust of the Community, and per
vert Sunday Schools, whittier children are sent
to learn reading, writing and cyphering, into
St. Omors into Scctariau Summaries It
is not fair, it is not liberal.
We mean no offence to any denomination, We do
not consider ourselves treading on forbidden
ground, for education falls within the limits of po
litics. We know however, we are on delicate
ground; but if any take offence, we appeal from
Sect to tho community.
For THE WHO.
otis education forms the iontbC,I mind
inst aS the ttoig IS bent ne trees iprliad."
Man is more or less the creature Of circumstan.
ccs. y catholic in France, protestant in Amcri.
ca, mabometan in Persia Crock christian in
Russia
If this position be true, on the present system
Of Sunday School education prevails is there man
of liberal and enlightened mind who does not
look forward with fearful apprehension 10 the esta
blishment Of an hierarchy, in this highly favored
land, at no distant date7
| lis in vain that are reminded that by the
constitution and laws Of our state every ma IN is
protected in his religious principles, and that rs VIC
are secured against established religion, each
is at liberty to worship God after Che dictates
! Of hs own conscience. &" Much more remains 10
| bo done for though wo arc free by law, we are not
in practice: public opinion crccts itself into IN
inquisiton ind exercises its Office with much IA
/ na.icisn1 az fans the flames Of an auto DC fcu
SO long as the education OF the rising geuer,tion
shall he committed to persons interested in estaj-
fishing religious Gogmas, 50 long will attempts be
made 20 mould the minds Of our childrcnto recop.
misc the principles Of implicit faith and ssrve ac
;. onssoence. Instead Of children being instructed
in the elementary branches Of an EnghsE education
| sffording foundation for future Improvement and
thereby enabling them 70 think and udc for them
selves upon ell matters important 20 their happiness
their Efforts exclusively directed 70 trsasurin;