The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-02-14

no, preventing what was thought IN iejuri
ous resort 10 the exercises IN question, though
they were not wholly without effect, in rela.
ton to some of them; the parents exercised
their unquestionable right Of withdrawing
their children from their inducnce.
Here follows part Of tho resolutions.
Resolved, That we regret and lament, that
a portion Of the people Of this town, disre.
qarding the good example Of our fathers, and
disrespccting the government, assumed to
make public exhibition Of fasting and hu-
initiation, on the day set apart by the appro-
pirate public authority, for religious cxercis-
e., Of an opposite character, and that in the
opinion OF this meeting, the above mentioned
singular and uncalled for act, met the very
decided disapprobation Of a great msjority Of
the people Of this town.
Resolred, That we disspprove of prayers
to Almighty God for the sudden death Of in
diyiduals; and that we know of no warrant
| in the example of the Great huthor Of the re.
ligon of the Gospel, for public prayers. that
individuals or classes Of men, may be afflicted
with deprivation Of their faculties.
Resolged, That we disapprovc Of the prac.
tics ofmaking disparsging and censorioul
mention Of individuals, either BY name, OF b.
srs and sermons; and that there IL reason 10
believe that this practice is sometimes charge
able upon a motive to provoke resentment, il
order that the aggressors may have an op
portunity 10 cry out '.pcrsecution" when they
have only met just Indignation.
Resolved, That while we heartily approve
Of such devotional exercises in schools fol
children, ss have been usual, among the peo
Iolo md skn.n s..l~
decended, yet we distinctly recognise the
right ofparents to dissent from the introduct.
ion, into such schools, of singular and pecu.
liar operations, opinions and exercises, which
are at variance with the belief Of large mum.
bers Of protesting christians; and we regre,
and lament. that the most mild and quiet ex.
ercise OF this sacred right, should have beer
thought to justify violent denunc iation ant
personal abuse from the Desk, in the course
of profsssed public worship and religion,
teaching. 80
Resolvsd, That the relation of husbsn,
and wife 10 at once the most important, an,
tho most sacred Of the relations Of civil so
ciety; and that the practice of employing tn,
influence of,he clergy, and the occasions o
religious meetiDgs, to oxtort from wives
confessions, declarations and statemen nts, res
pecting the religious opinions and practice
Of their husbands, in an outrageous invasion
OF the most dslicste and sacred private rights
end direct and certsin means of creating
diseord and misery in families.
Rssolved, That the practice Of clsndes
| timely introducing tracts into the houses o
persons who believe that the doctrines they
ineulcste are injurious to the morals ftheiI
children, for whose education, they slone arr
responsible, 10 sn epcroachment upon private
rights. which calls for the decided dissppro
baton Of this meeting.
Rtsolred, That the Chairman and Secre
tsiy bs requested to sign tho proceedings o
this meeting; and that the same be published d
and that Samuel Hecox, William Sisson snt
John Adams be committee to procure sucl
| publication. ~
WILLIAM SISSON, Chm.
ROBERT w. ASHLEY, Sec'ry.