The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-07-27
FOR THE STAR.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

The smallest degree Of observation is enough to
discover the powerful agency Sunday Scho ,ls
must have. if rightly managed, in promoting the
great cause ofvirtue and religion. As the twig is
bent the tree grows-so will first impressions more
or less give character to subsequent life. But the
facility ofimpression peculiar to youthful minds,
makes it doubly important that no alloy be min
gled with their instruction. All know the danger
drinking tares with precious grain, and the difficult
ty Of eradicating them without fatal INJURY to
much Of the growing wheat. A field exclusive
ly covered with vile weeds, may at once be sub
dued by the agency Of the plough share; The iniu-
ence Of example and precepts, entirely penicious,
admit a general, sweeping attack; but if parental
advice and Sunday School instruction, mixes evil
with good, the injury can hardly be repaired
Hence, every Sunday School teacher should be
particularly careful to impart no instruction to his
pupils, but such as proceeds from the pure foun-
tains ofthas morality and religion, exemplifed in
the life and doctrines OF our blessed Saviour This
rule excludes every thing ofa sectarian character
No tenet called "peculiar or distinguishing has
any business in Sunday School neither should
metaphysical speculations on any subject be intro
duced. The object in view there, is not to make
prosolytes to any faith order or establishment T.
the chief concern should be to improve the hear, Of
the pupil. and prepare him to rightly discharge the
various duties Of life. Ifany attempt is made to
docrinate children, they will soon discover it, and
Immediately attribute all the pains of the teacher
to party interest and ofconrse bo dsgusted at the
imposition or become as hypocritcal as the teach
er. No matter how much circumlocution is used,
children are quick in searching out motives and
probing intentions.
Ifthen, the legitimate business Of Sunday School
instruction is to promote the general cause Of vr-
tue and religion, the rivalry in different schools
should in oil cases be limited to the strife of doing
goOd all their proceedings should result from de-
sire to benefit the pupil, rather than the Society,"
by which he is instructed The interest ofreIision
as il regards the great family ofmankind, not as il
exclusively concerns one little subdivision of the
| church should stimulate the efforts of the Sunday
School teacher This is a Catholic (not Roman Cath
olic) institution il seeks the good Of ALL to the in
jury Of none. Therefore, the truly benevolent
teacher, in hs essays to do good in this way, will
10 out" into the highways and hedges" and gath
er in those who from ignorance or Indifference neg
lect to voluntarily avail the privileges of Sabbath
instruction. Those for "whose souls no man seems
to care" WI be the first and favorie objects of
search he never will seek to sntice children who
attend o,he, schools to ieaoe hem and join his,-
but rather exhon them to diligence; neither will be
persuade parents to ,rausfer their offspring from
schools Of other societies. No no acts more in O.
bcdience TO the spirit Of his calling, than 10 thus
enter into other men labos," and thereby en-
courage the gnnsayor, who will be sure to cry Sec