The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1834-07-19
w A r r. Il n

FOR THE STAR.
MORAL INFLUENCE OF EDUCATION.
NUMBER THREE.
Not oaly has education exerted an influence far
less decided in favor Of religion, than il should
have done !; but whatever influence it has exsrted
has oAen bsen disregarded or undervalued. Sew
sral causes have tended to produce this effect.
I. Science hos. 10 some instances been unduy
exalted, and place has been claimed for her equal
to that held BY religion. The friends Of religion
hsss Of course fsit n be their duty to resist such
slns sad. iaw - shsss ssns.isss been
Nd to regard science as opposed to religion
Thus, when the actions, If not the words, Of a
large part Of the community proclaimed that they
considered learning to be equally important with
pisty in minister Of Christ, those VINO knew the
power Of religion could not but be sensible that
this was an attempt to nuke science usurp the
rightfal place of religion. Under these circuns-
stances. it was not strange that they should regard
learning in the same light in which the friends Of
tbs rish,ful occupant Of throne would regard one
who should attempt to usurp that throne; in other
words. that they should regard science as enc
my to religion. ca-'-
2. Some occupants Of the pulpit have seemed
more anxious to display their learning than to save
souls. Hence. instead of preaching " Christ and
him cruci6ed, they have given their hearers learned
disquis'ons on the philosophy ofmind the science
of Interpretation, &c. As natural result Of this,
those, who came seeking spiritual nourishment,
have gone away wishing that their minister would
have less science and more religion in his discourse
Co. When those who occupy the sacred desk
thus forget or ncglectthe great object, for which
e! the ministry OF reconciliation" was appointed,
and substitute literary lore for the truth as it is
in Jesus" it is not surprising that whatever is, in
auy way, connected with change so lamen:abe,
should be regarded with suspicion.
8. The few names Of Literary men belonging to
the ranks Of in6deIity, and the few instances, in
which science has seemed to aid the opponents Of
religion, have been proclaimed far and wide; while
of the far greater array on the side Of christianity
lille comparatively has been said. The invcter-
ate malice Of the enemies Of the gospel has prompt
cd them boastfuly to exhibit every advantage
which they supposed they had gained without wait
inq to see whether time would prove it to be real
" favorable TO their cause or not But tho friends
Of the gospel have not been thus obtrusive. They
have not sought to make the utmost display posi-
bio of every learned man who embraced religion,
and every scientific discovery which tended to con
firm the inspiration Of tho Bible. fair investiga-
ton would show that the great names and the dis
eover,es in science, Of which indelity can boast,
are few and ofsmall account compared with those
which may justly be claimed by the friends of
christianity.
1. The detection Of soms learned men among
the p,ofs~ed friends ofthe gospel has produced in
some minds prejudice against learning, as it
has in others prejudice against religion The
departure of such individuals from the faith is un-
Justly imputed to their learning, instead Of being,
attributed, az Il should be, to the incorectness Of
their reasoning, or the depravity Of their hears.-
II IL true that talents and knowledge n,isimproved
have become curse to their professor and to the
world. But this does no. prove that knowledge is
useless (; elae would the detection Of Satan prove
that the knowledge Of angels is useless. In rea-
soning upon this sabjoct we should take into view
not only the instances Of literary men who have
apostatized from the truth, but also those (not
few Of which are on record) Of men who have
been led by scientific researches to embrace the
truth.
kis not easy to contemplate a subject in which
we feel deep interest without allowing some one
ori,s parts cr relations TO occupy more import
ant place in our thoughts than il deserves This
is one great cause of the wide diversity Of views
,sp, exists even amons men 6f sound judgement
ard extensive Information. But, in order to take
correc, view Of any subject, we should examine
il in all its bearings, and impartially contemplate
s,l its parts AID relations. Tint science and re-
,ipoo sustain nun srcus and important relations to
each other, may be- inferred from the fact, thu,
they act on tho two great divisions of our immortal
part, namely the intellectual and the moral pow
en. Lot these relations be fairly and fully inves-
,irated I.st tho claims of science to be regarded
al fiicud Of religion, and the charges which have
been brought asans, her as an enemy be impartialy
examined, and her friends need not fear the result
The damages sustained in the city Of
N. Y. by the firing Of Chinese crackers,
by Children, 10 estisatsd at so 900 dollars