The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-15
RELIGION AND EDUCATION.
CHARLES +. SEARLE,
FRANCIS l.. DANFoRTH,
Secretaries.


1t has been sad that there is less of religion, and
State in New England Without enquiring into
the truth of tins assertion let us admit 1t to be so,
for the prcseut purpose If then Rhode-lsland be
deficient in what is called Religion, and Education,
in other countries, will not the whole proselytlng
race of every sect, cry, out so muth the BETTER 1t
is easier they always say, to make good Christian
out of unbelicvcr, than out of false-believer
and ALL are false-belcvers who differ from the sect
sitting IN judgment for the time.
So if she lack education, as it is generally under
stood, and have merely, the elementary knowledge
of writing, and reading, with little of arithmetic,
all wise men will say, that she is the freezer from pre-
judicc, and more open to the truth, whenever it
may dawn upon the carh and to put to shame the
great, and learned ugglers, who have so long kept
it mt the bottom of well, where they pmposely
placed it. To unlcarn, is more difficult than to
learn, and perhaps, this may explain the meaning
oftha passage in the Scriptures, which says, Bless
ed the poor in spirit"
With all our American prepossesion, and national
pride, cannot deny that Europe is yet far ahead
of us, in what is called learning. We know that
this learning, has advanced with equal steps, with
what they, and we call the arts of civilization. We
know too, what this civilized state is. 1t consists
of Poetry, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music
costly attire luxury of this table, and the endless
list of sensual, and intellectual enjoymens. To
say nothing of the luxury of war; by which we
slaughter our neighbors or the luxury of gambling
! by which ruin our friends
European civilization, after which we now in
full chase, consists too, in the great art of making
the worse appear the better cause; aud so decora-
ting falsehood, as to make it appear like truth In
making the people Instrumental to their own misery
and degradaton,-paying for rods to scourge their
own backs In making the people pay, without
knowing it, for all the luxuries and refinements
above, which exclusively enjoyed by the favored
few without excepting the luxury of wars; for
which the people pay with their person, as well as
with their purses.
All this is high civilization, and refinement; and
it does confess, require much learning TO accom-
plsh such miracles. But must be allowed to doubt
whether those who have calculated on that learning
which has produced these effects in Europe, being
equal to the same task here will not be wofuy mis-
taken. | have lived long among the European
industrious classes in America, the savage is in
ferior to the civilized man. No, the old learning
, will not answer the same purpose here new books
$ must be had and statesmen must be formed, al
a much superior to Machiayel ms he was to DaviC
4 Crockett
In the same degree our people superior tt
the European people, must be superior to the art
of deception, those who would defraud them of thei
n rights.
Blessed indeed arc those Rhode-Islanders, VIII
have thus far escaped the degrading influence o
d false religion, and false, and sinister education
a The schoomaster is abroad, and fortunately he
II neither paid, or controlled by the deoeirers; hi
primer, is natures first page and his commentary
History. The interest of the many is his object, au
!, end; and his means truth in all things, prove
. by the effects which his lessons may have on til
IS rorfdty prosperity of the greatest uumbers,-o
II those who work with their hands. He is not un
u mindful of their moral good, or future happiness
but he builds his hopes for these, very wisely, o
). their physical comfort, knowing WELL that he VIII
taught us to say, deiirer us from temptation, kne
well that poverty, was the harbinger of every temp
tation; aud therefore he espoused the cause Of t
n poor, and finally raised them above their heathe
a masters.
" The schoolmaster is indeed abroad and a hol,
q and invisible one he is. Long enough have fal:
religion, and perverted science conspired again