Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-04-28
commUNIcATIoN.
FOR THE FREE PRESS.
% 'Tis Education forms the eommon mind.
Just ~ the t~iE 10 bent, the trees inslin'd."


" Tie Education forms the eommos mind.
Just ~ the t~iE 10 bent. the trees insiin'd."
There is no subject, perhaps, in the
CHRISTIAN or civilized world. that has
been more seriously deliberated upon.
than that Of Educahon-and nothing
that has occupied the judgment Of the
Philosopher. Statesman, and Divine, has
so generally failed Of success. Every
gentleman wishes to see his son exhi-
bit extraordinary powers Of mind, and
make figure in the literary, political.
scientific. or christian world; and every
lady desires for her daughter. amiable
manners, charming colloquisl powers.
and the accomplishments of the mind
and yet. how few the number, compar-
atively speaking. whose anticiPations
are ever realized. What is the true
cause, and under what circumstances
this general failure happen, il is the OBJ
ject Of the present enquiry to ascertain.
II is no less true, than q melancholy
fact, that the human mind is, by nature,
more inclined 10 the pleasures and prac-
tice OF vice. than to the love and pur-
suit Of virtue. The virtues and vices
Of children do not appear TO arise so
much from reflection, conviction, and
principle. as from physical sensibility.
accidental situation, the example Of
others, and their own habits. Sense.
appetite, and passion, in children, ex-
ert nearly their full force, before reason
attains its maturity. And whether q
child is to grow TO the years Of discre-
ton, and then bow to the tyranny OF
the passions, depend, in great mea-
sure, upon the discipline Of early life.
II is perfect folly 10 leave children to
the pursuit Of their own inclinations,
with an expectation that "they will do
better when they get old enough to
have more sense" We all know the
difficulty Of surmounting habits Of long
standing: They grow with our growth.
and strengthen with our strength :" and
although the child may grow 10 the age
Of maturity, and learn TO kioio better,
yet IL is very questionable whether he
will be able to diVest himself Of his old
customs, and control his habits, so as 10
make them yield TO his better judg.
ment. And hence il is that external
authority becomes necessary TO our
children, till their own understanding
is capable Of directing their conduct.
The judgment Of those Of greater expe-
rience and wisdom, and the commands
Of their superiors, must at first conSti-
tute their chief rule Of action their SUI
preme law in morals, a. well ~ man
ners--in the practice Of religion, a.
well a. in the pursuit Of science. And
this is the true ground Of that unlimited
power with which nature has invested
the parent over his offspring. II is the
justification OF that high authority
which be finds il necessary To dele yate
10 the preceptoF Of bis son. Generally.
the pFecept Is good. Choose that
which is most excellent, and custom
will render il easy and dslighiful'--
The fondness Of parents for their chill
dFen is sometimes unworthy, and espe-
cially in the mother. Solomon saith,
"A wise son rejoieeth the father, bui
an ungraeious son shames the mother
A son is not likely to become wise by
indulgence, nor very gracious by graft.
6eaiion in Ell his wbims. Dryden hai
said, that " God never made bis work
for man 20 mend" Bot this must be re-
garded rather a. The license Of a poet
than the accuracy Of philosopher, be-
cause the accidental injuries 10 health,
and the neutral inhrmities Of the con
slitution, may be frequently Fectihed
and amended by medicine, temperance
and habit. Add even the creative f..
Guilty itself Gays Ms. Bonnycaslle) may
be improved By exercises. The intel
lectual faculties cOnlsssedly owe Their
beh powers shd gyestsst value TO edu-
caiion and exercise The violence o
constitutional passions may be PFevent
ed BY prudence and reelection from
iransgressirg the bounds Of innocence
and the vefy essence d good moral
depends upon our own culture and oul
own eKeuioas.
Thus sppear 81 once the ProPTieiy
. and The necessity o. many 81 our mos
'linportant duties; the means and ths
difficulty a acquiring those qualiiiel
and merits, 70 which oaly fntaEs ~.
ward hes been pgosaissdi and Tie tns'
ice snd squity q thss responsibility 10