Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-07-07
From the Common School Assistant.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

be an important duty, from the influence
it exerts on the happiness of this life, as
we'll as that which is to come. 1t is a
point conceded, even by infdels them
selves, that virtue increases happiness and
vice occasions misery. Heather philoso-
piers have labored to convince their dis
eiples of this truth, and to persuade them
to be virtuous for the sake of the benefit
they would derive from the practice of
virtue in the present life The experience
of the world proves that they were not
mistaken in their opinions. Their cor
rectness is acknowledged by the vicious
themselves. Those who are given to ha-
bitual vices of any kind, must constantly
be under the influence of evils from which
the virtuous are free. Now it is as GER
tain that the natural propensity of man in
clines him TO deviate from the paths Of
moral rectitude, as that the stone hurled
from the mountain summit inclines to the
plains below. 1t is the department ofmor.
al culture to check this propensity. 1t is
designed to lay restraint on the passions,
and guide the footsteps in the paths of vir-
tue. Besides keeping in view the prima-
ny object, the renovation Of the heart,
christian education is designed 10 found
various habits which will tend to promote
enjoyment in this world Among these,
a conscientious regard to truth is of pre-.
eminent Importance Children very ear
ly seem inclined to form habits of decep-
ton and lying, Ifthis inclination becomes
settled, and grows with the growth and
strengthens with the strength" it is evil
dent that it must una voidably draw, in its
train, many other sins, and be attended
with ruinous consequences The liar
can never be happy. He has no conf
dence IN himself and is disposed to sus-
| pect others. He cannot have the conf
dence of those around him He is~nu
believed even when he speaks the truth"
Next to truth, it is important that the child
he taught to be scrupulous1y Just. He
should be cautioned against promising
What he cannot perform but what he has
promised, if within the bounds of reason,
he should be taughtto do. Every child
should be taught 10 pay all his debts, and
fulfil all his contracts, exactly in the man.
ner, completely in the value, and punctu-
ally at the time. Every thing which he
has borrowed heshould be obliged to re-
turn, uninjured, at the time; and every
f thing belonging to others, which he has
lost, he should be required to replace In
! this manner, he will grow up to that sense
Ofjustice, without which it is impossible
: for virtue TO consist" and without which
1t is impossible for him to enjoy the APP
probation of his own conscience.
Habits of strict morality should be as
siduously cultivated. as an important
means Of qualifying one for the enjoyment
Of this world.
"Morality begun in truth, and advanced
! in justice, is finished in kindness. The
minds of children may easily be rendered
I kind, by a wise cultivation; and by want
. Of it they will become unfeeling and cru
4 e] Children should be taught, the first
s moment they are capable Of being taught,
e a livel y tenderness for the feelings the
z suherings, and happiness, of all beings
j. with whom they are conversant. The
! emperor Domitian has proved that cruelty,
J. when itcannot satiate itselfon human mis-
cry, can lie gratifed even with the death
= Of flies. Children should be taught inva-
h riably to exercise kindness to animals,
and to shun cruelty even to an insect."-
8 Habits Of truth, justice, and kindness, will
S invariably have great effect on personal
l. happiness. If children are not taught to
j. cultivate them, they must be unhappy, in
proportion as these are neglected. The
q habit of self-government, and of cheerful
, submission to wholesome restraint and SAL
J. utary laws, is of high importance. He
l. that hath no rule over his own spirit, is
y like city broken down and without
wals' This is the picture drawn by in
s. SEPARATION, of those who have no command
!, over their passions. Nothing could rep
n resent, in a stronger manner, the misery
e of such state.-[R. S. HALL.
n PHILADELPHIA BIBLE CONVENTION.
ID Circular Of the Committee appointed In
ot the Hartford Conference, April 2eth,
A. 1885, to call Bible Contention IN
" Philadelphia, the last Wednesday Of
or April, 1887.
r The undersigned as the Committee
e. above mentioned, have to announce to the
u, public along with the do'ngs OF the Con
. ference at Hartford, that the American b.
of bic Society at their Anniversary on the
e. 18th of MAY last approved OF the doings Of
e. their MANAGERS, which cut of all reason
o. able hope of further aid in publishing
TRANSACTIONS made on the primer pies which
st. we have ever felt bound to adopt, in Civ
IN ing to the heather the Holy Scriptures