Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-04-05

1t may be said that the clergy are big
oted men, and often engaged in contro,
versy. But other classes of men are la
bic to the same imputa;ion; and nothing
IN the haracter of clergymen furnishes a
good reason for prescribing their aid in
the education Of youth.
Clergymen differ chiefly on speculative
points in religion: in the fundamental
points to which my description of religion
is limited, they are probably all united ;
and in support of them they would join in
solid phalanx to resist the inroads of H.
centousness.
The foundation of all free government,
and of all social order must be laid in
families, and in the discipline of youth
Young persons must not only be furnish
ed with knoaOLcdge, but they must be ac-
customed to subordination, and subjected
to the authority and influence of good prin-
ciples. 1t will avail little that youths are
made to understand truth and correct
principles, unless they are accustomed to
submit to be governed by them. The
speculative princip pies Of natural religion
will have little effect, or none at all, IN.
less the pupil is made 10 yield obedience
to the practical laws of Christian morality
and the practice of yielding such obcji-
cnce must be familiar, and wrought into
habit of early life. or the instruction of
teachers will, for the most part, be lost on
their pupils. TO give efficiency to such
a course Of education, the pupil must be-
Iieve himseIfto be accountable for his &C.
tons to the Supreme Being, as well as 10
human laws; for, without such belief no
dependence can be had upon his fidelity
to the laws. wen urged to violate them
by strong pass: ons; or by the powerful
temptations Of present advantage The
experience Of the whole world evinces that
all the restraints Of religion and law arc
often insufficient 10 control the selfish and
malignant passions of men. Any system
Of education, therefore, which limits in
struetion to arts and sciences, and rejects
the aids Of religion, in forming the charac-
ter of citizens, is essentially defective.
In giving this view ofmy opinion, am
aware that I expose myself to the obIoquv
of modern philosophers. But this | dis
regard for | have, in support of my
opinions, the experience of the whole
civilized world, as well as the proofs pre-
scented by inspired truth, from the begin.
ming to the end of the Bible; that book
which the benevolent Creator has furnish
ed for the express purpose of guiding
human reason in the path of safety, and
the only book which can remedy, or essen
tally mitigate the evils of Iicentiou<
world
From full conviction Of these truths
| firmly believe that without materia
changes in the principles now prevalen
in the United States, our Republican Gov
eminent is destined to be ofshort duration
An attempt to conduct the affairs of {
free government with wisdom and i'm
Partially, and to preserve the Just right.
OF all classes of citizens, without the gui
dance Of divine precepts, will eertainI,
end in disappointment. God is the su
preme moral Governor of the world h,
has made; and as he himself govern
with perfect rectitude, he requires his ra
tional creatures to govern themselves i,
like manner Ifmen will not submit t.
be controlled by his laws, he will punisI
them by the evils resulting from Meiir oac
disobedience.
Be pleased, sir to accept the respects {
your obedient servant, N. WEBSTER.