Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-09

From more than 6fty year, obser.
vstion. ] am convinced that words O,
names often have moro Influence on
the mass Of men than things. and tina,
the abuse and misapplication Of term,
may counterset the best. aud promote
the vorsf. political measures.
will take this opportunity 10 re.
mark on q peculiarly in the institution
OF the Cirard College. II I am moi
misinformed. according TO the will Of
the founder. the Christian religion can.
not be made a subject Of instruction.
and clergymen are precluded from be-
ing trustees. and from having any con-
Germ with the education OF the pupils.
Now. sir. in my view. the Christian
religion 10 the most important and one
Of the first things In which all children,
under free government. ought to be
Instructed. In this institution it is oil
more importance. As the pupils will be
orphans. and may be destitute Of pa.
rental instruction.
No truth is moro evident TO nv
mind, than that the Christian religion
must be the basis Of any government
intended to secure the rights and priv
ileges Of free people. The opinion
that human reason, left without the
constant control Of Divine laws and
commands. will preserve . Just admin
istrstion. secure freedom. and other
rights. RESTRAIN men from violations OF
laws and constitutions. and give dura-
ton TO popular government. il as CHI
merical rs the most exiravagant ideas
that enter the head Of a maniac. The
history Of the whole world refu,es the
opinion; the Bible reiutes it; our own
melancholy experience refutes il.
When | speak Of the Christian reli-
gion as the basis Of government. / do
not mean an scclesiastical establish
ment, . creed, or rites, forms, and cere
monies, or any compulsion Of con.
science. i mean primitive Christian
ty. in its simplicity, as taught by Christ
and his apostles; consisting in belief in
the being, Projections. and moral 60.
vernment Of God; in the revelation of
his will to men, as their supreme rule
Of action; in mans accountability TO
God for his conduct in this life; and in
the indispensable obligation Of all men
TO yield entire obedience IN Gods
commands in the moral law and in the
Gospel. This belief and this practice
may consist with different forms Of
Church government. which. not being
essential 10 Christianity, need not en-
ter into any system Of education.
Where will you find any code Of
laws among civilized men. in which
the commands and prohibitions are not
founded on Christian principlesi I
need not specify the prohibition of
murder, robbery, theft. tresspass; but
commercial and social regulations are
all derived from those principles, or IN
tended TO enforce them. The laws OF
contracts and bills OF exchang. are
founded on the principles Of justice,
the basis Of all security Of rights in So
ciety. The laws OF insurance are
founded on the Christian principle Of
benevolence. and intended TO pro,ec,
men from want and distress. The pro.
visions OF Law FOR the relief Of the poor
are IN pursuance Of Christian princi-
pies. Every wise code Of laws must
embrace the main principles Of the re-
ligion OF Christ.
Now. the most efficient support Of
human laws, IS. the full belief that the
subjects Of such laws are accountable
TO higher authority than human tribu-
pals. The halter and the peniteniiary
may restrain many men from overt
criminal acts; but il is the fear Of God
and reverence for his suthori,y and
commands, which alone can conlroul
and subdue the will. when tempted by
ambition and interest 20 violate the
laws. Whatever superficial observers
may think. j; Is beyond question. that
the small band Of real Christians IN
Protestant countries has more influence
in securing order and peace in society
.ha0 all the civil officers Of govern
ment just ~ proportion az the infu.
enee Of such men - impaired. - the
increase Of crimes and ouirages upon
the rights Of individuals aud upon the
public peace.
IL has been misfortune 90 the oiti-
Eens Of this country, that. from their
abhonsnee Of their eetlenasiicsl ~.
Tanny of certain orders Of the clergy 10
Europe. they have contracted strong
Prejudiees against the clergy IN Ihls
eoURiry. Sho have neither rank nor
temporal power. add whose influence
70 derived solely from their personal At.
ia'nments and worth. and :heir official
services.
The clergy in this country Or. gene.
rally men Of learning end Of good prin-
eiPles. They have been uniformly and
Pre-eminenlly the friends Of education
and Of civil liberty. The learned clergy
among the 6Fsl settlers Of New EDg
land had great influence 10 founding
the hrss genuine republican govern
msnts ever formed. aud which, Ei.h
al The faults and defects Of the men
snd their laws. were the best Tepuhli.
can governments on earth. At this
moment the people Of this country ere
indebted chiefly 10 their institutions for
the rights and privileges which M en-.