Holly Springs gazette., 1844-02-17

cIsIoa at the polls, earnestly contend
that much more than this must be secured
before we can justly and confidently predict
the safety OF our happy form o. government
Intelligence is one thing-mOraL princl-
pie quite another nor is there any ncceSsa-
~ connection between the two The mind
IS susceptible oil the highest order Of cult
vatIOn. while the moral sense is left 10 all
the wayward impulses Of a corrupt nature
This is a species OF culture not uDfrequentlv
exhibited IN society, rendering the man W no
has been Mus educated candidate for some
dIstine uished place in the calendar of crime
On all this subject, public opinion is
loose, vague auo inde fnie-and this is one
OF the saddest things 10 our national pros
pecis, Garkening the unknown future be-
fore us with clouds of portentous gloom
Tbs most interesting experiment ever tried
in the history of nations, is now IN progress
before our eyts-all our earthly interest are
concerned IN toe isSue-and still there are
vast numbers among us who regard the
progress of this great trial with stolid indif
| ference, or with hopes for its success that
are based upon foundation Of sand.
Public cirtae-not intelligence-is our
only national trust.
| But what is Virtue7 The age of Phi'os
ophy, and even the age Of Natural Religion
| is passed, and nothing is now worthy the
name OF Virtue but that which emanates
| from the Gospel of Christ.
| In the good providence of God, Christi
anity has been recognised by our national
constitution and laws, as the Religion of the
| United States. and the oaihs by which truth
| is vindicated are an appeal to the God OF
the Bible. Most happily for the purity of
| Religion, no oue of the various forms
sumed by Christianity, claims among
any legal superiority over others, and most
wisely the State refuses all alliance with
the Church. We glory in "the voluntary
| principle, the principle to which the
Church looked for support in the earliest
and best days of Christianity, and which
will never fail her so long as Christians are
ut all alive to their duties and responsible
ties. The principles of Christianity are an
| essential part of the national sentiment, and
skeptcs not unfrequently draw from the
| Gospel which they reject. the very primer
pies which render them useful and respec-
table citizens.
| The diffusion then Of the moral princi-
| pies inculcated IN the Gospel-and it is a
system OF Ethics which has constrained the
homage aud reverence of many avowed in
fidels--Is not merely a work Of piety; IL is
a work oflhe purest soundest and most ele-
| gated Pat iotsm. The man who, by pre-
cept or example. seeks to lessen the hold of
these principles upon the minds of his fel-
low-men. not only does violence TO the laws
Of God. but is guilty of moral treason agains:
the liberties of his country and the perman-
ence and stability of lis laws
Every means ofspreading just and scrip
tural views ofIhe principles of Christia ianity,
deserves the hearty support ofthe friends OF
law and order; of our glorious Constitution,
which presses itself most forcibly upon our
attention. is the CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ot
our youth.
The rising generation must have some
thing mote than mere Instruction, tor the
/ permanent interests of our country demand
in all its future citizens something Of fat
higher order than mere intelligence The
; heart must be mbued with chlsian princi
: pies andIh whole moral character mould
ed after a chistIan ple--Any thing
short OF this, however il may excel IN the ex
tent, variety of profoundness of It's instruc
tion, is utterly unworthy of the name of Ed
ucation,--for il fails not only in qualifying
the pupil for the glory, honor and immor
taluy to which the Gospel of onr salvation
invites him. but it even fails TO qualify him
for taking his proper stand under the siares
and stripes OF his country's banner, and for
bearing true allegiance 10 the Constitution
he is bound 10 support
The true dignity Of the TEACHER is hol
adequately estimated. no! its direct influence
upon our raiional destinies Entrusted
with the indescribabIy important duty OF
moulding not merely the intellectual but
the moral character Of the succeeding gene.
ration the hops and prospects of the coun.
try are most nearly concerned in the sort oI
characters by whom these functions are dis
charged. and the SORT of influence they exer-
else over the young committed to their man
agement.
The public has right 20 demand a chris
tian character In all who enter upon the du.
ties of,he profession of Instruction. and a
chistian manner of executing their office
In most of our Colleges. arrangements are
made for instruction IN the evidences o.
christianity and in the philosophy OF chris
: tian ethics and very commendable atten
ton is devoted to public religious exercise 5
Still there is, in all these institutions de
plorable want of parental oversight on The
part the officers. and many bright and
promising youth is lost to virtue and honoi