The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-29
COMMON SCHOOLS.


J MONT.
This address will be seen 10 pnothe
) column. 1t is inserted for the purpose 0
conforming to the request Of is siPners
and of inducing the peope Of ditforen
towns where Mr. Palmer shall give ad
dresses OIL The subject Of common schools
10 give him a hearing. think the Com
mittee slate the case rather high when
they say The clergy have always stool
in the most torpard rank in promoting
this great cause" So lar as my know!'
edge has extended, men who were noi
ministers were as ready 10 advocate pr-
mary school Improvements as the clergy,
and think history will so decide. AS
to the objec. flhe American Education
Society, | do no, doubt that the clergy
have used more influence than any other
class, and have "slood in the most forward
rank" The reason for this may appear
plain, which is, that most of the scholars
10 be benefited, are designed for the min~
isry Those however who wish 10 avail
them selves Of this society's aid, must sub
scribe to certain religious views enter.
tanned by the Directors of that society,a
study such branches of education as they
require, in orGer to ensure success. II
am not greally mistaken, The INDECENT
| students OF the Oneida Inslitute,a Whites
boro' \. 7. while tina! was under the
superintendent OF Bcriah Green, and the
students nj Oberlin, Olio, during The
same period, were refused aid from this
society.
The next poin, n The address 10 which
will refer is the following. There
arc special reasons why The clergy are TO
be relied on in all endeavors 10 elevate
the character Of our Dlstric, schools
What more important and effective check
under God, can be imposed on the bane-
full influences Of the skeptic and the fanat>
ic !! than well educated commuunity2
ain glad to see this sentiment brough.
out. and think the siguers Of the address
may, with some propriely, apply the hiu',
so far as skep!ieism is concerned, to them.
selves. Here is the Rector who would
not dare, had he the inclina, ion. 10 admit
either OF The other ministers into his pul.
pit, 10 preach, lest they desecrate it, Why
nol9 Because they are no, OF The regu-
lar line Of the "Apcsiolica succession p
Is no., then, Mr. Phillips at least 'skep-
tic to their views2 | will mex. lake
Brother Angler. He will allow the 9th.
erlwo TO occupy his Pulpit, and will aid
in the exercises; but 100 10 Father Mer-
rsH if lie attempt 10 partake Of The sacra,
mental Bread and Wine, prepared by
brother A. And so 10 the Methodist
Preacher; especially if he has not been
immersed. What shall we call this -
Good enough TO preach for him, bu, not
good enough 10 partake of the sacramen,
of the Lords Supper! Is no, Brother
Angler, then, a, Ieas! skepical to the SEN
timenls o! the others in some respects D.
Father Merrill and Brother Clarke vir.
tually say, Christ never laugh, such
close communion doctrines as Brother
Angler teaches, and pra:tices; aud we
therefore don't believe them" What are
these men, then, so far as they dissent
from the Bapts, Minister'S doctrines, bu,
skeptics or infle!s2 Aud what IRE these
Three men toward the doctrine OF Apps,
tolical succession, but outright, dowurgh.
disbeliecers2
The "Highway cn.. up for The ran,
somed of the Lord 10 walk in" is not so
" plain, that waytaring man, though
a fool; need moi err therein" or the con
fleeing sentiments, which divide profess.
ors of religion. are not essential TO right, |
eousness, or salvation. And whle the
clergy OF different denominations persist in
keeping up these division lines, they need
not wonder that those less informed, !
should be skep'ica on some points. The
prorer place, think, is for them to be-
gin among themselves. But if they are
too far advanced in Nge, or knowledge, 10
do this, hope they will 60 on as recon-.
mcnded in the following paragraph. and
as limited in the outset Of their address,