Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-11-26
ron ruE, STANTON SPECTATOR.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE, LEXINGTON, v,

NO. a.
Mr.. EpiroR,-We have already said that the
high and healthful tone of moral and religious feel
ing which pervades and surrounds Washington
College, is such as should challenge the attention
Of parents who have sons to educate. Other things
being equal it surely becomes us avail ourselves
OF every adventitous circumstance within our reach
to save our children 'sfrom the evil that is IN the
world" 1t is an exceedingly difficult undertaking
to educate and train youth in the way they should
go. Their waywardness must be restrained, their
bad habits corrected their Incidence rebuked, their
inexperience instructed their minds trained to stu
dous habits ofclosc and unwearcd application their
hearts kept free from the corrupting and blightng
influence of vicious pleasure, and taught 'the fear
of the Lord" which sis the beginning of WISDOM
Whoever undertakes and successfully executes this
arduous task, does great and good work, in the
prosecution of which he will often have occasion to
say, ''Hic labor hoc opus est"
When parent sends his son to literary insti-
tuition, he has right to expect that the manners of
his child be watched over with un,iring vigilance
by the Professors to whose care he has committed
him.. The training in literature and science is not
all; there is higher grade of education needful to
mt and prepare young man to serve his country
with usefulness, to the appreciation, and
it the favor Of the wise and good. This the Pro-
lessons Of every school, whatever be its grade, should
keep constantly i'm view. And we have good rea-
to believe that it is lost sight OF at the
College in question. To expect success in every
case, is moe than experience will warrant. But
to use the means which are best adapted to secure
the end, is wise. To attain this object, especially
in this country of social habits it is of importance
that every Professor in Colleges become perso-
nally, and, as far as practicable, intimately ac-
quainted with every student under his care. This
intimate acquaintance would give the Professor
measure of influence over the student that nothing
else could secure it would promote mutual esteem
cOnfidpnce xyould frco fho x,icf;o u
mind of the student that he cared for and that
his instructor sought his solid good and it would
powerfully cOnduce to the observance of good order
and the formation Of studious habits Such inter
course is an important part of an education. ''He
that walketh with wise men shall be wise"
The Rev. Professors should esteem themselves
the collegiate PASTORS for the time being, of the
students committed to their care and cure. And
we very much question the propriety Of their hay
ing any other charge. We are fully persuaded that
a sermon should be preached every Sabbath. say at
O'Clock, in the College chapel, by one of the Rev
Professors to the students of both the Literary Insti-
tutions. This arrangement, so far as we know,
would not interfere with the freedom and privilege
which are now rightly granted TO any TO all the
students to attend public worship at any Of the
churches in the town. Moreover, the advantages
are obvious. The sermons preached by the pastors
OF the churches, although able and eloquent are ne
cessarily addressed to promiscuous audiences, and
huopeCu tIic wants anu circumstances OF their
own congregations. But when the preacher knows
that his audience is to consist of large number of
interesting and intelligent young men, the elite Of
the country, like Solomon, he will ''seek to find
out acceptable Words" and to adapt himself to the
necessities of his hearers. His discourse will be ad
rem, and be far more likely to prove instructive and
useful than one heard under other circumstances
"A word fifty spoken, how good is it." This course
has much to commend it. 1t has been long and
proftably practised at many of the best Colleges in
the country. 1t has been the writer's privilege to
hear many an instructive and eloquent discourse in
the chapel of the College of New Jersey. There
one OF the Rev. Professors of the College, or the
seminary breaches to the young men of both Inst-
tutiOns every Sabbath. Time has disclosed some of
the happy results eternity will unfold the rest
The Rev. Professors at Washington College are
well able to discharge such duties with distinguish
ed ability. We are far from intimatng that there
IS want of religious instruction at this Institution
from which the manners of the students are likely
to suffer. Nay on the contrary, we believe, that
the means OF religious instruction enjoyed here are
such as should merit the regard of all who have
sons TO educate. Here are comparatively few temp
fations to the practice of vice here many moral
restraints thrown around youth and here is an in
nuence felt which elevates and refnes.
Lexington is charming place, containing pop
ulatlon OF about 1000. 1t is surrounded by a dis
frict of country of great fertility and beauty 1t
contains four churches one Baptist one Methodist,
one Episcopalian, and one Presbyterian church.
These are all neat and tasteful buildings, and af-
ford ample accommodations for the respective con-
gregations that worship in them. The Baptist,
Episcopaian, and New Presbyterian churches, have
been recently erected. The New PRESBYTERIAN
church is situated Main street, near the centre of
the town. 1t is beautiful structure. The style
or the building is simple, chase, and cassick its
architectural! proportions in perfect harmony its
lofty and gracefully tapering spire is adorned with
a handsome clock, and the whole presents itself to
the view In delightful symmetry. This church is
greatly admired. 1t is deemed the ornament of the
place. 1t reflects great credit ON the zeal and chris
tian enterprise Of the large and heightened congre-
CATION that erected it to the honor and praise, and
worship OF God their Saviour. The writer has I'M
derstood that the Ladies OF this congregation have,
like the holy women of old, who ministered to the
wants OF the Saviour, contributed noby, working
with their own hands, to aid in rearing this beaut-
iui house. Long may it stand monument to per
Petuate their plous zeal and there may their chill
dren's children serve the God of their fathers with
willing heart
49,, these churches are all supplied with pastors
Inc hev. gentlemen who officiate in them are all
OF good report They discharge the functions of
their sacred office with diligence aud ability The
writer regrets that 1t is not his privilege to be ac-
4ualnted with any of the gentlemen who minister
IN these churches, except the Rev. Mr.. Skinner,
VINO is the pastor Of the Presbyterian church. Mr..
Skinner Is devoted christian, u profound scholar.
adistingushed Orator. an eloquent preacher, and a
successful minister OF Jesus Christ His iabonrs
IN Lexington have been owned and blessed by the
great Head of the Church, and more than a few
OF the students have been greatly benefited by his
labours The students have free access 10 anv or
all these churches. And we know that the good
people OF Lexington, whose hospitality and Kind
ness are only surpassed by their piety and benevo
ience, al always very much pleased to see the stu
dents attend public worship in any of their church
- 81, IL