Lewisburg chronicle, and the West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1849-1849, 1849-09-19


ful enterprises, the principal cause Of tn
n is ,cant Of moral culture.
Z knowledge without restraint, only ir
y creases the capacity of an individual fc
: mischief. As citizen, he is more danger
q GUS to society, and does more TO corruE
public morals. Than those without education
So selfish is our nature, and so prone I
evil, that we require chains. moral or phys
zeal. 10 cure our propensiIies and passions
, Early impressions are always the mos
lasting. All experience conduces TO esrab
li>h this. Who has forgotten the scenes O
his boy hood, or the pious Instructions .
his parents 3? However they may he disc
garded and condemned oy an abandone,
course. We, they can not be consigned to
oblivion. ln the darkest hours OF reve'ry
they will light Up the memory and cause
remorse. And this feeling will generally
sooner or later, lead TO reior,nalon.
v ha.ever defect there may be of moral
/ culture in our common schools. il is more
/ than supplied IN our Sabbath schools. liere
the " hole lraining is oi' a moral aui rell.
! gIouS character.
Impressions thus made can never be
eradicated. And
Il may not be an eXiravaGant calculation
10 supp Sc that every Ten years FIVE mill.
iuns OF persons, who had been Sabbath
scholars, enter into active society. More
OF less, they may be supposed 10 be i. tla-
enced by the principles Inculcaled al tho; c
schools. Restrained themselves by moral
Considerations, their example nav have
some influence on an equal number Of their
associates. Here, then, is an element
Of power which must be salutary on our
social and political relations. The good
thus done can not be fully known and APP
preclated, a. the amount of evil hlch ii
prevents eau not be measured.
II may be assumed as an axiom, that
free Government can res, on no other basis
than moral power. France has Repub-
he which is maintained by bayone,s. And
there Is reason 10 apprhend that in that
country there is not sufficient moral basis
for III. maintenance of free government.
But are our own beloved institutions free
from danger! Who has not seen the
"yawnlng chasms" in our own beautiful
ed,ficr Its pillars seemed to be moved,
lis wall and its dome. and the contour OF
its fabric, have suffered and nothing can
restore it 10 its pristine beauty and strength.
but united and continued effort of the in
ielligent and vir'uous citizens Of cur codn-
try. And we must increase the number OF
these by every possible means. Sabbath
Schools must be relied on as principal
agent in this great work. Without their
aid, should look TO the future with little
hope. Mere partyism should be discarded
for principle; and moral power, founded
as il must be on The justice and fitness OF
things, must be made The ground o action.
When consider the mighty trust, NOR.
al and political, which has been committed
to us-when | reflect upon the extent and
fertility Of our country. its diversified and
heslthiul climates, and its capacity for hu.
man enjoyment-I am overwhelmed with
the vastness Of the subject. Rapidly as we
have advanced for the last thirty years in
the development of physical resources and
in the arts and sciences, the bow of prom
ise still abides in the future.
Bul nation may be great in its physi-
cal power and in its mental attainments,
without possessing the basis Of moral pow.
er. which is the only foundation for prac.
teal liberty. We could drive them from
our shores without endangering our ins,i.
tuiions. But willis, have no fears as
to the permanency Of our Governmen,
from influences and powers from Without
am not without apprehension from causes
which arise among ourselves This indeed
is strange paradox. Can we not trust
ourselves. 'ls thy servan, dog that lie
should do this ihing!"
There is no security against the enormi-
Ties OF our race, which have so often dis
graced The history Of The world. but 4 re-
strainins influence which sells bounds to
human passions. The superior civilization,
moderation, and justice, of modern times,
is attributable 10 :he benign influence of
Christianity. The ancient republics were
destitute Of this power. Phys force vas
the arbiter Of The right and the dispenser
OF justice. But now there is an element of
moral power which more or less pcrvades
all civilized nations, and which has its
foundation in the Bible. No nation can
disregard this law with impunity. lift be
40, cmboCie1 10 any publishnd code We, !,