The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-29

W. haVc JuQt met WIN the IOiiOWinB eio-
quent lettfE entire) from Judge McLEAs,
upon the value Of Sabbath Schools, extracts
from which We have seen for some days past,
and we hasten to lay il before our readers,
Every lover Of truth will appreciate the reli-
gious sentiments and recommendations it con-
tains, and we are sure, they will go home to
the public heart and operate eiIectually to
extend the blessed influences Of Sabbath
teaching:
CiscInSATI, April 10, l949
DEAR SR:--Whst consider myself honored by
the Board Of Officers and Managers Of the American
hsr Ss.S School Union in being PLACED n0@na
me position, may stand In the way Of some one Of
higher merit and Of greater usefulness.
The more reflect upon Sabbath Schools, the more
deeply am impressed with their importance. Ed
ucation without moral training may increase nation
al knowledge, but il will add nothing 10 national
virtue. by Almost Intelligent and able report, made
some years ago BY Gnizot IL appeared that In those
departments Of France where education had been
most advanced crime was most common. And by
later reports II Is shown that In Prussia Scotland
and England, where the means of education has been
greatly increased, Especially in Prussia and Scotland
criminal offences have increased. Making due al
lowance for the growth of population, and the aggre
CATION OF individuals In carrying various useful
enterprises, the principal cause of this is rant Of
| moral culture AN
the capacity Of IN individual for mischief As cit
izcn, he Is more dangerous society," and does more
to corrupt the public morals than one without odu
cation so selfish Is our nature and promo 10 evil
propensities and passions.
Early Impressions are aiwuys the most lasting. All
experience conduces 70 establish this. Who has for,
gotten the scenes of his boyhooi or the pous in
| struclions Of his parontsa However they NAV be
disregarded and condemned by an abandoned course
/ yet they cannot be consigned 10 oblivion In the
darkest hours Of revelry they will light up in tho
memory and cause remorse. And this feeling will
generally sooner or later, lead TO reform.
Whatever defect there may be OF moral culture in
our common schools, II Is more than supplied In our
| Sabbath schools. Here the whole training is of
moral and religious character entirely free from sec
| tartan influences.
Impressions thus made can never be eradicated
And j. may not be an extravagant calculation
TO suppose that every ten years five millions of per-
sons who had been Sabbath school scholars enter
/ into active society More less they may be sun
posed to be be influenced by the principles incnIca
4 ted at those schools. Restrained themselves by
| moral conscientious, their example may have some
influence on an equal number Of their associates
Here, then, is IN element Of power which must be
sautary on our social and political relations The
| good thus done cannot be fully known and apprec-
ated, as the amount Of evil which II prevents cannot
| be measured.
| II may be assumed as an axiom. that free govern
ment can rest on no other basis than moral power
France has republic which Is maintained BY bayo
nets And there Is reason TO apprehend that In that
country there Is not sufficient moral basis for the
I maintenance of free government
But are our own beloved institutions free from
danger3 Who has not seen the ynwning chasms y
in our own beautiful edifce Its pillars seem to be
moved, Its wall and its dome, and the contour of the
fabric have suered and nothing can restore to It's
pristine beauty and strength but united and con.
tinued effort ofthe intelligent and viruous citizens of
/ country. And IN 10 mi arn E
4 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 1t must
be on the jnsce and fitness of things, must be made
the ground of action.
4 When consider the mighty trust, moral and poll.
teal, which has been committed to us when re-
fleet upon the extent and fertility of our country Its
diversified and healthfu climates and It's capacity
for human enjoyment, am overwhelmed with the
ced for the last thirty years In tho development Of
our physical resources, and In the arts and sciences,
the bow ofpromse still abides in the future.
But nation may be great in Its physical power
| and its mental attainments, without possessing tho
bass OF moral power, which Is the only foundation
for practical liberty have no fears Of the concen-
lrated powers Of the world. We could drive them
| from our shores without endangerng our inslltu-
1 tons. But whilst have no fear as TO the pernia-
nency Of our Government from Influences and pow
ers from without, am not without apprehension
CduSes WHICH arise among ourselves, I0l0
indeed strange paradox. Can we not trust our
seivcsa thy servanta dog that he should do this
thing ~
There Is no security against the enormites Of our
race, which have SO often dsgraced the history Of
tho world, but restraining influence which sets
bounds TO human passions. The superior civiliza-
ton, moderation nnd justice Of modern times is at
| ributable 10 the benign influence of Christianity
The ancient republics were destitute of this power
Physical force was the arbiter of right and the dis
| penser ofjustice. But now there Is an element OF
moral power which more or less peryades all civilized
nations, and which has its foundation In the Bible
No nation can disregard this law with impunity If
u be not embodied In any published code, yet Il Is
not the less powerful. II Is written in tho hearts
and understandings of mankind 1t shakes the
thrones Of despots who through line of ancestry Of
many centuries, have governed with an absolute
power.
To us as nation are committed the great princi-
pies OF Tree government, and we are responsible 10
those who shall come after us for faithful discharge
OF the trust. Now we must continue to build upon
the foundation Of our fathers. They were equnl to
the crisis. Washington, and II ncock and Adams,
md their compat,iots were good men as well as
great men. They looked TO experimenting Pro,i.
dence, and TO the precepis Of the Bible.
There is enough Of intelligence and virtue, and Of
honest purpose In the nation, If embodied and made
active TO free us from the prevailing corruptions Of
the day. And there ism agency more efficient 10
strengthen this state of the public mind than our
Sabbath Schools. They arc tho nurseries OF virtue
ofan elevated patriotism, and Of religion. \ -
And what nobler motive could inipel to human
action? Compare ii with the motives which led TO
other lines Of action, and with their results. The
aspiration of the politician begins and ends In
himself The benefits III bencftsthey may be caled)
conferred on his supporters have no higher motive
than this. Tho same remark will apply to many
who are engaged in the pursuits of commerce, or In
the prosecution of enterprises which ordinarily lead
10 the accumulation northumberland national wealth
They may become great In this respect and advance
the wealth of their country, without being exemplary
themselves, or increasing the public virtue. And so
OF professional renown. How empty is that baube
which entwnes the brow of The orator in the senate
at the bar or in the pulpit whose heart is not full OF
the kindly feelings of humanity, and who does not
endeavor to mitigate the suferngs and increase the
happiness Of his race.
five desire to make our nation truly great, and to
transmit 70 poseriy our institutions in their prim-
tive simplicity and force, we must Undue the minds
OF our youth with pure and an elevated morality
which shall influence their whole lives. And i
know of no so well calculated TO produce this
result as Sabbath Schools.
regret that my public duties will prevent my be-
ing present at your annual meeting.