Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-03
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THE FAMILY, THE SCHOOL, AND
THE CHURCH,


First in the golden chains Of influences
comes the family; the product Of our social
nature, and the producer Of our social quail
ties, the joy OF Eden before the apostacy,
and the solace Of the world ever since. I'll
is Of divine appointment -" God hath set
the solitary Of families" 1t was his own
voice which declared the truth. cit is not
good for mar to be alone" And he. made
him an helpmeet for him, not only to be
the supplement and completion Of his being,
not merely to call in healthy activity his sym
pathies and his heart but also to furnish
instruction to his children and a suitable ed
ucation to successive generations. The fam
lily was the first school, and the very idea Of.
a school grew out Of the family. The first
teacher was the first mother and she was
invested with the former Office as soon as she
came into the condition ofthe latter. Teach
her children she must, by necessity Of ma
ture. She can in NJ way avoidit. Possess
ed Of a self active intellect, her children will
copy the form and style both Of her mind
and her morals. Their eountenances will
bear her image, and their minds will receive
her superscription.
Thus naturally does the parent take the
position of the teacher, and the school devel-
opitself from the domestic circle. DR.. Rush
has well said that I" mothers and school-mas-
tiers plant the seeds of nearly all the good
and evil in the world" It may be safel,
affirmed that they together with the minister
Of religion, hold the destiny Of nations il
their hands. The powers of congress ar,
not to be compared with theirs. The forme
a modify, indeed, seine of the outwar,
forms Of society, but the latter have a pos
ton at the vital and original springs Of infr
ence, 1t is theirs to determine whether tn
dynamies Of the world shall tend to decid
the questions whether the invisible force
Of society shall burst forth infuriate to la
waste every living thing, or whether the
energies shall be 50 directed as to benefit an
bless mankind.
The church is an embodiment Of the rel.
ious element, and that, too, the highe
known on earth. Therefore a church is
church only as it is truly religious And
church without piety or godliness is in rea'
ty no church. 1t is the church's mission
exhibit religion. in clear precept and brig
example before the world, and thus attra
the world into safe inclosure.
But there is ~apreparatory work to be don
A foundation Of iafelIgeace must be laid
the intellect, for devotion is not a child
ignorance and 86is work may well be dc
in the school. Itsmust be done there a
in the family. if deBe at all. Andif it
not done At al, tie sureh had better ba
It's harp upen the willows, and sit down
dsspqir. In an ignorant and besotted C
mupity there is an end oftrpe religion. ]
cultivation ola conscience, and Of the md
feelings. IS another Of these pTeEiminaries.
Regard for a constituted authority, 4 Sd
Of obedieace, reverence for old age, obs
vance ofthe rights Of all, politeness, ben
client care Of all others happiness, manIn,
purity, generosity, truth, frankness, hone,
diligence, enterprise. accuracy, relf-reha
and humility all these and many more $
noble traits are learned during the pei
Of school lie. or never. The church
fal to impart them in subsequent wears,
cause personal habits have then become