Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-16
Religious Education Of Children

Much Is said among different denominations
Of Christians, upon the subject of moral and
religious culture of children and we think
the time has arrived when the community
should be effectualy aroused to the necessity
of giving to their children religious educa-
lion. On this subject we fear that there is err
ror among us. We have seen the efforts made
and making to indocirinate muiitudes of chill
dren into the narrownesa and bigotry of creed,
infusing such spirit in them as makes them
in adult years, erclusire Sectdrians. Having
beheld such efforts, we reason correctly when
we say that children should not be thus instruc-
ted, but that their minds should be free. But
to avoid this evil, in order that their minds
may be unsecured by sectarianism, we have
fallen into the opposite extreme, and given
them no religious instruction. This is a very
lamentable mistake. There is all the differ
ence between making children bigo;ed, and
giving them no religious instruction that there
ever. Both are ,rrong. Let not their minds
be narrowed let not their growing affections
be walled up by illiberal notions nor let their
feelings be made to assume whatever shape
bigotry may dictate. But at the same time,
they should not grow up without any knowl-
edge of their Creator, Saviour, and the revela-
tion of Heaven. For if they are left entirely
ignorant of these Subjects they are liable to fall
victims 10 any error they may meet, or 10 have
their passions excited with fanaticism. These
courses are extremes, and are to be avoided
If it is incorrect to give any religious nstruc-
tion TO children, it is. on the same principle,
wrong to let them attend where religious prin-
ciples are preached.
If children are taught Christianity as it is, il
will never make them bigoted, but save them
from bigotry; it will never lead them astrav
but guide them aright-it will never leave them
in error, but will give them that truth wbicl
will assist in forming their character for virtue
and holiness. What, for instance, can be more
appropriate than to teach children the character
of God as displayed in nature and revelation,
and to impress upon their minds the fact thai
virtue is always pleasurable and vice always
miserable What can be productive of great
er benefit to them than to frequently tell them
Of the character of Christ, how obedient he was
TO his parents when youth; how kind he
was; how he died for his enemies, how he
rose from the dead, and how children shonl(
obey hint Nor can there be the least objec
tion against teaching them the law of loving
enemies, and that the reason why they shoult
do so is because their Heavenly Father love:
his enemies And we are sure no sane per
son can offer the least opposition against teach
ing them the doctrine set forth in the accoun
of the good Samaritan. Yet in teaching then
these principles, they imbibe knowledge o
the noblest truths of Christianity. These facts
rigidly instilled into their minds, will SOW
such seeds as will lead them on in adult age
to view all people as one family, TO be charita
BILE to all sects, and to be pure in life. We are
sure that such facts will not swerve their mind
one hair from the path which will make then
practical Christians
Our safety, our love of our children, and ou
interest in their welfare, demand that we Civ,
due attention to the moral and spiritual culture
of the rising generation. Let their moral ant
spiritual powers be properly developed, so tha
enlightened by intellect, they will direct then
Alright in all they do, and our individual ant
national prosperity is certain but neglect th
power, suffer them to lie dormant, and VIC
and crime will, for long period triumph
| Orford Democrat.