The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-17

n. w.
To Messrs W IL Redwood g. Co Geo. A. Taihil Tart,
Stewart & Co.. and others
-
The United States Convention OF Universal
ists-sunday School Meeting.
meeting Of this convention was held yesterday
morning at Metropolitan Hall Tho body and gol-
le,es Of the hall were filed by large and respect
able audience. Seven schools, amounting TO eight
hundred children, were present, and accommodated
with seats Immediately in front of the platform.
Mr. C. C. Gordon, of Brooklyn, was called to the
chair.
Rev Mr.. Brown offered a prayer; and tho chill
drcn having sung hymn,
The CHAIRMAN read the following resolutions, and
intima.ed that upon cash Of them an address wsuld
be giyen:-
J. Resolved That VIC recognise in the Sunday School
important and necessary aid in the religious education
Of children and also in diansng the principles of our
religious faith and again would commend this institu-
to the confidence and support Ut all who seek the
| aCcomp Iii hmcnt Of these ends
q Received That The Sunday School should be regard
ed branch Of the Society Church and be placed
entirely under its direction and control
g. Resolved. TIA. the prosperity and permanent
of the Sunday School enterprise must chiefly depend
| OF parents and the guardians Of the young
A. Resolved That it .ouid enhance the usefulness and
eicie ncy this institution ii semltjc AM
thorough plan Of instruction could be adopted in
schools and that committee Of five appainted by the
cba Of this meeting TO devise measures which
shs meet this want, and report at he Sunday School
meeting, TO DC held in connection with our u s. Con-
NentioD OF neAtye
| EeS j. NJ. AUSTIN, Of New York, said--I hive
to address yoa upon The Grst resolution Daring our
annual ,onyecation We have been called together in
various meetings but think you will all unite
with me when say that the present sthe IN ,s
interesting and i'm po,tant OF all Behold, how beau
| ti.u The sight before YOU this morning A carisn
/ Lord. therein. N
plate for an ipstant this spectacle. = there any
sight upon this side OF hcaren more beautiful, and
upon which the sngels of God look down with
| more pleasure :! These children have been given
INTO our bands for the purpose of training
them up 10 Truth. to usefulness, TO heaven,
and to God. How great work is this,
upon us Among the various characteristics that
distinguish this wonderful age of ours, consider
the sabbath school enterprise the most import
ant and the most vital IN its nature, its inhu-
ences, and consequences. Its history commenced
about the middle Of the present century, when
| il was brought about by single individual in
London, and it has continued to increase its in
fuences and the scope Of its work. until it now
covers a large pant OF ChIistendom; and cannot
but feel that, under God the perpetuity, and, may
say, the very existence Of Christianity itself, de-
ponds upon the Sabbath school work, and upon the
iaittfulness with which we discharge duty in a
religious point Of view to the rising generation. We
need not attempt to conceal the fact that there is
spirit Of scepticism abroad in the land most dam
gerous in its nature and influences. Ii is not in its
old form 1t does not stalk forth with all its hide
ous features before the eyes of the world but in.
sidiousy appeals to reason ard philosophy and it is
my conviction, that in many heart it will move
one after another, the pillows that support the
butte this sem-scepticisni which is abroad to
any inherent dcprayity of the human heart,
or to any natural feeling opposed to re-
ligion for, indeed, to my mind it wonld
be most improbable to suppose, that God would frat
! < re-
with hearts entirely to the discharge of those
duties. We should, think, have more reason
able conception Of Gods government. In my iudg
ment, we are to attribute this disposition TO fall uto
error from the presentation Of the subject
! of religion to the mind of the child. The first
| pressions made upon the hearts of children are
| generally the most enduring, and accompany them
| through life. Very often they give color and
/ temper to all our religious feelings and
our religious character-and the first impress
sions which have been made upon the minds
Of the rising generation, it appears to me have been
Of such character to lay the foundation for this
/ irreligious frame Of mind. Eow many are there
here who prepared to render their accord to the
sentiments am about TO express Many OF US
were educated in those forms Of religion which come
70 US venerable by age, yet how many who were
thus educated originally, do not remember The first
/ IMPRESSION that was made upon their minds, Of
the character Of God, who was represented
4 to them being 10 be feared. Does
! not your experience corroboratc this remark
/ Cannot you remember the first light that daSned
In the soul Ct the character of God, and that ~
one that chilled the heart! When the FIRST impress
sion upon tde heart Of child, with reference TO
| God is such as 70 alarm him, il indisposes his mind
TO the correct appreciation OF religion IT is inn
possible by such course 10 fill the heart OF child
/ With love TO tho Supreme Cod which is the first
| great commandment. and first view ofrelieion which
should be iuculcated in the human mind. 1t is i'm
possible to tho heart Of aShild to experience
this feeling Of love to Cod 50 lorg as it is oppressed
| with such views Of God. Another reason for this
state Of indifference in regard to religion which is
abroad in the world, is that it is a mere cxpedient
to which should resort for Interior purposes
that religion is matter, II might use such IN
expression, Of barter between God and the soul, to
sce how small amount Of service God will re-
| ceiye in exchange for an eternity Of bliss. We
perceive at glance that having these conceptions
! of the importance Of religion, the mind 10 not wsl
| prepared for that culture, and for those correct
! yiewsof duty TO God which are oil essential to an
| enlightened religion, which should purify the heart,
and lead the soul into that love to God and man
without which all forms Of religion are empty
sounds. II has been reserved TO to do the great
work Of christianity in this behalf, to take these
| children which have been given to us and start
Alright with them in this way, and advance the
beauty and glory Of that system which distinguishes
us from all Others What Is our duty1 What is
| the object Of our Sabbath schoolsl What is the
nature of the labor of our Sabbath school teach
ers! Why 1t is to lay the true foundation Of
religion in the heart Of child, by giving him cor
rect conception OF the character Of God; BY teaching
him that great truth, Of infinitely more Importance
than all other truths, that God is essentially and In
Gnitely good and that his name Is love. Who can
not say that the mind Of the child is prepared at
once to receive this view Of God The moment tbe