The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-01-26
For the Democratic Sentinel.
The Bible a Text Book in Educa.
tion.
BY W. A. URQUHART.

b1 W. A. IhRChAhI'
Few books are so well adapted to the pur
poses Of education, as TO entitle them to {
Fplacc, as text book, in every part of {
course of study. When, therefore, we claim
so prominent a place for the Bible, it may
reasonably be asked upon what ground this
claim is based +? ....
This question I shall endeavor to answer
| by showing aoltdt an eaacation oaghtto be, ana
Men pointing out the assistance which the Bi
bic wW furnish, an its acquisition. ..
An education, in the widest sense, implies
the preparation of the whole man, for The
duties. and enjoyments of the present anc
the future life, Such an education include:
the cultivation of both the moral and intcliec
tual faculties Of the heart, as well as Of the
mind | am not ignorant OF the fact, tina
the term education is usually applied to the
discipline OF the intelligence simply; nor an
ignorant of the more lamentable fact, that
in nearly all our institutions of learning, the
courses of study are framed accordingly; but
when we contemplate the influence of ths
state Of the moral faculty, OF the affections
passions, and emotions, upon the 'lmmorta
destiny of the soul, or their influence upon
the social and political relations of life, we
cannot but realize the necessity Of theil
proper cultivation. .sa H..'.ir'g .....
When, too, we consider, that in youth the
stamp of character is fixed, and that the
course of study pursued, at that period,
must necessarily have an almost unlimited
influence in its formation, we see the vital
Importance Of making moral improvement a
prominent object in every part of an educa-
tion, and of SO regulating the courses of
study that a large portion Of them shall d.
rectty, and all indirectly tend to the accom-
plishment Of this great object. That this
should be the case, it appears to me that no
one can doubt, who regards things according
to their real Importance. For where is the
propriety of spending the entire period of
youth in the improvement OF the intellect
only, and leaving to accident or circum-
stances the formation OF the moral character
that which makes the man, which deter
mines the nature of his influence here, and
Gxes his eternal destiny hereafter? If then,
it be admitted, that moral education should
be the direct aim of daily, and considera-
BILE portion of course of study, it would be
superfiuous to attempt to prove that the b.
BILE should constitute the text book in this
department. The Bible was given by God,
for the accomplishment Of this purpose, and
we must suppose that Infinite Wisdom has
presented the truths and motives best cacu-
lated to effect the object. Ip this great
branch of education then-moral improve
ment-the Bible should be employed as the
daily text book ''"".
The other great department of education
is intellectual Improvement. In this three
things are implied thu power of vigorous
and continued thought-thesequa develop
ment of the faculties-and the acquisition Of
knowledge. a1j "'5 7'5 +. ". r
In reference to the first of these--the
power of vigorous and continued thought--it
manifestly can be acquired only by the con.
tinuous exercise of the mental faculties, up
on subjects calculated to call forth their en-.
ergy. To accomplish this, the mind mas
percei0e in the studies pursued, value, on
accoun. of their future practical usefulness
or those studies must take strong hold oI
the affections. It is as absurd to attempt tc
discipline the mind upon studies mechanical.
lily pursued for thelsake Of the discipline a.
lone, as it is to .endeavor to strengthen the
bodily powers, by employing them in efforts
which are seen TO be perfectly useless. The
mind must perceive value in the subjects
upon which it is occupied, or its powers will
not be drawn out in pursuit Of them. Since
then, value Of thought is an essential element
lin text book, what volume can claim
precedence Of the Bible? No book present,
knowledge Of intrinsic value--its principles
are noaO applicable to the daily transactions
and wants of the students, and will continue
to be thus appli,abl through lfe--in all hi,
social and political relations. And, in refer,
ence to his future existence, the Importance
Of its truths can be measured only by the
worth Of his immortal spirit.
When truths Of such value are presented
to the mind, it will be aroused to their acqui
sidon, ard its powers will be necessarily de-