, 1854-02-25

highest interests OF Ills CudISc. w hllO VIC
attribute the prevailing neglect to the
cause considered above, We know that much
is zcalously done without effect, because it
is not done IN he expectation Of imn'e'iatc
practical results. We reflect with much re-
spcct and gratitude on the efforts that are
duly made, with exemplary constancy, in
the cause of religion by many unostenta-
tious but faithful professional educators.
We think Of the morning and evening
gatherings for prayer in our schools, on the
dccorous attendance on public worship, the
scripture readings, and catechetical instruc-
ton; aud there is but one regret in the
plcasurablc reflection that in most instances,
all this is done in the hope that it will
have influence in the formation Of character,
and in after years produce christian men.
We fear this object is too remote. 1t
should be nearer, much nearer. Why is
not all this done to make christian boys?
Is there not perilous age between boy
hood and manhood? Is it easy to calcu-
late the consequences Of misconduct in that
interval? Do We estimate justly the mis-
chief that flows from that aimlesS, unstable
state which few escape, and for which the
French supply US with graphic name
etourdrie? The aspirations of developed
spiritual powers are wanting to regulate
the intellectual fervor and physical energy
of that dangerous age. The christian boy
escapes the peril; the christian man is too
frequently one who has escaped from it,
leaving all the havoc of the shipwrcck
about him. 1t lis the mode in which spir-
'itcal education is attempted that leads to
this remoteness of aim.
Devotional practices and formularies are
the means employed. Means not to be dis
pensed with, but insufficient Of themselves.
Half the time spent in learning formularies
by heart, as the mnemonic exercise is mis-
termed, would suffice to give the young
pupil an intelligent acquaintance with the
facts of the christian religion; and half the
time spent in the repetition Of formularies,
would suffice to make him acquainted with
the historical evidence of the facts, and
their practical bearing on his state and
prospects. The usual course Is the reverse;
the formularies = unintelligible, in many
cases, to children-are given them as a
provision for ripper years, and the facts, the
great facts which speak to the simplest
hearts, and satisfy the most acute minds,
are withheld, or brought before them with
such indifference of manner or carelessness
of routine, that for all immediate purposes
they fall powerless on the soul Devotional
exercises also are deprived of effect from
the want of intelligent management.
s1tiisstrange how. weaFisone and mean
ingless an intelligent mode Of>worship may
be rendered to childhood, if the state and
requirements of that age be lost sight of.
1t is the reformatiye principle of ntellectu-
al culture to secure the attention of the
pupil. The same principle applies to spir-
itual culture In that great work devo-
tion is the exercise, as the facts of christi
anity arc the lesson, and both for lesson
and exercise the pupils attention must be
secured. When this is done, when the
mode of instruction corresponds to the OBJ
ject, spiritual education will be carefully
attended to by the professional educator,
and immediate results, the most gratifying
of recompense, be attained. e- g.,
In these remarks we have considered
man as an agent ia ,edpcing the spiritual
faculty Of his fellows but we cannot close
without recalling the great truth, that in
spiritual education the agency of the Holy
tSpitit mast be seenral, pdethe word Of
God faithfully employed. 9 "a q x
= ~ = y B. CoRNELi6s.