Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-04-09
For the Advertiser.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL CAUSE.

Col. SmKlSs-Dear Sir In addition to what
has been said relative to the Importance Of Sabbath
Schools other considerations nigh. be urged arising
from the peculiar character Of the age in which we
live Error is assuming forms calculated to deceive
the unwarry InIidcty is engra'ting itself upon
science, especially upon geology, and it is also seen
in theology enlravorng 10 place the doctrine OF our
religion upon rational basis. Philosophy begins to
rrjcc, what she cannot explain These things are
the more TO be dreaded from the fact that We a
ligbt-minded people, and therefore credulous. We
are prone to seek that wh ch will please, instead Of
profit US. The light nnledncss of our age might be-
inferred from the character Of most of the produc-
tiops Of the present day. writer, if lie wishes to
benefit others. must have pure motive for this will
give character to his work. But if his aim is to
please, get gain, to chrush an adversary to vind
cate fvorite theory or to obtain the Prnises Of men,
his work cannot be considered beneficial. These
impure motives have brought within tile reach Of
the young thousands OF bnoks that would not repay
them Gnr the time spent in careful prrusal. Very
many exert tendency decidedly injurious. Espe-
cially is this true Of works Of fiction. How often
does the novelist in his hero heroine, hold up for
admiration, those very traits which are opposed TO
the principles Of divine truth! And by giving to
their dark deeds the names Of virtue, lead us to
der value the pure doctrines Of inspiration. And
how often dues the novelist, after making virtues Of
murder. amhiliun malice &C., take his heroes, at
,l IL, y,,oly Int ~ MA
encr is mperceptibly exered upon US by seeing the
heroine Of one OF our novel writer's, after falling
victim to her own errors, and while standing before
the mirror, which reflected her beautiful frcr ple
with mortilica'ion and disappointment, and curling
the sken tresses which A,wed in beautiful pruIu>ion
her shoulders, falls corpse upon the hoor and
is usl,ercd to the paradise of The saints Now when
VIC remember that " no novel reader ever yet loved
the bible," we may see the danger Of our youth,
blindIy drinking from these poisonous streams And
of the periodicals which fnud our country, how
small portion will repay an attentive perusal. II
we look into COMMON conversation we generally
fud the same lightness. Friends meet to spend an
evening, and like the Atheniaus the time is passed
in hearing and telling something ew,-the news Of
tho neghburhood- creising the aetions OF others,
and perhaps, countenanoing the tale 'f scandal. Or
if we may peep into another circle perhaps We will
find "that refined nonsense and polite foo'ishness"
has become ashionabld and they seem to think that
they had better be dead than out of fashion," Go
to some of our public hotels you SEQ some ynung
gentlemen just coming out from dinner; they have
dinrd in haste and ore hurrying away you speak
t., one but he has scarcely time to stoP-you have
important business with him. but he really has not
time to attend to it now, he will do 80 tonight or
tomorrow, and you have to wait or SO away dIsap.
pointed. But watch that young man-where is he
going1 Oh, only to public plaza to spend the eve
ming in idle talk, and criticse those passing by
perhaps 10 smile at the honest abourer, as he is hur-
ryng on to his work. Children are brought up to
lonk upon time, as an inexperienced youth would
look upon box of gold opened before him. lie
would imagine it to contain mino Of wealth, which