Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-09
The Pulpit, Press, and School Room.

IVY h"PPtnSoS
The Pulpit, Press, and School Room.
The three great instrumentalities by which
popular. intelligence and virtue may be
strengthened are the Pulpit, the Press and
the School-room. to which may be added a
fourth as being, perhaps, the most influential
of all, viz the Home Circle. We do not
mean that the Pulpit shall become a political
organ and teach the people their duty and
interests in the va rious questions of State as
they arise. Such a course, instead of eleva-
ting the public sentiment, and strengthening
public morals. and giving q manly and noble
tone to the feelings and impulses Of commu-
nifty, has rather had the tendency to lower
the influence of the Pulpit, to change it from
its noble and dignifed position and fill it
with passion, and bitterness and strife. 1t
is not the Office or mission of the Pulpit to
effect changes in political institutions or re-
forms in society. Its mission is to individal
men and women, and it can only reach the
world as it moves the hearts and souls of in
diyiduals. But here its influence how great!
Calm and gentle as the light Warm and
invigorating as the heat of the sun, its voice
!, goes forth into the world soothing, elevating
: and reining-calmipg the turbulent passions
d and giving peace when no other means could.
q it stands as one of the greatest bulwarks OF
popular intelligence and virtue. Next in
importance, if not equal to the Pulpit, is q
8 pure, free unshackled Press. 1t should be
, as free as human nature can make it from
: every shade of immortality and vice, and indie
s pendent and upright in its tone. They who
WELD this instrument can scarcely be con-
scious of the powers and influence they exert.
. Silent as the footsteps of Time, the fruits of
the Press go forth into the world to amuse,
Z to instruct, to elevate, or to debase all with
whom they may come in contact. What We
read, like what we hear, influences US in spite
Of ourselves. We cannot handle pitch and
b not be defled. We can scarcely hold in our
hands a vile book or paper without having
m impure thoughts suggested to the mind. 1t
seems as though a subtle magnetism ema-
mates from the brain of the writer and puri-
u fes or defles the very naper on which his
thoughts are printed. His very soul is trans.
Du fused into his books, and thus his thoughts
go out into the world creating an atmosphere
H. and an influence pure or impure even as he
&c is. Our ideas, our forms of being and thought
- are modified by those with whom we asso-
!" ciate. We take on the character of the So
ter cietv in which we live. And this influence
le- is so very strong that only the greatest and
Is most powerful minds can resist it. And as
to it is with the society in which We live, SO it
cir is with the books and papers with which We
+ha buTTQunu OURSELVES. 1Hcy are dnotucI WNIiu
another society, that comes home to us by
!, our own fre-sides in our hours of retirement
These are the thoughts of men W. are read
ad- ing, and il we read we are Influenced, ever
vas if we regard as utterly false what we read
ted for the current of thought has been set ii
and an impression made that eternity alon
;yo can effaee. How exceedingly important it be
comes, then, that the Press should be pure
SO that we may have fine and healthy streaW
!, .b : Of thought TOWNS Eiiaasti5s, Of publishing full de
as tails of crime, illustrated with wood cuts, a
ne, many of the papers now do. 1t is q perm
tide cious practice, whose result is, not to max
one loathe with an utter loathing all impur
thoughts, but rather to familiarize the min
tuo with scenes of crime and blood. Let tn
? 70 Press be pure and its influence healthful, an
it stands as q strong tower against whic
- the waves of evil dash in vain. But tn
me, Pulpit and Press alone are not sufficient
was all the work. These are for mature mind
We need other instrumentalities to make til
- chain complete. These are to be found in til
school room and home circle. Here the foul
AIRY dation for future manhood must be laid.-
'ets Here is the very fountain whence the streal
run Of life flows. And if the fountain be corrup
ide. if impurities cluster there, how can Il
.ep stream be pure, sweet and refreshing? b
Iau, education can never make a faculty, it is n
its province to create a germ or power
uS mind. 1t can only shape and mould al
direct those God-o;yen facnlties already e
b OF listing in the mind. And it may direct the
sins, so as to make their possessor an angel OF
ut it demon. A home where passion reigns. whe
,ose discord RACES in the breasts of all, and stin
1--we them like fiery serpents-can such a hoI
rear children to become good and wort
g Vi citizens? Can such a home ever produ
pro, noble and worthy defenders of the State
lived As well expect to gather figs from thistle
that or the luscious peach from the bramble,
IMAM a home all foul with vice and debauchery
produce men iilustrious for their great a
~ good qualities. No, such a result would
contrary to all known laws and it would
ming blind and besotted folly to expect it.
berg, These are the principal instrumentalit
him. by which the channelsof popular intelligen
b the patriotism and virtue may be widened, a
!. be- deepened and strengthened. Let these
ed is strumentalities remain pure, let them be k
,anln true to their high purpose and aim, and al
10y well. Ia vain will the enemies of a couni
nearC that has these, attack her. In vain will tt
this assault the Constitution. for that is writt
S and not only on parchment and printed in boo
seals but it is also engraved in letters of flame VI
mites the very hearts Of the people. State Rig
/ +ho will become firm and secure as the gran
rocks against which the waves dash fore
in vain. But reverse it; let the Pulpit b
shao- mere political machine let the Press b.
source of foul and loathsome corruption /;
bition school rooms and home circles be prog
tors of a false and pernicious education,
e her free institutions could not live a day. 81
ubich rights and Constitutions would crumble
. -: pieces like rotten mushrooms.
, !, sun s.;n Ne0berry Is. co. Sun
ana DUPLIN, Aug. %, 1851
her EDITOR AGE I'm nv article of Aus