Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-12

S heye sQp Aay1aca ~, & 81 & ens So .ssn
s;oas. ibst s. Is sriIy nesss Silade to
shis sdbjeet nov NOR ii itinpo Re any
further siegestions III TeElrd otext grades,
and the various considerations IS hfch th6S1d n6n-
sence you il granting certificates With mum
sbers'
{ In former Communications these snbjects have
been fully discussed and this letter already
longer than desired ii should be, mon omit for
the present all ausion to other matters 0 interest,"
and likely sometimes tosoccupy the attention OF
q good. Examining Committee There is one SUBJ
ject, however, which feel bound to press on your
attention in every communication; and that is. that
no amount of literary attanments will atone for the
want of good moral character. In this matter it is
impossible for you to be too strict; and respect
fully and earnestly appeal to you, in the name OF
the immortal interests at stake to plant yourselves
mmovably on this principle, and never to grant a
certificate to any whom you do not know to be of
exemplary habits.
On this subject claim your indulgence while
quote and urge on your attention the concluding
part of my last Annual Report on the condition and
prospects of the Common School system of the
State:
"Our character as people, our pursuits, material
resources aud geographical position peculiarly fit us
for the successful management of schools; and if
will only be true to ourselves, North-C Carolina
will share very largely in the education Of the chill
dren of the South
For this proud ana advantageous poSuon sue
will be mainly indebted 10 the sober and virtuous
habits Of her population and she will hold the po'
sition Just long and no longer than, her peo-
pie are distinguished by these characteristics
But all true virtue and morality are the offspring
of true religion and this brings US to the great and
certain conclusion that religion is the only sure
foundation of national prosperity.
This position is destined to become fixed ele-
mentary principle of political economy; and while
the light upon the subject will become brighter, and
the evidence more and more conclusive and over
wbelming, it seems impossible even now, and with.
out recurring the plain teachings Of the Bible to
look at the past and present condition of the world
and doubt it.
The object of all education, therefore, should be,
not to learn to dispense with the agency of God
in our AFFAIRS but to lead more directly to Him,
to open up the mind to the Truths Of His revealed
Word and to prepare the heart for submission to
His control.
Education is only blessing as means of lead
ing to these results; and the improper prejudices
raised against it due to the fact that promoters
of vain babblings, and oppositions Of science,
falsely so called" have, in certain places, confound
ed the means with the end.
All the inventions and the institutions of man are
powerless in themselves to eradicate single passion
of the natural human heart; and educational
system, based on any other idea, will inevitably be.
come a nursery Of perncious principles.
Religion only can bind men into a national broth
orhood of honest, forbearng and mutually support
ing ctzens-and without real change of the heart,
naturally selfish and depraved in all men. by the
operations of Gods spirit and through faith in
Jesus Christ education is but change of man 'ers
and not of character "The whole world lieth in
wickedness," and Christ is its only hope; and il
we build educational system on THIS Rock. it will
stand when all others not SO established are swept
away.
We are to build on it by always recognising this
principle in all our efforts at improsement-by al
lowing free to Gods appointed means. by en-
couraging free Gospel, and by acknowledging in
acts and words that however diligently labor, it
is all in vain without the guidance and the blessing
of Him, of whom and to whom are all things"
Assuring you Of my cordial sympathy in your de.
sires and efforts usefullY to discharge the duties Of
your important position, and of my readiness aid
you in any way that can,
am with much respect,
Your friend and fellow laborer
c. II. WILEY,
Sup Com. Schools for the State.
N. B. Three copies of this letter are sent to each
Chairman. one for every member Of the Examining
Committee.