Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-05-26
Sabbath Schools.

We have long valued the institution of Sab
bath Schools, beyond most of the appliances
OF the Church of Christ, as the best means of
religious and moral instruction to the rising
generation, and the most sure method of ma
king good citizens, firm patriots, and law
loving people of this vast Republic. We
shall never forget the excellent lessons impress
sed upon our youthful mind in the Sabbath
School. Hence as a conservator and promo
ter OF the public morals and the patriotism
OF the country, we urge all classes of commu-
nifty IN these days of laxity and indifference,
to come forward heartily to the support and
promotion of these valuable institutions. It
IS highly gratifying to find that our estimate
OF these institutions, is so fully endorsed by
the great and wise men of our land. The
names of Webster and Jefferson, are a tower
of strength in support of any measure, and
we beg the careful consideration of our rea-
ders, to their views of Sabbath Schools. Most
men and women have some time to spare to
give their service to them. All can send
their children, rich or poor, to them, without
injury or degradation. None are too wise OF
noble, to perform the humble task Of teacher
} in a Sabbath School. Hear what Mr.. Web
ster, says:
y sThe-Sabhath schools ona~1 szAae
e institutions of the day. 1t leads our youth
r IN the paths Of truth and morality, and makes
. them good men and useful citizens. As a
school for religious instruction it is of ineSti-
mable value-as a civil institution ii is price
Or less, and has done more to preserve our lib
"A erles than grave statesmen and armed sol
dlers. Let it then be fostered and preserved
O. until the end of time y
" While on a visit to the sage of Monticello,
r Mr.. Webster says, NJ jefferson fully coin
cided" with him. We confess to more ,aan
pleasure in this statement. Mr.. jefferson
has all along been associated in the public
mind, as an inidel. His views of Christian
ty were far below the orthodox standard
hence we gladly take the crumb of comfort
- which the following extract affords. 1t come,
very OPPORTUNITY too, at a time, when it is
- said, his latest biographer, Mr.. Randall, gloat.
upon his inidel opinions and is proud to pre-
sent Mr.. Jefferson as a reviler of the preten
:
the "' D''Hity
. Mr.. Webster says:
,StS Mr.. Jefferson observed that the tendenc
of the American mind was in a different d
oP- ~rection, a very different direction and thu
not Sunday Schools Che did not use our MOI
all correct term, Sabbath) presented the onl
legitimate means, under the Constitution,
avoiding the rock on which the French r
public was wrecked. Burke said he nev,
du- uttered a more important truth than whC
&? Is he exclaimed that q religious education W
Iron the cheap defenseof nations" 'Raikes,' sa
nth trv than the present 0nnorotion r;E acLnor
t OF edge perhaps, when | am cold, he will 0
pre- tain his reward ; l hope so, earnestly ho
so [ am considered by many, Mr.. Webst,
to have little religion, but this is not time
" oh correct errors of this sort, | have alwa
said, and always will say, that the studio
GEMS peruSal of the sacred volume will make b
.b;ld ter citizens, better fathers and better h
bands. Of the distinguished Raikes, he v
icy : 'ctarum ct venerable ROmen."
- While on this subject, we will take t
liberty to remark, that we are strongly I'M
ned to doubt, whether the improvements
"in late years, in which the study of Catechis
VIZ and Bible Questions have been made to M
opolize the time and attention of students
the entire exclusion of the old system
committing to memory the text of the Sac
Scriptures, are really improvements.
= ~ should be glad to see a return to it, not h
IT, ever to the entire exclusion ofcatechisms a
ou Bible Questions. Nothing in our judgem
Ee answers the place of the regular and syst,
% attic habit of committing to memory and
m.nd citing correctly, every Sabbath, portions of
49, precious Bible.