American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-07-16

world is so prone to plunge, as the i'm
provemcnt of the mass of mankind -
nothing so adequate to the labor az
early religious education. And this is
the object of the Sabbath School. To
some extent sit supplies parental neg
lect and deficiency, and aids parental
faithfulness." 1t acts upon the prin.
ciple that the human mind cannot be
too early instructed in religious truths,
and that when the memory is stored
with scriptural texts and illustrations,
it comes to the rescue in temptation s
darkest hour" with gentle wooings OF
its spirit, whispering, "Ihis is the way,
walk ye therein"
1t affords a means Of instruction,
alike to tho moral and intellectual ca
pacities of its pupils. There is perhaps
no country that offers the educational
advantages of ours; yet legislative en-
actments, in majority of the States
of this Union, have rendered almost
useless the provision made for the in
digent, by the stigma placed upon those
who are willing to submit to the humi.
liating appcllation of " the poor" The
statistics of our own State show a ma,
Jority who cannot read: hore then are
numbers who will grow up and be edu-
Gated in industry or idlcness, in know
ledge or ignorance, in virtue or vice.
The common school mag furnish the
necessary requisites to form safe.
guard to national 4 individual welfare
and prosperity; but the poor are devoid
of this. The Sabbath School steps in
here then, and by the pecularity of
its genius, develops the mental faculties
with the culture of the heart. The
common school may aim at this in it's
results, but falls far short of accom-
plishing the end. And above all does
the Sabbath School, in this genial com
bination, promote the religious and
moral education of the rising genera
ton. Looking at the intellectual and
moral being, it views mankind as pro
pairing on earth for>an endless felicity
beyond the scenes of time. 1t seeks,
through the enlightenment of the mind
to bring to bear the simple and beauti.
full truths of the Scriptures. in the
cultivation of the affections it recog-
nizes that knowledge is power" yet
that there is no wisdom like that which
"descendcth from above; & it points
to consultations within the sacred pages
that can sootbe the darkest hours Of
misfortune and advcrsity.
Such an education can but ct man
to act well his part in all the walks o.
life, whilst it prepares him for the en-
joyments of an immortal sphere. Such
an education is invaluable, and treasu-
red in a "good and honest heart, '.will
enable him to discern thro' the dark.
ness of his earthly pilgrimage the,etar
-of a glorious eternity.
One Of the eminent advantages
of this institution is, it furnishes a
reading that exerts an influence for
good, not only upon its scholars, but
upon whole communities.
Let me write the ballads of ma
ton, Il / care not who makes it's laws, F"
was the remark of q discriminating
philosopher, and thorough judge of
human nature. The observation was
predicated upon true knowledge of
the close alliance between q we'll ,rogu.
lated moral sentiment and firm civil
government. qIhis reading is gratui-
tous; it Gnds its way to the home of the
humble eottagcr, and the mansion OF
the wealthy. The Sabbath School also
discards all distinctions which sooner
or later draw line of demarcation in
almost every institution. Here, all
meet upon equal ground; its benefits
are bestowed alike upon tho lowly ones
OF earth, the children of the sons and
daughters of toll, and the children oi
opulence surrounded with the comforts
and the luxuries of life. None are sc
low as to cease to be the objects of its
regard and solicitude; none so high as
to be beyond the aid of its fostering
influence AL can seek it's threshold
and oil derive the benefits flowing from
its "inner court"
But the Sabbath School is yet to be
considered in q light wherein it exer.
clses Its most powerful agency. Its
blessings are principally conferred bp
on the young. "In the morning Of
life the memory is rotentive" -preiu
dices, if any exist at all, Ore yet foe.
ble--the promptings Of conscience are
more readily obeyed--whilst The heart
is tender and susceptible to the moni.
tiohs Of truth and piety, without the
overwhelming reasoning required for
rlper years. 1t 10 then that impres.
slons are more easily made which con.
tinuo to exert, througbout the whole
course Of life, an influence for good ,or