Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-04

you can positively affirm that your own chill
dren are secure, even with your best care
Society around through all its classes, must
be moved and moulded anew, before any
faithful father and mother can possibly be re-
lieved from anxiety and painful watchfulness.
Yes, reform in the ideas, the habits, the inau-
onccs, the training Of the family, is needed
it must be had, aud it WILL be. The promi-
nent, the pressing question is ho0 shall this
reform be brought abouts
Analogy replies and instructs. The great
popular reforms Of the age are carried on, in
part at least, through public gatherings and
the living voice Agriculture and various
other material interests are evidently advanc-
ed by associations and oxtemporaneous speech,
and by more familiar conference Of man with
man. Common schools and Sunday-schools
are improved by conventions and Institutes,
and the personal interchange Of ideas and ex-
periences. The same methods can be adopted
in behalf of the family, wherein not only the
smaller evils, but the gigantic wrongs, Of so
ciety mostly have their unnoticed origin
The experiment, indeed, has already been
tried, and an auspicious opening been made
In numerous cities towns and villages, chief
Is in New England, meetings and discussions
have been held There has been generally a
full, and sometimes crowded attendance
and with the most encouraging results. Even
some very intelligent parents have acknowl-
edged their obligations to them as the source
Of new or clearer ideas, and a wider compre-
hension of the subject The young seemed
as much interested as the heads Of families
themselves. they have felt that they were
thus most essentially preparing to make and
deserve happy homes of their own in the fu
ture. The numerous illustrative anecdotes
have attracted the curiosity and touched the
hearts of children. while they have fastened
principles aud ideas on the memories Of the
mature.
Further. during three consecutive Legisla-
tive sessions beginning with that Of 1858,
series of meetings has been conducted by the
undersigned at the State House, in Boston, in
behalf Of those deepest and broadest lounda-
tions OF the Commonwealth, the Homes Of
the people. His Exceiency. Governor Banks
presided on the initiatory occasion and he
also opened the course Of the second season.
Some OF the most eminent men in the commu-
nifty took part IN the discussions. or made ad-
dresses. TO this it may be added. that the
Governors uf Now Hampshire and Vermont
have each presided at meeting, in the same
behalf. at the Representatives Hall Of their
respective States. Thus, for the first time in
history, it is believed, the Cause Of Home fe
sponsibiity. care. and culture, has been car
ried into the Capitols of States, and made to
look forth upon the people. and speak to them
under the highest auspices.
The following testimonials, out Of many
others, are submitted. The first IS from
twelve clergymen; from few eminent teach
ers, and from the present eminent head Of
Brown University together with a confvma-
tory word FROM thevenerable ex-President Of
the same Institution, and the distinguished
Episcopal Bishop Of Rhode Island
PnarfpgNor Il. l.. MAY. 1850.
series Of trli,c pretus,, initiated by Rev. WAN.
nEN BrHruN aud conducted in accordance with his ar
rAngcmeti, has been held during part of the winter
and spring months Of this year in different churches and
vesries IN city for the promotion Of Home Educa-
ton These meetings have been very fully attended
and. In cases. large numbers that 20 listen
could not be accommodated. Subjects OF practical
character have been discussed and INC manner nf treat
ing them has sucL secure aud reward the at
tenton of the numerous audiences Men Of varous pro.
essions and clings have come forward and given their
words Of counsel and encouragement Clergymeu OF df
reut commun1ns have stood forth side by side plcadng
the cause Of good cducat0u and thus discussing the
principles which uudere our social fabric. We believe
bat great good has resulted. and continues result,
from these meeing Many parents have been quicken
ed in duty and led tudy the philosophy aud science
Of education never before. The family an eduea-
uonal aud preparatory institution for all the life after
ward, has been invested with new importance in the eyes
Of our people We believe that similar meetings could
be held with great advantage throughout the length and
breadth of our country.
SAMUEL WoLCOrT, 7. d. Cook.
5. w. FIELD, GEORGE T. DAY,
EDWARD 3. HALL, A. II. CLAPr,
II. II. CoNKLIN. EDWIN NJ. STONE.
IoSArnAN LEAglrS. JoHS kIS0sBuRv,
A. H. GHASaKH. Asos prKRY
crKrs q PAY. sAmrEf $ GKEEsE.
NJ hIcHAhns. BAAsAs SEARS
DANIEL LstcM
We hrenot been able to attend the meetings spoken
0f above BELIEVE made
correct and concur in the opinion expressed.
FRANcis WAvLASD,
Thomas NJ CLARK.
A similar course was held in the same city
: during the subsequent winter, and with equal
success Indeed, single season makes but
: beginning. The work should continue from
= yeal to year like other benevolent enrerpris-
, es, till the science and art of education shall
be thoroughly understood at least, till there
is no further need of indispensable reform.
Rev. C. A. Bradley, in private letter pub
; lished in the " Boston Journal" thus speaks
of a movement which occurred in Brewster.
} on Cape Cod, a few winters ago
Meetings we're held in the churches and in every
school house in town for the discussion Of questions
practical impoTtanoe-questons which bore directly up
church The fathers often expressed themselves quite
freely and the mothers the teachers and other friends
made many excellent suggestions in writing, which
Among the results plainly be seen are better school
houses better schools, larger appropriations and
apparatus also better discipline and more quiet
aud doubt not, II could look into the hearts and
, homes " the people, we should see than now
thiuk o.
II seems 10 me- that II this plan or a similar one
could be adopted in every town, would be Of the
most potent nsumentaltes in the hands Of Educators
and Christian Reformers. Thousands could be thus
reached who could be reached in no other way"
Numerous other testimonials might be add
: ed, were there space. Suffice it to say, that,
in various places, besides, the success of this
8 movement has been generally altogether be.
yond anticipation. THIS mode of operation
, extended and persevered in as it might be,
and attended by the divine influences and
blessing, would doubtless be one of the most
I efficient means of that renovation in private
and in national character which is now so
deeply felt to be need.
1t is not at all important that the humble
( proposer of this measure, as in the case of
T Providence and other places, should himself
come and give a preliminary address, and
: then go from one person to another to make
, definite arrangements. No: the matter is
too vast and momentous, the perils Of delay
p too imminent, for progress so tardy. If the
3 ta1 l..