Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-04-29
Educational.
EDUCATION AND CHRISTIANITY.
Third Article.
For the Bedford IYiq,arer.

In christian lands alone, where the school and
church are sacredly guarded, do we find free nsti-
tutlons, and people of self government. Chris
tianity and Education are the salt of the earth
that saves 1.-THE light of the world that reveals
the way toa stin brighter future.
Our ancestors were once plumed and painted
savages, living in miserable huts on the shores of
the German sea, drinking their beer out of hu-
man skulls and worshiping Wodin and Thor.
Now look at the cultivated valleys, verdant plains
| and rich meadow landsof England, or the better
heritage which is our on this side the water Mark
the general morality, culture and refinement of
| the people. Look at palatial mansions and white
! cottages embowered with vines; at such noble edi-
fees as Westminster Abby St Paul's Cathedral.
and the Athaneum in London, or the public build
ings in our own national metropolis, listen
to the sweet strains coming down to us from harps
struck by the fingers ofa Milton, Drydenand Cow
per or hearken TO the stirring eloquence Of Fox
Pitt, or Webster or open your ears to the vol
ces of sublime harmony which risefrom either land
to-day, and tsll newhy the astdifFerence between
cur forefathers Of 1000 years ago, and the Anglo
Saxon race Of the present Ibeeve we owe il
to the Christianity prcpagated by the noble Al
fred, who died translating the psalms of David
to the principles Of Bible truth communicated by
such men as Suecat, Columbia, Aidan and the
coed seed silently depositedin savage minds bypi-
GUS merchants from the banks of the Meander and
the Hermas, who were wont to visit the shores of
Britain.
To Christianity we owe it that our condition
as people is so vastly superior to that of China,
the 'fowery land, with all its intelligence and
learning, the abode Of superstition, cruelty and
crime. To Christianity we owe it that the Feudal
System, which reared walled castleon the hilltop.
and eoRgreeated an ignorant, dependent populace
at its base, has forever passed away To Christi
tianity We owe it that gadatoral shows, where |
shouts Of applause welcomed the mangled and |
bleeding gladiator, and crowned the man who slew |
his fellow exhibitions encouraged by the intel- |
gence, and created for the entertainment of the
polished society of Rome have gone into disuse, |
never again to be revived, In short, to this ref
ming, elesating system of Religion, working with /
and sanctifying our varied educational appliances,
we are indebted for everything which exalts us |
above the learned, but unchristinizsd nations of |
the present or the past.
Again; Christianity and Education are alone suf-
fcient to perpetuate free institutions and secure
steady advancement in Civilization 1t was when
science was at its height, and Roman orators were
IN their glory, that Cesar passed the Rubcon, and
the end of a mighty empire was forshadowed. -
dreelan culture, which had gone upward in its
quiet march to the zenith, stood but amoment on
that dizzy elevation, and then, like glowing me-
teor, fled downward into darkness, and the glory
Of Greece, with its boasted liberties, was gone for
ever
ThessSaveler who now walks among the relies of
ancient greatness looks upon the scattered frag-
nents of Romulus, the sculptured marble of Aure-
aus or sits in silence amid the ruins of the Areo-
pagus and Lyceum, may learn the instability of all
governments which are not permeated bvthe leay-
IN of Christianity
The names of orators and poets, who stirred
he passions, or charmed with flowing numbers
hall live forever
"Ther spirits wrapped the dusky mountain
Their memory sparkles in the fountains,
The meanest ri and mightiest river
Rolls ningling with their fame forever"
But how sad the reflection that in the abuence
4 Christianity to sanctify their talents and con-
eTye their liberties, their glowing sun is gone
aek intodarkness, and thus is prolonged that wea-
= passage by which our world must 60 into the
be light and liberty of a Millennium Day. h
By every consideration drawn from the present
nd the future, by the blessings of high civiza-
ion and the permanent advancement of the hu- !
nan race. we urge the union of Education with !
Christianity. Let our literature be sancthed by I
iehgion. Let our common schools live and -four
n in union with it, Let the groves of Academus
mistaken zeal which labors for the exclusion of the
'ibe from the school-room, and in its blindness,
blinking to avoid every thing sectariap, sacrifices /;