Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-06-29
RUTTNND HERALD
FRIDAY, JUNE %, 1865
,,o,,, and Religious Education

their pastor, Rev. Mr my
rtterance 20 sentiments wien oeSer'o "
"a Judgement in every heart lie
4 said
.ue went behind the crime and in the
mama Of the two dead Children who are
aIive with God Almighty, and IN the
nresance OF the bereaved relatives he
imneached the whole community for the
lack of religious principle and religious
faith. Away with the life OF fashion,
the absurd standards of youth and age
AWAY with our love of money, carrying
us into all kinds OF extravaganza ana
all kinds of crime. Away with all that
infldelity which marks us through our
homes. The preacher pressek his words
home to every father and mother IN the
church, asking If before thinking oil the
dollar bill this morning they had
thought of immortality, and before they
had thought of stocks they had thought
of the Bible, He urged them TO educate
their bows and girls in such way that
when they grow TO manhood ana Wo-
manhood, such crimes would be lmpos-
sible.
All this, as we remarked deserves seri-
Gus consideration. No doubt there Is
lameutable scarcity of religious prlnci-
pies and faith in the whole community.
In this respect certainly Boston and
Roxbury are not peculiar, No doubt
also that the general state of religious
principle and religious faith" In the COM
munity has modifying and moulding
influence upon individual character.
But we suspect it will be a long time be-
fore the turbulent passions of depraved
humanity will be educated out Of exist
ence; and we do not believe the "whole
community" deserve to be 'impeaohed"
on account of diabOlical crimes. Edu'
cation and moral suasion alone will new
er constitute q complete safeguard
against their commission. The cause Of
the trouble lies far below the surface.
As the royal penitent said Of himself
emo outward forms can make me clean,
The leprosy lies deep within"
1t is in many instances a thaukless
and bootless undertaking to impart
moral and religious training to young
B persons. We appeal to teachers Of every
description if it is not so.
We may instance such cases as the
devotional exercises Of reading the
bible and prayer in the schools. The
utmost vigilance and care are often nee
essary to prevent the exercises from
losing all appearance of solemnity, and
becoming mere mockery, The same
is true to some extent in sabbath schools.
In fact the very best talent and influence
are requisite, all the powers and re-
sources of superin tendents and teachers
have to be taxed, to coax children into
the sabbath school, and keep them there
This is especially true Of boys, and is not
wholly inapplicable to girls. We may
remark that we are decidedly in favor Of
parents compelling their children to at
tend religious services, and sabbath
school if necessary; but such necessity
is matter OF regret and sorrow mas
much as it indicates deep-seated aver
sion to that which is good and right.
A few months since as we were pass
ing along the street, bevy Of young
girls came by, when the following llttl'
dialogue occurred.
FrRgr G1RL.-"why were you not a
church yesterday?
SECOND GIRL.-"O could not go yer,
we'll"
FrRsr.-"We had the catechism to re
cite"
SEcoND.-"Well, l am darned glad tina
WASN'T there them got rid OF tina
old catechism."
F1RsT.-"Never mind, you'll have t
take it some other time"
Our recollections go back to scenes
college life. The President requested hi
class. alphabetically arranged, to engag
in a bible exercise This, to our certai
knowledge, was regarded by the str
dents as an unmitigated bore, and, b
general consent, they attended thereo
in as listless and unprepared state
possible. On one occasion the lesso
was the first chapter of Job. The Pres
dent in his blandest manner said, IN
A. will you please tell me what Job d
unto evil2" Mr., A. rises respectful
and says, "Don't know Sir
PREs.-"The next: What did Job &
unto evil? 2"
Mr.. B.-"Don't know. Sir"
PREs.-"The next And what did Jt
do unto evil 2"
Mr.. C.-"Don't know, Sir,
So it went on from Alpha to Omeg
and then the president answered
"Why he esche,oed 1t did he not?"
The only apparent practical fruits
this labor of love was that the gracele
Youngsters for long time afterwar
s'eschewed" everything ercpt evil.
1t may be true that the exercise W
not conducted in the most Judicio
manner. Possibly some other m
would have succeeded better. But Il
the want of success was not who