Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-11-19
CoIorcd Education.

THE DELAWARE ASSOCIATIONS ADDRESS TO THE
PUBLIC.
The Delaware Association for the Moral I'm
provement and Education Of the Colored Peo-
pie has recently issued an address to the public.
After brief review of work accomplished DUR
ing the first two years of the societys existence,
the address continues as follows;-
"We now propose 10 continue and enlarge
our operations, aud hope, through the experience
that has been acquired, to render them more
efficient and useful We would keep constantly
In view the highest good of the class for whose
welfare they were undertaken. Our title, 1.-THE
Delaware Association for the Moral Improvement
and Education of the Colored People, Indicates
our design. We piece "Moral Improvement
first, as our primary and most important object
We value Education as one OF lhc means to a
higher end. The acquisition ofuscfu knowledge
indeed is productive of many advantages. IL en-
larges the mind, opens new sources oi enjoyment,
qualities for more varied Industrial pursuits,
makes the man or the woman more valuable
mcmber Of the community, improves the home,
| tends to the diminution OF pauperism and crime,
| and is thus public benefit. But we look be-
yond intellectual development and material in
ierests Education without moral improvement
| and religious principle is defective and unsound.
| Genuine morality Is founded upon the revealed
word of God. and must be learned from the great
Teacher of truth and righteousness. From the
Savior of mankind alone can be acquired those
l
| nature and purify the heart, which raise men
above the seductions of passion and sense, make
life happiness and blessing and gild and bright
en- the grave. We hope that our Association may
promote in some degree pure and undehled re-
| iigion, and may prepare those placed under Its
Influence for more enlightened and practical faith.
From the outset our society has been without
denomnatonal bias, comprehending members
| of various Christian bodies. Without infringing
upon this principle we think the great truths OF
| tile gospel, bearing upon the heart and life, may
be impaired well as secular knowledge
| We shall rejoice greatly, If In our Schools the
foundation be laid OF that "godliness" which sis
| profitable for all things. having the promise Of
the life that now is,and OF that which is to come.
| We teach reverence to The Holy Scriptures, by
having portion thereof read at the daily opening
of the School, together with the use o. the Lord
/ prayer. We consider 1t recommendation to a
teacher when religious instruction on the Lords
day is given to those who are taught the ordinary
school studies during the week. And we would
have our teachers embrace suitable occasions oil
inculcatng moral duties upon scripiural princl-
| pies. We look upon thosS for whose benefit this
Association was formed, as children OF our one
Father in Heaven-cmbracedin the great redemp-
tion of the Son of God-invted by the same Gus
pei which is our hope, and capable of rising with
| us TO glory, honor aud immortality.
In the renewed labors upon which we are now
entering, we hope 10 be sustained and encouraged
by those who desire to befriend long neglected
class of our population, who not only would pro.
mote their present advantage and social improve
ment, but who also care for their souls. Ts those
who eyinpathlze with us we shall look for words
of cheer and substantial tokens OF interest
Our enterprise cannot be carried forward with.
out the liberal aid of Its friends and well-wshers
Let those who have freely received freely give
and, pendventnre, In the great day, the en-
tbroned Christ may recall the benefaction, anl
say, F" Inasmuch as We did 1t unto one Of the leas
Of these my brethren, ye did 1t unto ME-"