The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-19

Lie idCCo 49, ~pc duuilGteu, tNN MohJ VI
the schools of which the teachers are Pres
byterian, receive little encouragement from
Presbyterians general and that many of
the children of Presbyterians are sent to
schools in which theysare likely to be es-
tranged from this, our Church. Not only is
this true, but the evil here referred to is in
creasing; the conscieqsss of many of our
people are becoming re obtuse on this
subject. Many of the'vschools which are
under the influence Of other denominations,
derive large share, and some the largest
share, of this patronage from Presbyterian
parents. 1t is believed that Christians Of
no other denomination are so Indifferent to
the schools that are under their own infu-
ence, or, to so great degree, encourage
schools under the influence of other churches,
as Presbyterians. Many means are used to
induce our children to attend schools in
which faith different from that of their
fathers will be instilled into them.
1t is reasonable from the nature of the
case, to suppose that the attendance of our
children at schools of other denominations
will estrange them from our Church. That
the character of human beingsis formed at an
early period of life, and by influences which
are brought to bear on them in childhood, is
truth which is regarded as trite, but which
is not sufficiently reflected on, and which has
an Importance far greater than we are ac-
customedto imagine. The youthful mind is
easily impressed; and customs, principles,
and persons become dear when associated
with the recollections of youth. The infu-
ence of the school in which secular learning
is impaired, is powerful, and is protracted
through life 1t is the influence of mature
and educated minds-the influence of sym
pathizing and beloved companions-the in
fuence of the remembrance of joyous hours
and of conscious mental improvement
Teachers not only impress the character of
their pupils in childhood, but acquire over
them an influence which they retain through
all subsequent life. Even when teacher
does not design to control the religious opin-
ions of the scholars, he silently and uncon'
sciously affects them, and he affects them in
proportion as he is amiable and intellectual,
or at least in proportion as he is admired.
But especially may the teacher influence the
principles of the pupil, when to do so is his
constant and deliberate design. We have
reason to believe that there are many schools
of some denominations, which have been es-
tablished for the express purpose of divert.
ing our children from the faith of their faith
ers, and of thus maintaining their own reli-
gious dogmas and rites.
Experience also has proved that the
children of Presbyterians sent to schools
under the influence of other denominations,
are exceedingly apt to be alienated from our
Church. Error has attractions for minds
which sin has disturbed, and it has been
clearly and sadly illustrated in the history
of too many of our children, that the splendid
inventions of corrupted churches please
more than does the simplicity of the Cos
pei, unrenewed hearts. If you send
your children to Roman Catholic schools,
you may expect them to become Romanists,
or else to become indifferent to all religion.
To permit your children to be turned from
the path of truth into that of error is an
evil serious, awful, and alarming. The
General Assembly of our Church has affirmed
the apostaey of the Roman Catholic Church,
and to encourage schools which are designed
to promote the interests of an apostate
Church is surely to be guilty of a sin of nc
small magnitude, and might justly receive
the censure of the courts of the Church.
But even if the Romish be true and moi
an apostate Church, every Protestant must
know that it inculcates doctrines false anG
pernicious, such as Presbyterians ought moi
to encourage We conscientiously believe thai
our Church has greater purity of doctrine
than any other, and it is due to her and du'
to our children that we send them where
they will be able to obtain unmutilate(
truth, or at least where they will be pre-
served from positive error. AS consisten
Presbyterians, we have no right to do wha
has tendency to build up any other Church
with the materials necessary for building vi
our own, or on the ruins of our own. W.
must be careful, by all means, to do nothin!
to establish error, and to do every thing tina
we can do for the preservation and exten
sion of truth.
AS you deem secular education indispen
sable to your children, and as you can no
properly send them to schools under the in
huence of other denominations, it is neces
sary that you encourage and establish school