The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

we consider the solicitude manifested on this
subject in Scripture"
have copied this extract for the purpose
of showing the one topic of discussion under
the first head. 1t is not the want of piety,
nor the want of industry, zeal nor any such
thing. 1t is the want of intelligence-and
of Intellectual training. In discussing the
first head, there is the following subdivision.
: 81. AN IGNORANT CLERGY is INJURIOUS
TO THE INTERESTS OF EDUCATION" This
point is discussed under three other subdivi-
sions, so obvious that deem it unnecessary
to name them. In the next place
"II. IGNORANCE IN THE CLERGY IS DEEPLY
INJURIOUS TO THE INTERESTS OF RELIGION. "
This again is discussed under the following
particulars:
"1st ignorance IN the clergy often intro
O.s,ss and propasatss false d0ctrise; and thss
y :..:s.. ~r7.sssIny che Word y 49,
End Ignorast teachers often do injury
to religion By the erhi6ition Of limited and
erroneous views Of Christian morality.
"3rd. Ignorance in religious teachers as
injurious, because they do not knOw hOw to
manage religious ereitsmsRts.
Here the preacher laid out his strength.
He moved along like giant, gathering force
at every stride. He swept through the an
mails of churches now ad,-of those in
Great Britain, and on the continent of Eu-
rope,-of the churches in our own land for
argument, and the argument from history
was overwhelming. Every eye was fixed,
every ear was open, every soul was feeling
as much as he could bear. The preacher
was preaching to people whose ancestors
had enjoyed the pastoral labors of DR., John
Blair Smith, Rev, Drury Lacy, Drs. Archi-
bald Alexander, and Moses Hoge, all of
whom are now dead. For time they
seemed to live, and lowering as it were over
that mighty congregation, and that mightier
speaker, to inspire them with awe, as he
poured forth a torrent of eloquence which
thrilled every nerve within them. Some
wept, some sprung to their feet, while some
ungodly College, students swore "There nev.
er was the like" was there-that bright,
balmy, glorious day in September-and saw
every thing, and heard every thing, and felt
every thing. Not even professor of reli-
gion then-for was "bOrn out of due tim"
but the leader of the choir, when the ser
mon was closed and the collection taken up,
my pocket was emptied of all it had in it
a good sized old Virginia Bank bill, and
three dollars and half in silver. But l
have given more or less every year since to
the cause of education,-so that IL was not
a mere impulse of the movement. But am
going too fast, the sermon is not done yet.
must hasten on. The second head of dis.
course is this:
al. WHAT THEN, is IT OUR DUTY TO DO AS
CITIZENS AND PATRIOTS, IN RELATION TO THIS
GREAT sUBJEoT?" This is discussed as fol-
lows:
"1st. We are bound by allegiance to the
Church and to the country, tOpromOte as far
as possible the ntellectualimprOvemsnt of the
people" This point is ably handled. cable
preachers, says he, "make an enlightened
people; and an enlightened people demand and
will have able preachers" And this reminds
me of what l heard the venerable DR.. Alex
ander say in large company of friends,
some As or so years ago" If you plant one
foot of compass on the old College church,
and open the other 80 miles, and describe a
circle, it will take in larger number of highly
educated, we'll bred, and piOus people than
can be found within the same limits, in any
other country-nsigh6OrhOOd in the United
States" And DR.. Rice made this plain, by
facts.
"2nd. Highly as We value knowledge, We
maintain that of itself it is not sufficient to
secure the order of society or the happiness
of men" So he proceeds under this diVi'
sion to speak of the
"Pilpit-"the pulpit, in the sober use
Of its legitimate, peculiar powers
Mnstsand acknowledged while the world shall stand
The most important and efectual guard,
Support and ornament of virtues cause"
On this topic again, he is grand,-sweep,
ing the ages for proof.
"3rd. 1t follows from all that has been
said, that It is the duty Of euery one to do
what he can for TIE preaOtiea Of true reh.
gion
This leads to the third division of our
discourse.
GIL WHAT ARE TIE MEANS FOR EFFECT
INC THIS OBJECT, BEST ADAPTED TO THE SIT
UAT1oN AND HABITS OF OUR COUNTRY, AND
THE GENIUS OF OUR INSTITUTIONS?
"Here, says he, "the preacher has to
encounter a great variety of opinions, and
some pretty deep and bitter prejudices. -
So he asks the patient attention of his au-
dience still longer.
There are, says he, "Only three meth
DDS, as far as 1 now see, in relation to the
great subject before us, which can be pur'
sued in any country. l. Religion must be
established by law, and religious teachers be
furnished and supported at the expense Of
the State. 2. Or this whole matter must BE-
altogether let alone not only by the State
but by individual citizens. 3. Or, finally
the different denominations of Christians
-. ,o,,orallv oosociata and furnish foI