Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-13
We6Ster dnd Jefferson on Sunday
Schools.


Schools.
The Sabbath school is one OF the great
institutions of the day. II leads our
youth into the path OF truth and morality,
aud makes them good men and useful
citizens. As school OF religious in
struclion it is OF inestimable value; as q
civil institution it is priceless. and has
done more to preserve our liberties than
crave statesmen and armed soldiers
Let il then be lostered and preserved un-
Ill the end OF time! | once defended a
man charged with the awful crime OF
murder. At the conclusion OF the trial
asked him what could induce him TO stain
his hands with tho blood Of fellow be-
ing. Turning his bloodshot eyes full
upon me, he replied. in voice OF des-
pair, "Mr. Webster, in my youth spent
the holy Sabbalh in evil amusements, in
stead OF lrequenting the house OF prayer
and praise" Could we go back to the
early years OF all hardened criminals, l
believe, yes, firmly believe, that their
first departure from their path OF morally
was when they abandoned the Sa0oath
school, and their subsequent crimes might
thus be traced back to the neglect OF
youthful religious instruction. Many
years ago spent Sabbath with Thomas
Jefferson, at his residence in Virginia
L. was in the month OF June, and the
weather was delightful. While engaged
in discussing the beauties OF the Bible
the sound of Il bell broke upon our ears
when turning to the Sage of Monticello
| remarked, How sweetly, how very
sweetly, sounds the Sabbath bells I" Inc
distinguished statesman for q moment
seemed lost in thought. and then replied /;
"Yes, ly dear Webster, yes; 1t melts
the heart, it calms our passion, and
makes US boys again" Here observed
that man was the only animal formed Tor
religiou worship, and that notwithstand-
ing all the sophistry OF Epicurus, Lucre-
thus and Votaire, the Scriptures stood
upon a rock as firm, as unmoyable, MS
truth itself; that man in his purer, loltier
breathings turned the mental eyes toward
immortality, and that the poet only ech-
oed the general sentiment OF our nature
in saving that 1.-THE soul. secure IN her
existence, smiles at the drawn dagger,
and deies its point"
Mr.. Jefferson fully concurred IN 'hl'
opinion, and observed that the tendency
of the American mind was in diileren
direction; aud that Sunday schools (he
did not use our more correct term, SAB
bath) presented the only Legitimate
! means. under the Constitution, OF AVOID
ing the rock on which the French Repub
lie was wrecked. Burke" said he,
"neyer uttered a more important truth
than when he exclaimed that re
ieious education was the cheap defence
of nations" "Raikes." said MIR. Jetfer'
son, has done more for our country thai
the present generation will acknowledge
perhaps when l am cold he will obtain
his reward; | hope so, earnestly hope so
am considered by many, Mr.. Webster
to have little religion, but now is not th'
time to correct errors OF this sort.
have always said, and always will say
that the studious perusal OF the sacret
volume will make better citizens, bette
fathers, and better husbands. OF the dis
tinguished R4ikes, he was clartm et zen
erdJilc 7sonlen." | took the liberty o
saying that found more pleasure in lie
brew poetry than in the best production
of Cir eece and Rome; that the thar
upon the willows by Babylon" had charm
for me beyond anything in the number
of the blind mau of Smyrna.