Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-11

Luther labored to rescue conscience from
the dominion Of forms by teaching the peo-
pie that Justification IL by faith alone"
and his most efficient fundamentally was
giving TO The people, "tle biJle in the vul-
gar tongue" The Protestant reformation,
Bancroft says. "was the common people
awakening 10 freedom of mind" or, being
correctly taught in the truths Of Christian
ity. Thst revolution has been bnptised IN
sens Of blood and Is not yet finished ritu-
nlism still enthralls and stulti6es unnum-
bered minds.
In England during the reigns Of Henry
VIII; Edward vi; Elizabeth; James |,
and Charles I thought had been gradu-
ally emancipated by the discussion Of mat
ural rights" and the "liberty of conscience"
light dawned upon the public mind and
with nn expansion Of views an effort was
made TO establish democracy under Crom-
we'll. 1t failed by reason OF the twilight
of political principles IN which the people
were still cropping, but it led to contest
for equality against privilege, for freedom
against prerogNtive, and opened the way
for the establishment Of constitutional gov
ernments throughout Europe. BY reason Of
these discussions, tile efiete doctrines OF
! feudalism, the cruelties OF the inquisition
ually found, under Napoleon, a common
grave. That revolution also, is going for
ward in the ratio OF popular education.
From the landing Of the pilgrims in 1920
| to the declaration Of Independence in l776,
the political equality Of man, though still
wrapped in mists, was ever present to the
\ thoughts Of the British colonirtE OF North
America. BY reading, by study and refcc-
ton, light was gradually evolved, and this
sentiment became an elementary portion Of
their intellectual and moral being, prosccu-
ton, oppression and great suffering could
| not suppress, or even induce partial sur
render of it, and it was this principle, deep
! ly planted in the heart whish sustained
and rendered unconqucrable mere hand
ful of men contending against the colossal ]
power of Great Britain. In this We have
a sublime exemplihcation Of the power of
! the educated common mind.
Reasoning thence from history the moral
revolution sought, can be effected only by
or through the enlightenment OF the gen
eral mind. To reach and enlighten all, the
plan or scheme to this end, must bc snfIi-
ciently comprehensive TO embrace all within
its mini>trnlioms II must be enduring M
and civil social organizations, and in its
nature susceptible OF funceasing application.
| III it does not contain these cha -ncteristics
it must necessarily fail Of success. Partial
| aud intermittent instruction ever has and
ever must result in disappointment. Thced-
ucntion must he universal and from the
ground upward and its commencement
should not be delayed.
What other means so ftly adapted for
the accomplishment OF the great object
songht rs the common, public school? Its
existence runs parallel with the life Of the
State, and its vitality and vIgor main.
taincd by life.giving blood contributed hy
all. 1t is no respecter Of persons but at all
times stretches forth its hands to all and
sooner or later all are EMBODIED within its
arms and become the recipients of those
precious blessings; mental and moral en-
franchisement. And when the people be.
come enlightened to particular purpose
in that purpose. their wH is invincible. II
that purpose is approved by judgment and
conscience; " the voice of the people is the
| voice Of God"