Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-08-07

1 .
furnish tho minds of tho rising generation
with that truth which is absolutely necessary
TO enable thom to accomplish thoir high
destiny. Then lotus cling to tho Bible with
filial affection and ardent devotion; and let
us SEQ to it that the minds Of the dear chill
dren orc not poisoned with that which is for
cgn and opposed to the Bible; but let us
ornament their minds with the grand and
beautiful truths which arc alone fond in the
word Of Cod There is not form of infidel-
ity--1 care not whether it bo straight out
atheism and nihilism, or whether it exists in
somo of tho mlder forms such ns modern
spritualism, &c.--that does not in itself imply
tho rejection of tho Bible as q whole or somo
parts of it. IF succeed in tho least today
Of imprcssing moro deeply on tho minds of
tho fathers und mothers hero present the
great Importance of an early religious
education and can increase but even lit
tlo their opposition to all tho forms
of modern infdclity, shall have acr
complshed oil / ask. But do not un.
derstand mo in any way as expressing any
fcar whatever that inGdclity with all it's pow
crs shall interfere in tho least with the great
and glorious schemes Of the church in this
Christian country. All the lIumcs, all tho
Votaircs, oil the Derwins, and all their do
sccndants, if thoy wcrc turned loose IN this
country, could not shake tho mighty and
everlasting fabric Of our glorious. Christian
religion. TO do this they would 'havo to
destroy the Biblc with all its helps and aux.
iliaries; and after they destroyed these as
such still greater task would rise up before
them: they would have to destroy the written
and spoken language Of this country; for tho
truths and expressions Of tho Bible havo SO
thoroughly permcatcd and interwoven them.
selves with our language, that to extract them,
would about destroy tho language. Even il
they were 20 succeed in doing this, there
would be n still stronger and still mighticr
power with which to contend; thoy would
have to destroy tho everlasting truth Of God,
which is SO firmly established in tho hearts of
Ills pooplc.
But looking at this great enemy with
which tho church has to deal from one point
Of view, it is to be feared that there is some
danger. | have reference to tho danger Of
them leading tho rising generation astray
VI course the children should be reiigiously
educated, regardless of their evil influences;
but since they exist those who aro Interested
in their education should be moro thoroughly
aroused on this subject. While tho tide of
inidelity is sweeping over the land, let US
hold fast to the precious lambs Of tho flock
that they DO not swept away. There is great
importance of starting them right Tho
early education of On individual does tho
work generally Of shipping his course and
character in life. AS the stream Of life flows
from tho fountain head, it begins to increase
in strength and size. Now branches and
tributaries flow in to deepen and mako wider
the main stream. Now let this stream start
in tho right direction from the beginning,
then these additional forces will bo 80 much
to keep the main stream in tho right dircc-
ton. But let tho stream start in tho wrong
direction and it will ever have the tendency
cnccd by an opposite power And remember
that the life of every individual is certain 10
develop ITSELF either in the right or wrong
directions Every individual cxcrts q power
for good or for evil. This Development COM
menccs very carly in lifc much earlier than
is supposed by many. The early lessons and
impressions are, | believe, the most lasting
and influential in shaping the character.
How lmportans then, is it that we impnrt to the
rising generation II religious education! AS
long as tho Christian people stand by and
encourage our Sunday Schools, and give to
their children Mt homo religious education,
We may have the highest hopes of the future
fortunes both Of the Church and State. But
ii they neglect tho Sunday Schools and the
other means of mparting to the youth IL rcli-
Glous education, q general catastrophe will
sweep over our country which will cnrclop
her i'll u cloud Of darkness and nfidclity.
There is very little danger Of our people thus
ncglccting their religious institutions, but if
they should, sc may fear and actually trcma
bic for our countrys very existence. This is
no lancicd picture of my own production and
imagination. 1t is history. Would you have
an historical example proving tho necessity
Of religious instruction? Take the common
example Of France. which ought to stop the
mouth Of every iniidcl and afford Il lesson to
all succeeding nations thatu government cans
not exist long without the salutary influences
and restraints Of religion. a mere Intellect
ual education will not suffice. There is moth
ing That can tako tho place Of religious
education, rs tho example Of France proves.
Sho presents one Of the most horrible spccta,
clcs of all history, which vas caused simply
by rejecting religious instruction and author.
ity. She refused to hear tho voice Of her
God and TO recognize His rule over her; SO
her destruction followed. For, rs DR.. Alex,