The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-09-11

would say, generally, would take enough
there to teach the American youth that
we hold TO the system Of the christian re-
ligion Of our fathers as still our heritage.
! would teach him, how his colonial an
cestry, before taking up the gage Of battle
which ushered 10 the seven years struggle
for American freedom, first sought the altar
where TO imploFe divine guidance to their
counsels, and safety TO their steps. l
would take him to the inspiring scenes
around Yorktown and point him TO the
battle-worn soldier who has just won the
cause Of American liberty, 10 loyalty TO
God, no less than to country. would
remind him Of how at the close Of that
mighty drama, the hearts Of the American
people bsat with intense thanksgiving 10
the God Of war, for their deliyerance, for
the perils that were over, and for the
hopes that were before.
would have him study that memorable
national ordinance Of 1887, wherein is
declared "religion, morality and know
ledge being necessary to good government
and the happiness Of mankind, schools
and means Of education shall ever be eu-
eouraged." ("
would bring him down nearer 10 our
day and generation, and seat him before
the great Webster, as be rises In the forum,
in all the majesty Of his powers to de-
nounce the Girard Will, as void and inya-
lid, because il enjoiued, in order to ex-
clude christianity from his college, that no
minister of the Gospel should evlr enter
its walls-hear him, as he rises 10 the
height Of his argument, with vision
peering along the line Of that vast out
stretch Of time, where he hoped the ma
tons course and destiny lay as he utteTs
these memorable words-aIn what age,
by what sect, where, when, by whom has
religious truth been excluded from the
education Of YOUTH Nowhere, never |
Everywhere and at all times il has been
regarded rs essential IL is the vitality Of
useful instruction" And again | would
take him to the lecture room Of that pro-
found jurist, ,philanthropist aud good man
Of our own day, Prof. John b. Minor,
who holds at present, As you well know, a
chair in the University Of Virginia, and
hear what he has 10 say upon the direct
question now under review. He says
at must be acknowledged 10 be one ol
the most remarkable phenomena Of our
perverted humanity, that among chris
tian people, and in Protestant land, sucl
discussion las whether the education Of
youth may not be secularlized) should no
seem as absurd as 10 inquire whethel
school rooms should not be located unde
water or in darksome cayerns Th
jew, the Mohammedan, the followers oi
: Confacius and Of Brahma, each and all ar
7 careful to instruct the youth Of their pee
> pie in the tenets Of the religion they pre-
D fess, and are not content until by direc
T and reiterated teaching, they have bee
. made acquainted with at least the outline
Of the books which contain as they belle,
e the revealed will Of deity Whence com,
d it that christians are 50 indifferent 10
daty 30 obvious aud so obviously reeo
d nized by jew and Pagan Has it con
" TO this; then We shall virtually cease
. recognize religious truth in the affairs
tANh Aua uaAaou1t Ouab WEg ~ Cuct
1t agree in the conclusion Of Buckle, that 1
in system Of the christian religion has in
times been hindrance 10 civilization a
er the progress Of man? Shall we in &
er contend with Spencer, Harrison and III
in other host Of eo-laborers in the field
ID science and speculative thought, that 4
70 faith Of our fathers and our own has
., better foundation to rest upon than ignC
Is ance and superstitionY Before we a
ie prove too far Of this tendency to secula
:. ire education, let Us be sure Of our rec
d onings and the course upon which We Al
'e bent. We carry too much precious freigl
>, to run the risk Of mistake.
n America is yet in the FIRST flush Of b,
II youth, buoyant Of hope, full Of promise
the future, and confident ia her destin
' And may the God Of our fathers spec
. her on to glorious one, for in that mi
y sion is bound up the hopes Of the RAJ
: and of frufh itself