The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-22

Mr.. Editor: 1 have been a constant
reader of The Wilmington Messenger
for several years, n 1 have not been
more gratified by any %utterance Of the
p than your recent WISE, anQ
timely deliveranceS on the alu of ed
ucation as an all sufficient power for
the uplifting, and salvation Of men.
1t is truly gratifying to read, an able,
progressive, and yet. conservative pa
per, that holds such sound views on
such an important subject. If what
is generally understood by education
is all the world needs to save it, then
indeed is our preaching vain, and the
faith of the Christian world is also
vain. The broadest and most compre-
hensive definition of education may
involve the training of the whole man
mind, soul, and body. But it is certain
the world has never yet found any
school tina can supply all that is offer
ed in The gospel of Christ, in any such
degree as will have no need for spe
cial work of the gospel minister, and
the Christian church. The fact is that
education. in the sense the world ac-
ceptS the term, has never yet saved
any man from sin. On the contrary,
educated d~epravity has proved itself
a machine of destruction. 1t is not the
ignorant part of human society that
endangerS the very existence of gov
eminent, and turns loose the whole
fraternity of anarchists and nihiliStS.
These men are generally educated, in
that sense of the term that Simply i'm
plies the development of h mind. It
would be hard to find an instance in
all history where ignorant, and I'M
taught human intellect, ever brought
anarchy. and ruin to h state. Ii has
been used by INSCRIPTIONS dema-
gogueS for the accomplishment OF this
purposes; but these evils do not origi-
nate in ignorance. Ignorance is only
dangerous to the state, as it is liable
to become the tool of these designing
traits to the human race.
1t is we'll for us to bear in mind the
true value of that mental development
which is impaired by the schools, and
involves all that we mean by the term
education, as it is generally used. We
believe any education that neSlects
the moral and spiritual natures is de-
f~ective; and there is no other "a to
tearh the conscience, and bind it to do
right but the gospel way. Unfortu-
nately for this country, many OF those
who are loud and persistent in their
advocacy Of education, do not admit
the necessity of faith in God, and a
knowledge of His revealed will, in Their
systems of education; and yet they
claim that this defective training OF
the human intellect, in which the con-
science, and whole spiritual, and moral
nature is entirely neglected IS an all
sufficient panacea for the correction of
all the Negotiations of human life.
Religion is not education. At least
the Christian religion is not. Educa-
ton is the development-the drawing
out, Of the powers that lie dormant in
the human mind. The Christian re-
ligion begins with a regeneration of
mans fallen nature. 1t is a new birth.
This new birth is obtained in the same
way. by the learned and the unlearn-
ed. Repentance toward God. and faith
toward the Lord Jesus Christ. is the
way into this kingdom. OF course the
spiritual man enters the school of
Christ after he is born into this kng-
dom, and there is a spiritual educa-
ton, OIL drawing out, n development
of the spiritual life. But what I con
tend for is: There is no system Of ed
ucation that can lift fallen man up
into this spiritual kingdom. Natural
lv. man has a carnal mind, and edu-
cation does not change it into a spirit
ual mind. The carnal mind, which is
unity against God, in a state Of ignor-
nee. does not lose one iota OF Its UNI
ty by being trained in the knowledge
Of letters, science, or philosophy. With
you, Mr.. Editor, I believe in educa-
ton: and think it is a good thing:
u it does not hurt education to tell
the truth about it. On h contrary.
false ideas of education are harmful.
and I am glad you have come ont
bodily in defense Of the truth on this
important subject
I am with you in another matter: ]
dc not believe hat the state ought
to a any law compelling parents to
send their children to school. Our
government was not designed to be a
paternity, n in a free government
like ours. there must be freedom OF
choice, and moral %suasion, instead OF
c~oersion. to bring about h best edu-
%cational results.
| L. L. NASH,
Washington, N. c., February 18th.
You have read of the cures by Hood.