Year: 1859

We commend the following article.
which we cordially endorse, copied from
the San Francisco Bulletin, to the atten-
tion of all friends of republican govern
mcnt:


Religion, Education and Politics.
! At time like thu present, when we are
just out of an exciting political campaign,
the rejecting mind may we'll ponder the
influences upon which we must rely for
the perpetuation of our free institutions,
and the intelligent and safe exercise of the
elective franchise by future generations.
/ The proper education of our youth can
alone give them, when grown up, that Just
appreciation of civil and religious liberty
without which they are far better under the
control of some despot, than the dcposita-
ries of power which they would know not
{ how to exert for good. Tho public school
! is natural und necessary attendant of
free institutions; for, without the cduca-
tion of the masses, they do not appreciate
the value Of the ballot box and are careless
of its purity. Indeed, without the intelli-
gence which education brings, men are lit
tie fitted to exercise the right Of self-gov-
ernment. The study of American histo-
ry, too, imparts to our youth lessons of
patriotism and virtue, illustrated in the
! lives of the founders of the Republic, in
the highest degree important to those who
In future years must take active part in
maintaining the institutions and carrying
on the Government which our forefathers
established.


There is another educational influence
also which should not be overlooked We
refer to the Sabbath School, where our
children are taught the responsibility they
owe to their Creator for a right use of tho
privileges they inherit, and the truth is i'm
pressed upon their minds that only from
high moral standpoint can men hope to
obtain strong influence for good over their
fellows. Here, too, they become impress
ed with their obligations to fulfill all tho
duties of good citizens in a conscientious
manner, aud to see that only honest and
upright men are permitted to control the
reins of Government and WELD the power
of the State 1t is subject for congratu-
lation that the Sunday Schools of our city
are generally in flourishing condition,
and that over two thousand children are
in regular attendance upon them. Who
can estimate the value of the influences thus
brought to bear upon tender minds? Es-
pecially when it is remembered that large
numbers of the pupils--those. for instance.
in the Mission schools--are gathered from
the streets, and would otherwise receive
no moral training whatever, but grow up
in ignorance and vice?


We say, then, encourage the Sabbath
School. and uphold the hands Of the phil
lanthropic teachers who, week after week.
sacrifice their own time and comfort. that
they may contribute towards the relig: Gus
training of the young, sowing good seed
which shall ripen in due season and prove
of immense service to the State. By refer
ence to oar advertising columns, it will bo
seen that the regular monthly meeting of
the Sunday School Union will be held to-
night. These meetings are always inter-
. esting and instructive. Parents and all
others who appreciate the value Of the
Sunday School should attend them. and
thus not only spend an hour proftably to
themselves, but con.ribute the encourage
ment of their presence.