Rising Sun Times, Volume 3, Number 150, Rising Sun, Ohio County, 24 September 1836 — Page 2

i .'

nr:

ur.RN I'O. I Ti l :n."Y institute. ! stances will exist of mistaken judgment, and of misdirectce

I

At

ra, c:i t;if ! n

Gf.n'tt rMEN Till"

": h nf SortoiiJior. V. K thv c.x

m hf.i) i v itnr rT or the oriF.iv.j

ich h.is been ns-igncu me

WiT.i.i.u; T'viMNf;.

:cl w

for tlis coercion.

a

school hook.

In co inn-each a si inlcr-

Moral Education, based on the study of i!ic Bi

plying with the request of your committee, I am fully aw are that l a ..-.Y.lo. i Jnr,m:if.lv rnnneefod with the welfare of sotief v. and the hi'.;

--"'J-V' . . . , . . .,,; C.vor

Itmi'ml no Uouoii unnecessary to name an ml, '

1 vvi(i) common instruction in oar schools; out iic iuci u..t

.,i ;.,-,,.. !j nnnoc.s! .- union. :m! lli.ii manv persons oejeci altogc-

thcr to the practice of educating children in the belief "of tnc s-cuplurcs, and

that within a few years, lh creates a necessity for an the Bible from genera! m;

qu- ft ion j devi

still remains whether these cases should be considered as settling the point at ; think 1

issue

csts ot man.

ot uniting scriptural

aiar.;fp;llv not. The. nrarfico of cmnlovin2 the bible in the education

of youth, before it is condemned, should be shown to be decidedly evil, otherwise it i mndemncd without a fair trial. Exceptions do wX destroy general

mine. l.Vorv measure intended for the benefit of men, may have its attendant j a pointer can wish. The hand of na

evils, and liabilities to abuse: yet such evils or liabilities do not require that ail j lure never farmed a lovelier country.

measures calculated to benefit mankind, should be neglected. i' he trur

if the devil is i,l afraid of me. I

e'll find his match in Texas. I

say nothing in disparagement of the country. The soil, climate and water,

with the facilities of conveyance, arc ail

ques

tion then is, whether the general good of society would not be greatly promoted by the use of the Bible in schools, for the purposes of moral education. This

e : w nave rapmiy g; nmediate. and as we he.

round in

10.

an.! ti

ie r i s 1 1

1'VhOl :

i'l'

ie. t ouiiiiy,

fibrt, to rescue I ho cviis of in

fidel it V. . Most rceidc.in this, and other Christian countries, behove, that the Budo is a

revelation from Cod : and even most violent a.Jvciv.incs.MJM

l am, ccc. July 20, I G:3G.

II. Faircihlj.

L-.U

V e ,l - 1

eC!l C'Jil: ..,.,..,1

trained ecepts.

I (01

:0t;

itesbury,

,lv ot tiie moral

.uc

- vsie

to yield a reluctant testimony, to the inu-iva.b. Hohbos. Tidund. Collins. Tindal, Mor:ran. Chn

Uedingb'roko, and other Englbh IKisls, have all ?pt ken 1 tendency of the Gospel. Lotd BolinghroUo sa s, thai which Christ published, ar.d hi- Evangelists recorded. is

the nurroscs of relieion, natural and revealed :uul " that the Gospel is in

cases one continued lessen of the strictest morality, of justice, of benevolence, and universal charity' Vet this volume, confessedly the best of books, and believed by most lobe God's written revelation, given for man's instruction in all sacred truth; and kivnm by all who have been at the pains to study the mora! history of man, to be the light of the world, and the firm foundation upon which the edifice of social order, public happiness and political prosperity, is erected ; even the Bible, which confers the richest blessings upon every community which it visits7, is an object of jealousy to multitudes, and is generally excluded from the list of books proper to be used by teachers in he instruction id ihe young.

An inquiring person will be anxious to learn t!:e ground e! objection to nic

in i religion ' !;,', ?; to all

all

tiueslion mast appear exceedingly important to every person wno is aequanit-

ed,inany measure, with the state of common education in the? part of the country, and with the actual influences that are forming the railiest and moit abiding habits and impressions of our youth. When will parent:-! awake to the dangers to which their children are exposed by the example of immoral teach-

rrc , :inv I our ( i l s art: u ill m uu eim uiieu iue uun..iui:ii .

young. It may be well to state a few facts on this subject: a very (ice. A gentleman of this State, informed me that within a circle from residence, there were alone time nine intenincrate Unehc

in the schools. Another gentleman well acquainted with the slate of education in the West, savs that of fifteen male teachers employed in thh Slate, being

all whose names or characters were known to him, about one-half were intemperate; and that judging from the facts that had fallen tinder his observation, there must be a 1000 intemperate teachers in the State of Indiana. Slalcments similar to these arc contained in a report published by the School S;ciely of

Now with such facts before you, as specimens, ((or they

Ji

:w will suff CO miles ? err: 'loved

olstox. The Washingon. sec n a letter from (Jen.

thi:

State, in 1833.

use of the Bible as a school book. Whether it has

f.mn.d, by experience,

of common school inttructien; whether this use

of it is an iniurv, rather than a hem f:f, to the children: whether it lessens their

to be ill-adanted to the purpose:

regard for its sacred authority; whether it

:cupies

time and place,

which

might be move advantageously tilled, bv other books. These surely are im

portant questions, and will receive due attention in the course of these remarks.

to be uccu'ciilv in P'dr.t were referred aching their study

it will besuHicient to observe, in this place, that the use of the Bible in schools, is not often if ever objected loon account of any actual difficulties or evils, known to result from it, and complained of by teachers, who, certainly, arc the most competent to decide upon the merits of school hooks. On the contrary, the testimony of experience, from the higher invitations of our land, through.

all the gradations to the common district school., is believefavor of the use of the Bible. Indeed if the decision of this to the collected wisdom of these who fin.n having made U

for years, have attained to a high professional standing, and who know best, by experience, how schools may be conducted so as to secure the greatest improvement of the scholar. I feel authorized to say that they would de cide without hesitation, that the Bible occupies a place ia a perfect system of education, which no other book can till, and for the absence of which nothing can fully compensate. If this opinion be not rashly advanced, and I am confident it is not, it follows that (he objection to the use of the Bible in the education of ihihhen, originated with lite community ; the great mass of whom never interested themselves in the subject of education, and know nothing about it. Some doubtless honestly suppose that the Bible is not suitable for a school book. ( khcrs think that the

common use of it m schools, is irreverent, and tends to destroy the respect of

uic

Mi-! ice

What father

l i v. ( 1 1 : ,

"V

young for its sacredncss. Others, it is to be feared, object by reason of a

deep scaled hostility to revealed religion. But probably iu'a majority of case?, the objection results from the fear that the Bible will be used to promote the objects of religious sects; a use of it which I am sure every j od man must condemn. In a community divided, as ours is, into numerous religious denominations, .all equally zealous for their own tenets, and jealous of each other, it is no w onder,

that some practical difficulties have arisen, with regard to the use of the Bible, in schools, composed of children, whose parents belong to these several denominations. And I would gladly believe thai this is the only source of the objections which have been referred to. For then, it would remain only to convince the public that their apprehensions on this subject arc without foundation, because, no properly qualified and well selected teacher would knowingly avail himself of the influence of his station, to control the doctrinal views of his pupils, against the will of their parents. He would rather exercise great care to avoid points of conscientious difference among Christians. All intelligent persons, and such only are fit to be teachers, would understand that an important distinction exists between the rights and duties of a teacher, as such, and " those which belong to him, as a man. In the former capacity lie may not do that, which, iu the latter, he has a perfect right to do. Like other men, he has undoubted liberty to discuss, either in conversation or otherw ise, any disputed point of religious faith or practice. Bu!, to do this, in his capacity as a teacher in a promiscuous school, and without sufficient reason for supposing it agreeable to the will of the parents, to whom it properly belongs to direct the religious education of their children, responsible to God for their choice, w ould be a high handed abuse of the confidence they have reposed in him. A teacher who should do this, would deserve to be severely censured. There arc men in the community who proclaim war against the Bible, and against all religion. They object, especially, to the practice of endeavoring to implant the doctrines of the Bible in the minds of children. Children, they say, are net capable of judging for themselves. Their minds should not be preoccupied by any religious bias. They should be left free to exercise an unprejudiced judgment, when (heir understandings become mature, and to receive or to reject Christianity upon an examination of the evidence. The mass

of the people, however, value the influence of the Bible; but they arc fearful of

the consequences of introducing it into schools, because they do not see how a teacher can communicate religious instruction without using it in subserviency to the interests of the sect to which he may chance to belong. Shiny doubtless would cease to object, were it better understood, that the moral precepts of the Gospel arc not identified with any one sect exclusively, but are common to all Christian sects; and tic . !1 which duty requires of a teacher is that he should inculcate those great and f iu l imental principles or truths of the Gospel, iu which Christians agree, Staving out of view those non-essential points upon which (hey are divided. Could they feel assured that the teacher would not pass these limits, their apprehensions would be considerably relieved. INow, it seems to me, licit (bi;; object can be easily secured. First, exercise care in the selection of teachers; seek (he be:t; the most intelligent; persons whom you can trust. But if you cannot repose entire confulencein the discretion of your teachers be at the paias to explain to them jour views on this subject; and you may be assured (bat they will use no mi! aence with their pupils, of which you can reasonably complain. Suppose when a teacher is en.nloycd the committee or trustees, as the rase may be, if in ticjr v;u. it luj necessary, should address him in the following language, either verbally or in writing We, Sir, in behalf of the district, Im o invited you to become the tear her of the school in this neighborhood. Into your i heiuus smtimen do not deem it proper fo inquire; but we take !- hberly (o slate, and we lan n t dou!:t that you will take it into due consideration, that (lie parents of Ihc chiklren in this districl, belong o several religious denominations, and esteem it their duly to educate their children in the sentiments which they have respectively embraced. In committing their children to yo-i for instruction, it is not their w ish to restrict you, m the uc of that religious influence, which your judgment may pronounce necessary for the good of your pupils; hut they dosue and request that in all your instructions while in school, you will avoid those tonics which arei subjects of conscientious difference among real Christians. INow few teachers lit to be cnfru.ted with the care of a school, wou!d object to t.tcse suggestions, or would disregard (hem in their practice. JJut suppose it be granted, as undoubtedly it should be, that individual in-

might be greatly extended.) you may judge for yourselves, w hether the moral interests of the young are safe. And 1 w ould seriously ask those persons who

express such apprehensions of the dangers of sectarianism, and who appear to sec, iu all religious influence, some lurking enemy, the serpent that first charms

and then devours its victim, w hether the morals ot our youth aie not put more imminently at hazard by the dissolute habits of many of their teachers, than by the worst influences of sectarianism, to w hich they may, or can be exposed. From the same sources which have already been referred to, I have aho learned that many teachers arc profane as well as intemperate; and thai they use

profane language in the presence of their schools. Now whether such teachers are often retained or not, I am not informed; but if in the selection of your teachers the choice is to be made between the virtuous and the vicious; between the religious and the irreligious; between him that feaielh Coil, and him that fearcth Him not, I see no room for hesitation. No man is tit to be entrusted with the care of youth, w hose character is immoral, and whose con

duct shows that the fearof God is in no degree before his eyes.

that deserves the name; what tattler, whom eou lias nsu

him the parent of a new immortal spirit, and to whom !c has coninlcd Inc.

highly responsible trust of training that spirit for usefulness, in the present wot Id, and for happiness in the world to come; wlud father would not shudder at the thought of entrusting his children (o one w hose iniluence must tend to ellacc every good impression from their minds, and to unlit them for the duties which they owe to their fellow beings and to God. For my own pail, I envy not the future reflections of the man who is not careful to select for his children instructors who will inculcate upon them the moral duties which the scriptures enjoin. Mistaken, or at least imperfect notions arc prevalent in the world, with re-

garu to me real onjects ol education, and consequently mo duties, ot teachers. The grand end or object of education, is, the moral improvement, and eternal welfare of the soul. True, the chief business of the school teacher h to teach his pupils the elementary branches of education. This is the specific object for w hich he is employed, and w hich he is bound to pursue according to those methods which will secure their greatest improvement. But for what end arc children educated ? Why, surely, say most persons, to fit them for business. What, say they, could a man do, in the most common tiansnclions of '.ife, without some knowledge of lellci s, and some practice in the iuc of figures' Our children would be paupers, and starving vagabonds, without these ac-juircments. True, and thus far, well: would that every parent fell the necessity of giving his children a good common education, for the same reason, if not for a higher. But may we not go a step farther, and ask, what is a

man profited if he shall gam the w hole world,

Gr.

f a ... i.

'.e;e u,;s seen a leuei Horn

1 uiislon, which says that Houstonwishes admission for Texas into the

Union, and that the story of his difficulty w ith the Texian Cabinet originated in dispute as to the disposal of Santa. Anna. The General wished him retained us a 'prisoner. The Cabinet wbhed to release him. Gen. Houston's wound is very bad. The bail cut oil' the bone of the ankle above the joint. Twenty-two

pieces of bone have come out, and some seven or eight arc vet to come. His general hcallh is improving. It was wretched when he commenced the campaign when he reached New Orleans he was at the point of death. The moment he is able, he says, he will repair to the army, in obedience to the call which has been made upon him. E'IKJItATJON TO THE WEST. It gives us pleasure to note the rising importance of the western part of the Union. Indiana, "Michigan, the northern portion of Illinois, and even Wisconsin Territory, are becoming the recipients of a ilood of emigration, full, broad, and rapid sweeping from the shores of the Atlantic to the borders

ol the i.lississippi. There is, probably, no district of country iu the "great west,'' that oilers to the enterprising farmer, prospects more favorable than those presented ia the northern part of Indiana. Large tracts of beautiful and fertile hind, lying between the Wabash river and Like Michigan, have recently been acquired by purchase from the Pottawattamie Indians. These lands have not yet been surveyed; but when surveyed and oU'eicd for sale, it is hoped that they may fallinto the hands of actual scttlei s, and not become, in the bands of others fluctuating and unproductive bubbles of speculation. From Chicago in Illinois to Milwauke in Wisconsin, (he land lying between Fox river and Lake Michigan is dry and candy well timbered upon the borders of the lake; and timber in groves upon the prairies lying contiguous to Fox river. The country be

tween Mihvaukie and Green Bay

ad lose his own sou!? What is I presents a black clavcv soil, with a

learning without virtue? What are the accomplishments of the best and mod ! growth of beech, maple, walnut, etc.

Two thirds of the state of Illinois is prairie. Nearly all the best lands have been purchased or taken by '0(110." On Illinois river and on Rock liter the land is fertile, well limbered, and abundantly watered by good springs. The l'ecalolla, a branch of Bock river, is, it is said, navigable into the mining district norl-cast of Galena. The canal from Chicago to the head of steamboat navigation on the Illinois river w ill pass through a fertile district of country, and connect the waters of Lake Michigan w ith those of the Mississippi; thus opening a second western waiter communication between the cities of New York and New Orleans. This work, to the people of the west, is second in importance to the Wabash and Erie ('anal. It has been predicted that in ten years the population of the western states will amount to twelve millions. The climate, the fertility of the soil, the number and importance of public improvements, and the great extent of territory7 included in this division of the confederacy, go far to sustain the opinion that this prediction will be verified. It appears that the western states contain 275,000 square miles, or one hundred and seventy-six millions of acres! The kingdoms of Spain and France with territory less in extent, and not more fertile, sustain a population of about hf(y millions. Loamorl Telegraph.

finished education? What all the qualifications for the most extensive and lu crative employments, or the most respectable professions, without moral princi

piei i ue answer to all these questions, is, that Ihc true object ot education is to make men better, and to tit them for all the circumstances of their existence, both present and future. What is it to educate a mind ? Is it not to prepare that mind for all the business of its existence, and for all the scenes through which it must pass; for life, for death, and for eternity. That education which a wise parent will desire for his child, is, one that w ill make him a perfect man; one that will perfect all the faculties of his mind, intellectual, social and moral, and fit him for the high purposes for which his Creator evidenily designed him, in conferring upon him a nature which is the image of Lis own; in its capacities r.nd destinies equal to, and in its present condition', but a little below7 the nature of angels. Education, toJe pcrfect,should aim to secure the following important objects: 1. It should fit young persons for the active business of life; that is. it should he practical. It would not be proper here to go at length into the discussion of this point, to do justice to which would require an extended lecture; and therefore I will only remark, that works on Agriculture, Ho: ti. ulture, Mechanics, Book Keeping, and even Political Economy, should be prepared for the use of schools, and thcsludy of them be considered an essential part of the system of common school education.

2. Education should (each the young their relations and duties to society; that is, it should be social, and in one sense political. The mooted points of

parly politics, as well as those of doctrinal religion, should be carefully avoided. But there arc certain acknowledged duties, in respect to w hich every leather should consider himself bound to instruct his pupils. 1. Their duties to parents, guardians and instructors. 2. Their duties to each other. 3. The duties they will owe to society in future years. 4. Their obligations to government, especially the duty of submission to its law s. TO BE COXCI.UUKl) Kl-AT WEEK.

TEXAS. Copy of a letter from a Captain in the Texian army to a gentleman in Louisville, dated at Head Quarters, Camp Collelto, Texas, published in the Louisville Advertiser. )air Friend The opportunities of communication arc not quite so good as those at home. Y'ou bound me in a promise to write to you as often as an opportunity should occur. 1 have kept my word; but ha.e not, in return, received from you the shadow of an answ'er. I am at the present writing in excellent spirits, and (ho enjoyment of good health. Our cause could not be in a more prosperous condition. The Mexicans' main army still remains beyond the. Kio Grande, threatening u-7 with the shadow of war, which w ill never appear in substance. Their fancies have been sufficiently tickled with American bravery to keep (hem strong advocates for peace. The Indian tribes have kept their proper distance, with" (he exception of the munches, the most numerous now in the country, w hose object is to lake advantage of the present stale of the country, merely" for plunder. A rumor isalloal. and indeed I think it on very good grounds, that a treaty is about (o be entered "ito,or rather already consummated, by which Hrrea,lhe Mexican commander, has secured the aid of 8000 Indian warriors. The premise made to them is a full, free, and undisturbed possession of the entire Texian territory. By t'ne latest accounts from Mexico, it appears Santa Anna's iniluence is nol altogether gone. It seems they are debating on the treaty made by him with Ihc government of Texas. I shall start for Natchez on (he 20th of next month. We can obtain no kind of clothing. Money is not to be thought of, because there ia nothing to purchase. Beef plenty, and of the best; which we can dress in various ways, (oour own fancy roast, boil, bake, fry, stew, broil, jerk, or eat raw, just as we please. This is a land of liberty. No sugar, no codec, no flour, no bread, no liquor!!! I am, peihap:1, the raggedest, sauciest, dii tiest, brownest looking Captain in the whole Texian army.. I'm not afraid of the

Micii::an. The Detroit Free Press estimates that (he Convention which is sboi lly to assemble for the purpose of faking info consideration the act of Congress, presenting the terms of the admission of Michigan into the Union, will contain thirty-three members in favor of accepting those terms, and seventeen opposed to acceding to ihem.

Coi.p. Between the 10th and 20ih ulf. the sum of six hundred and fortyeight thousand two hundred and four dollars in gold was imported from Europe, and e ntered at (he Custom Houso in the city of New York.

The slave trade is now iu full operation on the coast of Aliica: 70 Spanish vessels are engaged in it.

y