Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

One has already fallen; and while you bedew his memory with tears of affectionate veneration, O be intreated, to supply his place, not with one only, but with many laborers, equally faithful, equally devoted. L. G.

RELIANCE ON HUMAN OPINION.

For the Panoplist.

CONFIDENCE is well understood to be one of the essential constituents of happiness. The strongest feel sometimes a need of support. The fluctuations of human affairs, and the insecurity of all that partakes of mortality, both show how emphatically dependent is man, and urge him to seek a shelter from the storms which surround him. While in his best circumstances he is a feeble being; if left unaided, a large part of existence is pre-eminently wretched. Thus situated, the aid of others becomes indispensable in those operations, which are beyond the strength of a single arm. Were such co-operation sought and acquired with equal facility; and further, when once gained, could it be permanently secured, many obstacles now deemed insurmountable would vanish, and the head to contrive and the hand to execute would oftener be found united.

The trust reposed in others is destroyed by many occurrences. Among the most prominent means, which have this effect, the following deserve a place.

1. Much intercourse with men in the various classes of society. I would not wish to be numbered among the intimate friends of the man, who has never been deceived. In the commerce of life, there are so many occasions, in which one would not choose to guard against the slanders of an enemy; so many moments in which he would allow the spontaneous feelings of the heart a somewhat unrestrained exercise, that if he be necessitated to exert constantly the vigilance of a centinel, in every thought he utters, the charm of conversation is lost. A firm reliance on the integrity of those around us adds an ineffable charm to their company. Without this I feel quite a stranger in any place, and in some sense a prisoner; for whenever inclined to utter a sentiment, however harmless, it occurs to me at once, that I am within the watch of a spy, who will report my words to a disadvantage, give them an unfair coloring to others, or, by a forced interpretation, distort them into whatever shape he pleases to accomplish his malicious purposes. A wide range in the region of politics, or large share in public employments, almost necessarily destroys confidence in the fidelity of men, by showing how very few are worthy of it.

2. Our belief in the integrity of mankind is enfeebled by notorious examples of violation of trust. The caution learned from such instances will not differ essentially, whether ourselves or others have been the sufferers; but the degree may depend much on the personal share we have sustained in the suffering. A quick penetration into the motives of human conduct, and a good degree of sagacity in detecting the designs of men, are very necessary attainments in a selfish world; but painful indeed is the course of discipline by which these

are to be acquired. I think no example can be produced of eminent sagacity, in one whose life has been passed in seclusion from the spe cies. Notwithstanding the extravagant price set on these qualities, and the high encomiums lavished on what is generally termed, a knowledge of the world, the life, which is principally spent in retirement, is far more favorable to mental tranquillity, than any other, from the fewer number of examples of depravity which it is obliged to witness.

3. Erroneous opinions of eminent men diminish our reliance on the judgment of men in general. This is evident from the fact, that a mistake in our own judgment destroys the firm persuasion we may once have had, in our ability to prosecute any enterprise. If this effect be nearly universal, in regard to a man's own errors, it cannot be less frequent from those of others. When a bright example of strong intellect has been selected, and its decisions held with reverence, the discovery of palpable mistakes committed by such a mind leaves a sad impression on the memory, and diminishes our hopes of support, notonly from the individual; but, by lessening the number of those, whom we have hitherto accounted models of intellectual worth, and sound judgment, it shows on what frail supports we are resting. As a great part of the commerce of life is carried on by our reliance on human testimony, the loss of confidence in such testimony may be as deeply felt, if the source be defective in means of knowledge, as if guilty of intentional deceit.

4. The fluctuations of opinion in the same person operate powerfully to weaken our confidence. Many subjects are so closely interwoven with our happiness, that a deliberate decision respecting them seems the indispensable duty of all. The discovery of an alteration of sentiments, which on such points we once thought immovably fixed, either shakes our own faith in them, or undermines our respect for an understanding so ready to assume any shape which popularity may dictate. When a man's belief on any given subject is but the mere caprice of the moment, you may as well talk of permanent impressions on water, as dignify such silly vagaries of a fickle brain with the name of an opinion.

It will be observed, that I here say nothing of many particular moral evils which are destructive of every degree of trust in the declarations of another. To specify such instances would occupy a larger space, than I have assigned to this paper. Should opportunity be allowed, the subject may perhaps be resumed hereafter. 2. Y.

REFLECTIONS ON UNIVERSALISM.

For the Panoplist..

INDULGING a solitary ramble on a pleasant evening in September, my walk led me by a temple professedly dedicated to the worship of Jehovah; but where the syren voice of Universalism is heard leading its deluded votaries into the paths of destruction:- was struck with the solemn and melancholy gloom which surrounded the place. A

thick grove of poplars cast their dark shade over the avenue which leads to the house; but oh, how faint an image was this of the spiritual darkness that reigned within! We pity the situation of the heathen world; Christians are awaking to a sense of their deplorable state, and are sending to them the light of the everlasting Gospel to dispel the thick darkness of Paganism; but how much more deplorable the situation, how much thicker the darkness, which surrounds a people in a Christian land, who have embraced the delusive errors of false doctrine! the true light is shining around them, but their eyes they have closed," and are apparently "given up to strong delusion that they should believe a lie." What language can describe the distressing condition of children, who are educated in the belief of this destructive heresy. From infancy, they hear no other sound; they imbibe it from the lips of their parents and friends; they receive it from him, whom they are taught to revere as the minister of God. The fatal delusion "grows with their growth, and strengthens with their strength;" and should the warning voice of truth call to them at a riper age, to "turn from the error of their ways," early prejudice, aided by native depravity, steels them effectually against it. I know they are not beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit, not proof against His all powerful influences; but God usually works by means; and ought not every means to be used for the recovery of those, who are thus "led captive by satan at his will?" Are Christians sufficiently aware of the extent of the evil under consideration? those of them especially who are removed from the neighborhood of this destructive error. Do they pray as fervently, and labor as earnestly, as they ought for the salvation of those, who are apparently perishing "without hope," or what is worse, with a false one, in the midst of a Christian land?

While I write, the melancholy notes of that bell, which weekly sounds the knell of souls, strikes upon my ear. In this small village, probably hundreds will this evening listen to the voice of the destroyer. How extensive is the dominion of the prince of darkness! Surely it is time for Christians, every where to awake, and "stand forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty;" to devote every faculty they possess to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and for the demolishing of the "strong holds of satan." Especially, is it a time for them to "pray without ceasing," for the influences of that Spirit, which will eventually dispel every error and delusion from the world we inhabit. Happy period, when all shall know the Lord; when "satan shall be bound for a thousand years," and temples every where be erected to the worship of the "one living and true God." When the false worship of Christian lands, as well as the idols of the heathen, shall be banished from the whole earth.

L.

ON PREPARING PIOUS YOUNG WOMEN FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND GOVERNMent of sCHOOLS.

THE friend of humanity may exult at the cheering prospects, presented by the efforts of the benevolent and pious at the present day. He

VOL. XV.

9

will roam, in imagination, through our land, and behold, with pure and holy joy, the several institutions which are formed to qualify young men to extend more widely, and diffuse more thoroughly, the benign light of the glorious Gospel. But will he not look also for some seminaries to instruct those, who are the first guides of our earliest childhood? While he contemplates thousands, and tens of thousands, of little beings sporting in our streets, and when he traces the course they will take, through the undisturbed lapse of endless ages; and when he thinks too that their eternal destiny may soon be fixed; will he not look with eagerness to those, who are to form their characters; and will he not expect to see the noblest institutions established for their instruction? But he would look, and look; and his restless eye would pervade the whole extent of our land; and he would still look almost in vain. We practically say to our unfortunate children, "We care not for you. it is of no consequence now what becomes of you. We shall place you under the care of any body, that is willing to take the trouble of overseeing you. Should you happen to survive, and reach a more advanced age, then you will deserve some attention."

But shall we thus throw them into the midst of danger, unprotected by one kind friend? Have they not immortal souls? Souls, which the enemy of mankind is laboring assiduously to corrupt and destroy? And may not a few years place them beyond our instructions and prayers, in the dread abodes of darkness? Or may we not find them in the confirmed habits of sin? Why then should they not have instructors, who can impart to their infant minds some plain, but important information about the Babe of Bethlehem; who have themselves adored the name of Jesus, and who can, therefore, teach their little pupils to lisp his praises? Why should not such instructors be anxiously sought by those who believe in the doctrines of the Gospel; and who know the worth of the soul, and its awful danger? Why should not efforts be made to qualify their instructors for their important business? 1 know of no institution like that which I now recommend, but that of Mr. Nurse of Ellsworth, in the District of Maine.* There, I believe, young women are instructed to govern schools, and prepared to educate children. A very little assistance would enable many young ladies of good natural endowments, of sincere and ardent piety, to qualify themselves more thoroughly for the office of teachers. And numbers of such would eagerly embrace the opportunity of preparing to instruct a school; when, without aid, they will be incapable of obtaining a sufficient education. They might go where men would

The institution of Mr. Nurse, is not the only one in our country, which is principally devoted to this object. There are several excellent Academies for females in Connecticat; one at Catskill, N. Y. and a Seminary in Ogdenburg, N. Y. the latter of which is conducted much on the principle recommended by the writer. Even in the district of Maine, the Rev. John Sawyer has labored assiduously two or three years at the object. He has furnished teachers for many schools, which otherwise would have been destitute. Further, we see no objection to the modes of instruction in many of our Academies in New-England; nor does it readily appear, that females of hopeful piety and talents may not be prepared as well at these institutions, as at any other. Some examples have fallen within our knowledge, of instruction afforded gratuitously at these seminaries, to individuals of both sexes, in the expectation, that, whenever in their power, they should go and do like wise,

ED.

not be supported. Their influence might be felt in the most secluded parts of our country. And, in some remote spot, which a traveller's eye may never survey, the angels of God may behold a pious female, in her little circle of affectionate pupils, laboriously and anxiously instructing the objects of her care, to fear, and love, and serve their God. They may behold with exulting joy her success, and may carry to heaven the happy intelligence of some infant convert to Christ. And they may trace the progress of that youthful believer; they may behold him resisting every temptation, assiduously studying the word of God, pressing forward in his Christian course, preparing for the sacred office of preaching Christ; and they may hear from his lips. those strains of holy eloquence, which shall melt the hearts of crowds, and persuade them to take the cross. Shall we deny angels the happiness of beholding such scenes? No Christian can be so cruel. And can any barbarian be so inhuman?

But how can female teachers be qualified? In the first place, ministers may do much in the places where they are settled. Let them spend a little time every week with a class of female learners, whom they may collect from their churches, and they may soon form useful school mistresses. And why should not those pious females enter upon the delightful work of instructing the young, whose circumstances do not make it necessary for their support? Are they willing to spend many months and years in useless, destructive, idleness? Are they not anxious to do something for Christ? Have they no sympathies for the perishing souls of fellow men? In the second place, might not some person be employed by a missionary society, or a society formed for the very purpose, to devote himself, in a proper place, to the preparation of young women for keeping school?-And thirdly, might not proper missionaries, who are stationed for some time in one place, be directed to seek suitable persons, and to encourage them and assist them to prepare for the instruction of a school?

One objection, which may be made to this design, may be consid ered. The young women, who were qualified after some expense, might be removed to the care of a family, and all the expense and trou ble of their education would be lost. But this is far from being true. Calamities may place them again alone in the world, dependant on their own resources, and they may then derive a needful assistance from the income of a school. Besides their acquirements will enable them to govern a family with more discretion; and their children through their attention may prove useful members of society, and ornaments of religion. It is paganism to keep the female sex in ignorance. Christianity has restored to women many of their rights, and has raised them from a wretched state of degradation, and abject servitude. The light of the Gospel irradiates their hearts as well as the hearts of men. Then let the light of science illuminate their minds. nor let women be compelled to think that their sphere is that of the

*This measure would certainly deserve attention, where a clergyman can be found whose leisure would admit it. But we think the writer must be unacquainted with the emplayments of a man, who is obliged to write' sermons every week, attend to the various concerns of a parish, and generally, to those of a family. Unless such an one possess extraordinary powers both of mind and body, and be far less interrupted by company, than ministers. usually are, he could find little time to devote to a school.

[ocr errors]
« AnteriorContinuar »