Newspaper Page Text
1833
resentative of the church—and- that which
he pledges and promises is the pledge and
promise of every individual member—for
duties to be performed, by a mass of men
are to be regarded as belonging to a mass
made up of individuals. Each individual
must do his own dtjty, or it will be 101 l un
touched by the whole. It is not the church,
as its members,
visits them7rT|^row, ’expostulates with
them in sin, simulates them to effort and
braces them to holiness—but, “if one mem
ber suffers, all the members suffer with it;
or if one member rejoice all the members
rejoice with it,” in the church, as in the
human frame. It is easy, then, to be per
ceived, that when the members of a church,
be they filly, or two hundred, witness the
ceremony, each one of them, in fact, enters
into an engagement, in the presence of.thc
assembled congregation, (and who knows
of how vast an invisible multitude Itesides
of those who take an interest in the affairs of
earth ?)' —to watch over, to exort, to stimu
late, to assist, to promote the religious
growth of the individual thus admitted to
their fellowship. Whether they feel the
force of their vows or not, they thus pub
licly make them. Whether they propose
any such obligation or not, they assume it.
Whether they perceive their responsibility
Ot not, still they lie under it. Asa citi
zenfeomes under all of the obligations be
fonging to citizenship by the fact of his be
ing a citizen, so by being a church mem
bier does every member really bring him
self under a responsibility to perform all
the resulting duties, whether he avow his
distinct determination to do so, at frequent
intervals or not. As long as any one re
mains in the church, he is thus bound. No
circumstances nor opinions can loose him.
And if he prove recreant to his vows; he
sins against his own reputation, the mem
bers admitted successively to communion,
the church at large, the cause of piety, and
Christ, the exalted Head.
The right hand of fellowship as present
ecPto a church at its organization, in the
person of one of its members, is generally
lass thought of, in the light of a pledge
from the association; or, perhaps we might
say, is regarded as a mere unmeaning ce
remony,—a mere act of submission to tire
laws of custom. But the relation here is,
if possible, more sacred than in the former
case, inasmuch as more wide and visible
interests are concerned. If that infant
church is afterwords in trouble, the church
es of the association have bound them selves
to assist it. If its'pecuniary affairs are in
volved, they arc pledged for its aid. Ifils
doctrines beepioe corrupt, they are bound to
seek its reform. If any of its members are
unworthy, they are bound to put forth an
effort that no part of the vine of Christ be
burthened with unfruitful branches. If
they have no minister, ‘the churches of the
association are under obligation to syjnpa,
contribute their own misnisters for a time,
that the feeble band may be encouraged.
And by all Suitable mean's fire fne mem
bers of the whole associated body pledged
tf> aid the infant company, to the full ex
tent of the divine rule—‘as ye would that
others should do to you, do ye even so to
them.’
In view of the above hints, we see how
holy is the relationship that binds Chris
tians together! How strong the union of
the followers of the Lamb! By public and
solemn pledges, they are understood to
live for one another’s good. If they rc
ifcem their pledges, they are truly branch
es united to one vine, members belonging
to one body, planets revolving about one
glorious centre, bound each to each, and
all to the glorious sun, by an attraction,
that shall outlast even the grand principles
that cement universal nature. Truly
sweet must it be to belong to-such a compa
ny! There, we should always find, not
one, but many, who would case for us in
our depression, breathe sigh for sigh, anil
weep with us tear for tear, in all our sor
rows. And there \vc should find kindred
souls who would tread with us the rough
paths of mortality, and whom we would
hail with joy at the right hand of God.
It is, perhaps, a fair inference from the
state of the church, and ofindividual chur
ches, and Christians, that but few perceive
their obligations or fulfil their duties. In
volved in the hurry and bustle ofthe world,
and busied in its cares and pleasures, the
church and obligations resulting from
church-membership have come, in the
niinds of most men, to appear a subordi
nate concern. Hence we have many fee
ble societies —societies which rarely enjoy
the benefits of the ministry, or arc uniform
ly put off with inferior talents and abilities,
while others in the association are surfeited
with privileges and enjoyments. And it is
because individual church-inembers have
so dim a preception of the responsibilities
connected with the right hand of fellow
fchip, that piety flags and withers, and no
man regards it—the members, one by one,
fall asleep, and no man wakes them—cor
ruption enters and no rhan .repels it—the
hypocrite’s hope is indulged,” and no man
points it out—the spirit of prayer droops,
and no man attempts to quicken it—the
brethren make heartless, unmeaning con
fessions, and no man faithfully tells them
of it —and revivals become . unknown.
Here,. if we are not greatly mistaken, lies
oq.c grand point of error in our churches.
Here is the sou rce of many a wo.
In this field —the obligations centered by
th.e right hand of fellowship—lies a mine
of thought, rich in precious jewels. The
field indeed has been but slightly travelled.
The surface of the ground is scarcely bro
ken, and all the excellence it contains has
been boasted of rather than gathered and
enjoyed. But careful search will lead to
results we have never anticipated. The
train of thought Here introduced, if follow
ed out, may lead to anew order of things
in the whole church militant. The obliga
tions here set forth, if acknoledged and
fulfilled, may cast new beauty yvejs pty
kingdom of Christ on earth. The Irriag
rwatersv 1 hat (WArem” t nt'TTTiv I I.
may be loosed from the obstructions we
have thrown about them. The glory of
‘the body of Christ,’ may shine out lrom
the clouds where it has been hidden, and
-the anticipated millennium, after this tem
porary reign ofdarkness, may burst forth
upon ‘is in all its loveliness.
From the American Baptist Magazine.
Present Stale !’ Religion.
At the present time, there is, for the
most part, an unusual languor resting up
on the churches. Two or three years
since, almost every city and village and
neighborhood was visited by the Holy
Spirit. Religion was the universal theme
ol conversation. Daily additions were
made to the church ; and we loudly hoped
that there would be no reaction. Some
Christians even confidently expected that
the morning-hart dawned, VVKfcm wouhTEie
followed by no night—that the glory long
waited for had come—that the angel with
the millennial trumpet had received his
final and desirable commission. Anew
impulse was given to all our religious ope
rations. The church seemed to arise in
her might, clothed in the splendid array ol
holiness, to go out to victory—or rather,
“leaning on the arm of her Beloved,” she
came up out of the wilderness, laid aside
her plaintive notes, took her tuneful harp
from the willows, and sung in sweet melo
dy the greatness of her Redeemer.
The impulse then given to our benevo
lent, and especially to our missionary so
cieties, has never yet died away. Our
treasuries are supplied. Men—not enough,
indeed —but more than ever before, have
come forward and laid their energies on
the missionary altar. The dark horizon
is constantly kindling up at new points,
with the fires of some fresh light-house.—
ho distance from station to station is rap
idly diminishing, and the banners of the
cross are planted, so that its soldiers can
almost see “eye to eye” throughout the
enemy’s country. So many heralds of
salvation have never, in the history of our
country, gone abroad, in the same space
ol time, as since those days of the outpour
ing ofthe Holy Ghost.
But witli all this, the spirit of revival has
boon growing lower and lower, day by
day. The flickering light gradually and
almost imperceptibly diminished, till we
are now leil in darkness. If is cheering,
indeed, to see the externals of Christianity
thus flourishing. Wo delight in the out
ward beauty, and in the activity and libe
rality ofthe church. But oh! wUjA.bfc
KHiiujiy Hwißiuiil ’jjjWty Ms
Wlmt is thereto be admired in a body ofj
beautiful proportion's and'exquisite propor
tions, after the living spirit has fled ! We
may love it, because it belonged to a belo
ved friend; but then, as to the question of
real intrinsic loveliness, how vain to ask it!
Or, if it be lair for a day, the worm of
corruption will soou commence his gnaw
ings, and the charm will become disgust
ful.
We trust, indeed, though the church be
slumbering, she, is not dead. Though the
light be dimmed, it is not extinguished. —
Though the spirit within has ceased to send
out a glowing warmth, it is still there ; and
wc would gladly arouse it again. We love
thb tokens we see that the Christian world
is beginning to act from a principle of du
ty, and not merely from excitement; so
that, although the joy ol’ revivals is want
ing, yet, with steady march, the hosts of
God will advance to the ruin of satan’s
kingdom, and tire upbuilding of Immanu
el’s. But this is not all we wish, it is our
desire also to see. the blessed influences of
religion, diffused and diffusing themselves
every where. We wish to behold the rich,
and glowing, and breathing marks of true,
spiritual life, maturing and increasing in
Christians; and to find, on every side, a
like spirit, day by day, waking up in others.
We wish to sec in every congregation the
fixed eye—the attentive countenance —tin;
listening ear —the tear of penitence. We
cannot be satisfied, nor feel that God’s will
is done and his name glorified, till wo see
evidenceof a present Spirit hovering.over
crowded assemblies. We shall not fisrl
right until the Saviour comes back to his
weary heritage ; and till the thirsty vine
yard puts forth again with the freshness
and verdure of Spring. .
To produce the present state of religious
depression, attention to the externals ol
religion has, probably, contributed largely.
W e mean, the machinery ol the church, if |
we may so speak, the matter of societies,
agencies, and missions, treasuries, church
building, and associations, have so occupi
ed the Christian world, that the cultivation
of invyard piety lias been too much neg
lected. These things are all necessary ;
but they should not be permitted to over
step their proper limits. As soon as we
sutler them to encroach on the cultivation
of our own hearts, they are out of place.
While we have been conducting that which
belongs to the external of revivals, the spl
it of revivals has “one from us.
Religious controversies, or ralher, con
troversies on the- subject of religion, have
quenched the flame of revivals. Nothing
is more I rue than the couplet of Dr. Walts—
“ The Spirit, like a peaceful dove,
Flies from the realms of noise and strife.”
It was when the pcntecost seasons of 1831
were in the glow of their excellence, and
the servants of God were girded up to an
amount of effort and of success truly as
tonishing, that “Satan came among thepi.”
Slight improprieties began to. multiply in
number, and increase in magnitude, in
some parts of our country. It was sus~
.peeled .that there were traitors, or, tw. hast;
false , brethren ia the ranks of the efiur!#P
and the-cry’ “to a ten"-—was v oiwnded team
town to town, and from mountain to moun
tain, till victory ceased, and intestine war
began. And then, what a flame of bitter
controversy —of mutual heart-burning, cri
mination and recrimination—charges and
replies was kindled tip. Forgetting the
command—“ work while the day lasts” —
Christians began to abandon their own
hearts and the promotion of revivals, and
entered into questions of delate, which
might display their own theological acu
men, but would hardly lie expected to bring
plain, common people to Christ. While
they were discussing the doctrines of re
ligion, its duties were too much neglected.
While they were “contending earnestly
for the faith once delivered to the saints,”
they overlooked the fact, that that faith is
a living faith, manifested by walking with
God and seeking the conversion of sinners,
more beautifully than by a warfare, of
words, Where words are insufficient to pro
duce conviction. These remarks, it may
justly be said, arc more applicable to some
other Christians than to Baptists. We
need to be expostulated w ith, only so far
as we have imbibed the unhappy spirit that
has prevailed around us ; but, just solar,
it becomes tis to repent, and to sot a wor
thier example. Let us all humbly anil
faithfully examine ourselves. “The Lord
is with you, while ye he wth him ; and if
ye seek him, ho will be found of you ; but
if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”
The tumult and noise of controversy,
seems now, in a degree, to have subsided.
The outward affairs of the church, at home
and abroad, in Christendom and in foreign
stations, are prosperous. Why then should
we not return to duty, and “strengthen the
things that remain, that are ready to die !”
The reasons tor so doing need hot-be urged.
Every Christian feels how desirable is a
new and universal impulse from heaven.
Every one prays daily, at least in words,
and many, wc trust, in spirit, for a revival
that may again bless our churches.
The whole world is agreed in one thing;
that Christians, as instruments of good in
the hands of God, are bound to use effort;
and that God promotes his own benevolent
ends, through the agency of “means. Be
fore wc pray again, then, for a revival, let
us ask ourselves, if wc are determined to
use the proper means, w hen they are point
ed out to us—if we are willing to act as
agents in promoting the conversion of inch
to his praise? If wc are not, then we have
grounds to suspect our Christian charac
ter. We have reason to enquire for tbi
reason of our hope of salvation, ands e
soul.” If we are eagerly seeking the path
of duty, and waiting for the showings of
the Spirit, wo can, doubtless, see some
thing in our previous habits preventing the
Saviour’s return. Jn ourellbrts, then, to
promote a revival of religion throughout
the land, let us fix our minds, definitely,
on these points:—
1. Is the Spirit stayed because of any
deficiency on my part t Am I, in any way,
the cause of the present religious depres
sion ! By positive or apparent sin, or by
neglect of any duty, do 1 contribute to bin
der a revival ?
2. Am l milling to have the work of
God revived; and, for the sake of promot
ing that end, am l willing to (brsuke the
cherished sin—to do the neglected duty—
to come up to the full course of human ef
fort, as my own conscience and. the Holy,
Ghost demand !
3. Permit us to add—if these questions
arc answered affirmatively, will you do it
now ?
Wo would distinctly reeogui/.e the agen
cy of the Spirit in all those operations,
where hfs special presence is manifested.
But, at the same time, wc would have it
(bit with equal distinctness that divine in
fluence docs not, and never will preclude
human responsibility. The deficiency to
be remedied is not in God, but in man.
Let us hear and weigh his own challenge —
“Bring all the tithes into the store-house,,
and prove me now herewith, saitli the
Lord of hosts, if 1 will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room e
notigh to receive it.” “Hath he said, and
will fie not do it? Hath ho spoken, and
will lie not make it good?”
From the Christian Watchman
Sacred Trilidriii.
Notwithstanding so much has been said j
and written concerning the defects of our |
version of the Sacrc.d Scriptures, it is an j
undeniable truth, that this version is, on
the w hole, one of the best, if not the very
tscst, which has ever been made. So that
should any one attempt, without Consulting
the English version, to make a better one
from the original, it is doubted whether he i
could make one which should he so good j
as the one wc now have. This truth will
be much confirmed, if wc consider I lie sim
ilarity which there is between the elegant,
and correct version of Georanni Diodati,
an honest and learned Italian professor of
divinity, and our own. If we compare
these two versions throughout, we shall
scarcely find any material difference be
tween them. If wc likewise take the
Peshito Syriac version ofthe New Testa
ment, and compare it with our version,
we find that we may read page after page,
THE CimiSTl/utf 2K3EX.
tHM discern scarcely a shadow of difler
tsace between them. Now this surely af
ufbrds a,wonderful proof of the correctness
ppf 9S V>rsion. For the Peshito was made
period. By home, it is syn
tirst century. There are also many other
versions of the Scriptures, which by their
agreement with our version, go to prove its
correctness.
llow greatly then do those evince their
ignorance who arc continually talking
about the incorrectness ofthe English ver
sion, and thfc importance of an acquaint
ance with t/fio original languages, in order
to attain tl£ true meaning of scripture.—
They shpw that they have but little ac
quaintance with the original languages;
for if they had a thorough acquaintance
with the|h, they must know and acknow
ledge tl(e excellence of the version now in
use. flencc wc may sec, that the hum
ble Christian need not be alarmed, lest,
on account of bis not being acquainted
•with, the original lungunges, he shall not
be abl to know the true meaning of tie
sacred oracles, for lie may be assured that
his own Bible contains every thing that is
necessary for him to know in order to pre
pare for heaven and its holy employments.
Yes, blessed be God, our Bible contains
every tiling necessary for faith and prac
tice—w ould that Christians prized and read
it more! Awful will be their sentence at
the last great day, if they heed not its
warnings, and love not its precepts. —
Great is their ingratitude to God, if, when
he ’kindly grants them the light of revela
tion, while thousands of our race are still
enveloped in the darkness of nature, they
refuse to walk in the light of the Lord.
But although not only what I have just
now written, but much more, might bo ad
vanced in favor ofthe English version, yet
still wo must not consider it to be wholly
with lit defects, or that an acquaintance
with the original languages is not highly
desirable, in order to correct any errors
which cur translators may have
edly made, and to be enabled to answer
the objections of infidels and teachers of
false doctrines. To show the importance
of thus being’ acquainted with the original
languages, 1 will cite a passage from An
drew Fuller’s works. Speaking of the
restoration of the Jews, he says, There
seems to be reference made to this circum
stance in Is. 24. 23. “Then tlie moon
shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed,
when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount
tit i i iui 7m* farclj ls an*
dents gloriously.” Now a slight atten
tion tp the Hebrew original would have
shown him, that the word rendered an
cients; does not refer to the Jewish people
in general, considered as God’s ancient
people, but t<’ a certain class of the people,
who Were styled ancients or elders, either
from 6ge, or some other circumstance.—
So that to argue the restoration of God’s
iindenf people from Ibis verso, would be
wholly’inappropriate.
I will also adduce a passage from the
Scriptures, Job ii. D—‘Dost thou still re
tain thy integrity ? curse God and die.’—
The Hebrew word which is here rendered
curse, is rendered, upwards of fifty times
in other parts of the Bible, by the word
Idess, vGuch is the proper signification of
the original word. But our translators
have given it a meaning directly contrary
to the true one. The reason why they did
so, is obvious. They thought the sense
required it. But the sense does not neces
sarily require it, and therefore it should
not lie thus rendered, especially when there
is an express word in Hebrew, which sig
nifies to curse, and which would, doubtless
have been used, if tbclloly Spirit, who in
dited die Scriptures, had wished to signify
that Ibe wife of Job commanded him to
curse his God. To confirm the assertion,
that the word ought to be rendered bless,
we have the concurrent testimony of the
must approved German, French, Italian,
Spanish, and Portuguese versions, in all of”
which the word is rendered in this way.—
So that oil doubt with regard to the true
signification of the word in this place, is
thus happily removed. For when we see
so many correct scholars of different na
tions thus agreeing in the signification of
life word and the original, plainly confirm
ing the same, we have almost demonstra
tive evidence with regard to its true mean
ing- This, then, is the correct translation,
“ bless God, anid die.”
There are other passage- which might
be adduced from holy writ, to show the
importance of an acquaintance with the
original languages, but these will suffice.
1 low ought then every minister of Jesus
Christ to make himself acquainted with ihe
word of God. in the original languages,
that he may be enabled to instruct the peo
ple of hi* charge, and to answer the objec
tions ol infidels and scoffers. And how
ought he to drink into the spirit of the
Scriptures. It is to lx: feared that there is
an awful negligence in this respect among
, the professed ministers of Christ. They
possess perhaps a great deal of human
science and learning; but how little do
they know and feel 1 lie truths which are
contained in the word of* God. “ May
God forgive the sin of the ministry in tins,
.respect, and particularly my own.”,
- rh ..nigh vre ,may neglect the C.’bfe,
’■■■■ ITU,I - u ‘ti n,.f ft . 1 r! a-., ‘tfeur h e.rrr.-
are not affected by the truths therein con
tained; they will only serve to aggravate’
our condemnation. Better had it been for
us, never to have read the Bible, than to
read it, and disregard the truths which it
reveals! Oh that we were wise, that we
understood these things, that it might be
well with us and opr children forever.
DEMUTII.
. From the Christian Watchman.
Preaching to Preachers—Wo. 9.
Ministers are not understood. They
often take their people to be wiser than
they really arc ; wiser in the knowledge
ot terms, and even of many very com
mon words. There are probably hun
dreds of words in almost every sermon of
some ministers, of whose meaning a very
large proportion of their hearers have the
most vague and inadequate conceptions,
and many of which they are utterly ignor
ant.
In this respect, they want “preaching
to” at least, 1 think so. Ol’the objections
to the use of simpler language, which are
commonly brought, 1 am not wholy igno
rant; but they seem to me to have very
little weight. Why should not simple lan
guage, such as is adapted to the apprehen
sion of the ignorant adult, and even chil
dren, be as captivating when spoken to an
audience as when written in a hook 1 Yet
I have always observed that those books
which interest the young most, onstage
ill J ° . O O
most deeply the attention of parents.
Where is the child that lias been more in
terested in the writings of Edgeworth, and
Sherwood, and Gullandet, than its parent?
In like manner, I am fully persuaded that
no sermons would be more popular among
parents, than those which should be suc
cessful in engaging the attention of their
children. Is it not a pity, then, that a re
term cannot be effected, if an audience
consist of 500 adults and 500 children, of
whom none but. 200 adults understand the
sermon, Would it be important to. interest,
instruct and improve the remaining 800 !
Yet it has been my lot to hear, probably, a
thousand sermonfe, which to a greater pro
portion than four fifths of the audience,
were to all intents and purposes delivered
in an unknown tongue.
Sermons, too,are often much too intel
lectual—They “play round the head” of
the hearer, but “come not near the heart;”
no, not within a mile of it. Some, and
those not a few, are wholly metaphysical.
4 fear uiel/tU'BTery If tilt. l oFfhc” presnching
which was common in Judea 1800 years
ago. It savors too much ofthe school and
the study. All is smooth and fair—beauti
fully written, and eloquently spoken; and
it is no uncommon thing to secure atten
tion to the sound lor an honr or more.
But u hat good is accomplished? The
hearer may be intcllectulized, (excuse the
term) he may even be moralized, but he
is seldom, if ever CinhsTiAxizEii. In
spite of your logical, systematic discourses,
the heart often remains as untouched as if
it were among the frosts of a polar winter.
I am not certain, even, that these results
have not become more common, since al
most all sects have fallen into the habit of
relying on a n educated ministry. I should
be sorry, however, that my suspecions on
this point should be well founded; for such
results are by no means necessary; and no
man perhaps lias more confidence in a well
educated ministry than myself.. The wid
er the ministerial range of knowledge is,
coeteris paribus, the better.
Ministers would do more good, in myo
pinion, if they interspersed their discour
ses with more familiar illustration and an
ecdote. Why, I would again suggest, has
1800 years produced such a change in the
character of Christian sermons? Is not
human nature.nearly the same in all ages
and countries?
But, lastly, it appears to me ihat minis
ters are yielding too much to the popular
clamor for practical discourses. True, c
very thing should be practical;, but this is
not what is intended. It is dry morality
which is wanted. Alas! here is one of
the capital errors of the day; and when
it will be corrected, no one-can tell. It is
not confined to a sect or two, who, in ef
fect, trample openly on the great doctrine
ofthe cross; perhaps by denominating it a
great central gallows, or something equi
valent ; but is, it seems to me, stealing ils
march, on nearly all seels. On this point,
more than all the rest, it is believed, minis
ters “preaching to.”
A’ Layma x.
prom the American Baptist Magazine.
II tv. Si van Jones’ Letter.
Valley Tow as, June 11, 1833.
Dear Sir, —Our meeting at the mission
house commenced on Saturday, and closed
last evening.
Bro, John Wicklilfe preached a thrilling
and affectionate discourse on Saturday af
ternoon ; after which 1 gave some advices
preparatory to attendance on the Lord’s
supper next day. l’rayer-ineeting on Sab
bath morning at sunrise. After breakfast
wc had church-meeting, to hear l-he expe
rience of candidates. Five came forward
to tell us what God had done for their souls,
and wc rejoiced in the hope that the Holy
Spirit lmd commenced a work of grace in
their minds, which he w ill carry on toper
lection.
W bile the candidates were preparing for
baptism, bro. Dsufawe, or Andrew Fuller,
preached an animated and affectionate’
discourse, under which the congregation
Were much affected. : “ v ‘
We then proceeded’fertile r.vpr, with *-•
eatididates, on.e,ma)f and -fix females,
“Tito of whom hn<T Tfeeii approved by the
church before. The shcreixordinance was’
then administered by brother John Wick
liffe. ’ “ ‘ “
1 know you would have been highly
gratified to w itness this Christian ordinance
administered, tor the first time, by the first
full Cherokee that ever laid believing peni
tents in the Saviour’s liquid grave. His
whole sold seemed to be absorbed in the
great things represented by', this sacra.,
meat. .
1 trust this will be followed by multiplied,
instances of the efficacy of sovereign grace ,
in transforming the human character, and
raising individuals from the lowest state of
degradation, and setting them with tho
princes of his people.
1 am vours, &c.
EVAN JONES.
The Rev. W. Edehnan said that a pious
servant, being occasionally sent by a gen- ’
demon’s family to a neighboring town to
procure novels, adopted the innocent strata
agem of inserting small Tracts between
the leaves. They were read-—and in a
short time the novel gave way to the Bi
ble. London Tract Magazine. -
~~ PROSPECTUS
FOR PUBLISHING AT SCOTTSBOF.OTJGH, NEAR MIL
LEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
A LITERARY PERIODICAL.
ENTITLED,
The Georgia tlcaricmician
AND
Southern .loiivunl f Education
To be dll oled to the interest of Education,
IN OCR OWN STATE PARTICULARLY, AND
ADAPTED TO THE WANTS OF FAMI
LIES AND COMMUNITIES,
23v ROBUI2T C. BROWIV, .
OF SCOTTSBOROUGH.
?’ fH FI H Editor is of opinion that philosophical
J- Education, as it. is generally conducted
m our Universities and Academies, is too
much confined to the communication of know- ■
ledge, and that too little attention is bestowed
on the fern iat ion of tiid .intellectual habits of
judging, reasoning, and communication, by
which alone, the prosecution of science, after
leaving School or College, and the business of
active life, can be succcesfully pursued. It is,
therefore, his design, to conduct this work in
reference to the analysis of the human mind,
and to endeavor to forward the grand object of
fitting our sons and daughters for practical
life
There being no work of the kind in the
Southern country", it is taken for granted, that
no one w .the propriety -of einlea
'vorinfr to establish an organ of good, so much
needed. We adopt the sentiments of no pari’
ty; wn are pledged to no society; nor is it
our wish to dictate as to any mode, or course,
to be pursued in general or particular instruc
tion, Our aim shall be, to open the avenues
of thought oil tills important subject; and by
our efforts, endeavor to bless the country or
our adoption, the land of our children, the
home that we love!
At a time when manual labor schools, and
other respectable institutions are rising around
us, it is reasonable to expect, that some mode
of communication, with regard to the success
or failure of any attempts, is very desirable.—
Teachers need a. periodical wherein they
may’ express tlicir views, and from which they
may learn the views of others, and gather en
couragement and guidance in the arduous task
of instruction. It is our design, to collect .
information'from every source, and make our
paper an organ of communication, between
distant teachers nrd the friends of Education
in general.
Perhaps, nt no period of our history, could
there he a greater call for correct views on
school-books, and apparatus, necessary, to facil
itate the progress of the pupil. We will,
therefore endeavor to supply our columns with
respectable reviews of manuals, and informa
tion with regard to all the machinery of Edu
cation. ‘. - ■ ’
That our paper may interest every thinking
man, and be an inmate of the family circle,
it will embrace Agricultural and Mechanical
Essays, polite literature, Essays on moral and
physical science, biography, original and se
lected poetry", strictures on the best modes of
Education, discipline of schools, notices of lite
rary institutions, and literary works—in fine,
any subject calculated to interest the Planter,
the Teacher, Mother, Father, Guardian, and
Student,
Disputed points, on politics or religion,
shall be entirely excluded ; nor is the Acade
mician ever to be the vehicle of malevolent
insinuations, or ungenerous aspersions. It
shall be tho constant aim ofthe Editor, to unite
all conflicting interests and views, in the no
ble object of training children in the ways of
wisdom; and diffusing a taste for literature,
the arts and sciences; which ever tend to
make a happy and enlightened people.
Advertisements of Teachers, Schools, and
Books, will be inserted at the usual rates, but
this class of advertisements only ; as it is in
terbed to make the Academician subserve the
purposes of Education and general informa
tion.
The paper will be published semi-monthly,
at Three Dollars per annum, payable in ad
vance, and will contain eight pages —in a
good type, on the plan of the American Far
mer—Twenty-four numbers making a volume;
which will he accompanied with an elegant
title page, and general index.
Editors willing, to further the cause of edu
cation in our Sir.te, will confer a favor by pub
lishing this Prospectus, and the stew will be
reciprocated in any way desired.
It is contemplated that the first number will’
bo issued in November next. Any person for
warding to the Editor subscriptions for five
papers, shall receive the sixth copy gratis.
Communiontii ns mldivssed, post paid, R. C.
Brown, Scottsborougb, will bo attended to.
September 1, 1833.
PRINTED BY
Price, Gnaiu, iV Sarniidge*.
WASHINGTON, Ga;‘
43