Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

FOR THE GAZETTE.

To the Inhabitants of the District of Maine.

About two years ago, a Society was formed consisting principally of citizens living in the counties of Cumberland, Lincoln and Kennebec for "the promotion of christian knowledge, order and piety in the District of Maine." The objects of the Society are comprehensively expressed by its title. To furnish the poor with the volume of divine truth; assist those who live in new settlements in supporting preachers of the gospel; and to improve our schools, by urging the importance of employing only such as are of good moral characters for the instruction of youth, and by recommending the more frequent perusal of the Bible by children both at home and in school; these are the views, and these will be the humble attempts of the Society.

As its funds are, yet comparatively small and as other societies have lately been formed in the State for the distribution of the bible in families, and for employing missionaries in newly settled parts of the country; it is intended, at present, (but without relinquishing the plan or the hope of doing good in these respects in future) to have principally in view to promote the usefulness of schools and the improvement of youth. And the subscriber, one of the Trustees of the Society, has been requested to address a few hints to the public, in their name on this interesting subject.

The great importance of the object, we think, will be acknowledged by all classes of citizens. The people of New-England appear to have been always sensible of the immense advantages of well regulated schools. Our legislators have often given their opinion to the same effect, by making provisions in law for the support of men of good moral characters, as the instructors of youth. The requisitions of the civil authority are explicit and ample on this subject. We wish neither to alter nor to interfere with them. Our purpose is only to call the attention of the people to the wise and wholesome directions of our laws of the commonwealth, and to recommend a ready compliance.

Under the influence of a patriotic and a religious spirit our ancestors established schools for the instruction and improvement of youth; and the best effects have resulted from these institutions. In a free country, like ours, this consideration must have great weight. To prepare our youth to be good members of society, it is necessary they be well instructed and well-directed in the early periods of life. And hence appears the vast importance of employing, in the responsible office of school-masters, such only as are of correct morals and as will attend also to the moral conduct of the youth committed to their care.

It is indeed, for the people, or their agents, to employ such individuals as they choose. But we hope, it will not be considered as interfering with their rights, when we urge them, by considerations of regard to the public good and of affection for their beloved offspring, to engage, as teachers and masters of schools, such persons only as possess good characters and display pure morals. And perhaps sufficient attention has not always been paid to the abilities and the literary qualifications of the instructors of our youth. It certainly is necessary, they should at least have a knowledge of our own language and be able to teach it correctly.

It is also recommended to the school committees (or to the selectmen where there is no such distinct committee) to visit the schools frequently, to examine into the state of them, to enquire what progress the scholars are making, and to enjoin upon the masters, that portions of the holy scriptures be frequently read in school by the higher classes, and that a weekly examination be had by them respecting the perusal of the bible by the scholars out of school, particularly on the Sabbath. It is obvious that great advantages will accrue from this practice It will at once increase, in our youth, an acquaintance with the holy scriptures and fix in them habits of attention and study, and thus prevent their spending great portions of time in mischief or folly. And from actual experience, it is found, that this plan is productive of the happiest effects. A spirit of emulation is thus excited and an uncommon attention paid to the contents of the inspired volume.

The Society have not yet precisely authorized a promise in regard to any particular town; but I am permitted to state, that it is in contemplation to reward those youth, who shall excel in their reading and knowledge of the Bible, who shall commit portions of it to memory, and who shall, at the same time, in other respects, receive the recommendation of their Instructors, by giving a Bible of better type and paper than those in common circulation, and other books on literary moral and religious subjects, unexceptionable in their doctrines and contents.

This plan will be carried into operation by placing the books, to be given, in the hands of the Selectmen, or school-committee, for them to bestow (in connexion with the minister of the Town of whatever Denomination he may be from time to time,) on such youth as shall distinguish themselves in the manner before mentioned.

The Society wish not to promise more than they can reasonably expect to perform. Their funds, tho' small, are increasing. They are happy to acknowledge the aid of many opulent individuals in the District; and they rely on the assistance of good men of all religious denominations, as they have no sectarian views to serve, and intend not to give the preference to any particular societies, in the distribution of books. From the Boston and other Bible societies, they also expect aid in receiving the sacred scriptures for distribution, according to the above plan, as well as for such families as are not able to purchase for themselves.

At present, the society must be content with having made this public declaration of their views, and with expressing, an ardent request to the people of the District, to pay more strict attention to the regulation of schools among them; on the due management of which, in a great degree, depend the virtue and happiness of the rising generation.

ALDEN BRADFORD,
in behalf of the Trustees.

Wiscasset, Sept. 28, 1810.

Note.—Those persons, who feel themselves able and disposed to encourage the views of the society are informed, that any person may become a member by paying two dollars on admission, and one dollar annually. And all who wish to become members or to contribute to the funds of the society, are requested to apply to Judge Freeman, and Hon. Woodbury Storer of Portland; to Gen. N. C. Allen, of New-Gloucester; to Charles Coffin Esq. of Gorham; to John Abbot and Jotham Stone, Esqs. of Brunswick; Jonathan Ellis, Esq. of Topsham; Rev. Mr. Jenks, Wm. King and Nathaniel Coffin, Esqs. of Bath: Rev. Hez. Packard and Peter Bailey, Esq. of Wiscasset; Benj. Vaughan, Esq. of Hallowell; Rev. Daniel Stone, of Augusta; Aaron Blaney, Esq of Bristol; Joshua Head, Esq. of Waldoborough; Rev. Jonathan Hase of Warren; Hon. Nathan Read of Belfast: and Job Nelson and Mason Shaw, Esqs. of Castine.

The several Printers in the District of Maine are requested to publish the above, and thus aid the Society in their wishes of general utility