The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To all those who are Friends to Religion, & Learning, and have the Instruction of Youth.

Thoughts on Education.

The instruction of the Youth being a matter of infinite importance to the prosperity and happiness of society, as well as individuals, every attempt to throw light upon this interesting subject, must be acceptable to the public. To promote learning, and virtue, has been the study of the wise and benevolent, in all ages and nations of the world. And to cultivate and polish the rising generation, illuminate their minds with knowledge, form them to virtue, and fit them to be ornaments and blessings to mankind, has justly been esteemed one of the most noble and important employments that can exercise the human mind. May this grand, universal concern, ever engage the attention of the inhabitants of America; and a noble passion animate every man to contribute something to human felicity, and the welfare of his country.

What we shall now consider, is the importance of teaching youth to read with propriety and distinction, so as to enter into the spirit, and convey the ideas, of an author: and likewise, the impropriety of teaching them to read in Bibles, and the ill consequences of such a practice.

It is well known that there are but few, even among those who have had a polite education; that can read in a graceful manner; with that easy natural air, accent, and emphasis, which distinguish the orator when he enters into the spirit and conveys the ideas of a writer, in the most agreeable and striking light. To acquire this great accomplishment, persons should begin to study the art of speaking, as soon as they can read. And as no person can read well unless he understands his subject, it is necessary for youth to have books, which are level with their capacity, and subjects, that are engaging to their minds. Such as dialogues upon the most useful and pleasing topics. In reading a dialogue, there should be as many boys as there are persons represented, and each boy personate one. This method will make it entertaining, and greatly contribute to their reading and speaking in a proper and pleasing manner.

The advantages that will accrue by this method of instruction, are many and great; this will unite pleasure and profit, (which is the great art of teaching) for the youth being agreeably entertained with those familiar and pleasing dialogues, will give greater attention to their learning, and acquire it with very little expense of time, or trouble to their instructors. The pleasure, as well as advantage, that accrues to him who is master of the art of speaking, is obvious to every one, and therefore the importance of obtaining it should engage their attention.

The common practice of teaching youth to read in the Bible, has been often and justly censured, as being productive of many bad consequences; but, as in many other cases, custom has prevailed against the clearest reason and demonstration. A short history of the Bible would be a very proper book for a school, but the Bible itself is not calculated at all for that purpose; for the language, and the ideas it conveys are above the capacity of children to understand; and therefore, for the reasons above mentioned, not suitable to instruct them in the art of reading.

Another objection, still more weighty, is, the Bible being used as a common school-book, the youth consider it in the same light they do other books; which are designed only to learn them to read, and pay no regard to its sacred contents. Besides, as they are often compelled to read, what is quite unintelligible to them, it becomes a disagreeable task; and begets an aversion in their minds to the scriptures. By these means, they get a habit of treating the Bible with the same careless indifference as they do any common book; read it without seriousness, or attention, and lose all sense of its being the word of GOD, the rule of life, and only guide to eternal happiness! When once this evil habit is contracted, it is very hard to free the mind from it. Impressions made on young minds, are commonly deep and lasting; and wise men, have found it extremely difficult to wear off an ill habit; or bad impression, by the utmost efforts of reason when arrived to its maturity. Perhaps none can perfectly do it during life. And it is very evident, that one principal cause of that careless inattention with which people in general read the Bible, is that now mentioned; an evil, which if possible, ought to be remedied. To do this, the Scriptures should be read with a view only to moral instruction.-- Learning to read, never should be mentioned to youth as a motive for reading the Bible. Spiritual instruction, the knowledge of GOD, and way to Heaven, should be the grand incitements set before them to engage their minds to study the sacred oracles, which alone can show them the paths of honor, and happiness, and make them wise unto eternal salvation!--That the youth should be taught constantly to read in the Bible, is of very great importance, and as soon as they can read, they should employ part of their time every day at school, as well as at home, in reading those parts of scripture which they are capable of understanding; for this is the way to improve their minds in the knowledge of divine things, and the purest morality which is the most important part of education. This is the principal thing, the first & grand concern to be attended to in forming the minds of youth, & without this, all other instruction is of little or no value. But the objection still remains in its full weight against using the Bible as a common school-book to learn to read. It is true, that the youth will learn to read by reading the Bible to moral instruction, but the former never should be proposed as the design for using the Bible: the latter alone should be mentioned to youth, and insisted upon as the great end and all-important design of studying the oracles of Heaven.

As the sun of learning rises fast in these western climes, and the beams of knowledge are spreading far and wide, if moral instruction, and forming the minds of youth to religion and virtue, is made the principal part of education, what polished and glorious times may we soon see in America.

AN AMERICAN