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Literary
July 6, 1865
Belmont Chronicle
Saint Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio
What is this article about?
An essay advocating for early and systematic religious and moral instruction of children, arguing it benefits their minds and hearts, while critiquing parental focus on superficial worldly achievements over cultivating virtue and happiness.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Belmont Chronicle
St. Clairsville, Ohio, July 6.
Religious Instruction of Children
Some teachers suppose that no benefit, but much evil, would be the result of the early and systematic instruction of children in morals and religion. This is a great mistake. The doctrines of Christianity, if properly presented, can have only a beneficial effect upon the minds and hearts of the young. Is there aught in these doctrines that can render the mind gloomy and unsocial? Will the habitual gratitude of the heart to the Supreme Benefactor detract from the enjoyment of his gifts? Will the idea of constant presence and protection—the love and favor of such a Being—tend to depress the mind? Or will the wish for the approbation of his Heavenly Father, friend, protector and judge, and the fear of his displeasure, impair the energy of virtue? Why, then, do we reject the salutary assistance which religion offers us to subduing the worst, and cultivating the best passions and affections of the human heart? Alas! because that, by the public and the splendid scenes of this vain and transitory life, we are so completely engrossed, that in the education of our children we lose every other view but that of qualifying them to attract the applause and admiration of the world. For this in our boys we cultivate the understanding, while we neglect the heart; in our girls we leave both heart and understanding to the care of chance, while we assiduously endeavor to make them excel in a few superficial and useless accomplishments. But while we thus strive to build the fabric of their fame, it is to be feared that in laying the foundation, we sometimes undermine their happiness.
St. Clairsville, Ohio, July 6.
Religious Instruction of Children
Some teachers suppose that no benefit, but much evil, would be the result of the early and systematic instruction of children in morals and religion. This is a great mistake. The doctrines of Christianity, if properly presented, can have only a beneficial effect upon the minds and hearts of the young. Is there aught in these doctrines that can render the mind gloomy and unsocial? Will the habitual gratitude of the heart to the Supreme Benefactor detract from the enjoyment of his gifts? Will the idea of constant presence and protection—the love and favor of such a Being—tend to depress the mind? Or will the wish for the approbation of his Heavenly Father, friend, protector and judge, and the fear of his displeasure, impair the energy of virtue? Why, then, do we reject the salutary assistance which religion offers us to subduing the worst, and cultivating the best passions and affections of the human heart? Alas! because that, by the public and the splendid scenes of this vain and transitory life, we are so completely engrossed, that in the education of our children we lose every other view but that of qualifying them to attract the applause and admiration of the world. For this in our boys we cultivate the understanding, while we neglect the heart; in our girls we leave both heart and understanding to the care of chance, while we assiduously endeavor to make them excel in a few superficial and useless accomplishments. But while we thus strive to build the fabric of their fame, it is to be feared that in laying the foundation, we sometimes undermine their happiness.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Religious Instruction
Children Education
Moral Doctrines
Christian Benefits
Parental Neglect
Literary Details
Title
Religious Instruction Of Children
Key Lines
The Doctrines Of Christianity, If Properly Presented, Can Have Only A Beneficial Effect Upon The Minds And Hearts Of The Young.
Why, Then, Do We Reject The Salutary Assistance Which Religion Offers Us To Subduing The Worst, And Cultivating The Best Passions And Affections Of The Human Heart?
But While We Thus Strive To Build The Fabric Of Their Fame, It Is To Be Feared That In Laying The Foundation, We Sometimes Undermine Their Happiness.