The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

We have received two or three Pieces, in answer to the wicked School-Master, who endeavours to throw aside the ancient Catechism, one of which is as follows: if any more is said on the Subject, the Printers would be glad a little solid Substance, commonly called Cash, may accompany it, and then it may be said some Benefit is got by the Dispute, otherwise it's feared no Body will receive any good--For, says, a Correspondent, Over set the Assembly's Catechism! you might as well advertise, and it certainly would be as soon believed -- That the Rev. Dr. Langdon's Meeting-House, does not stand on the Parade--- Our School-Master is really to be pitied, but it is too much to be feared, he is in the Dark.

Messieurs Fowles, Please to give the following a Place in your Paper, occasioned by Some curious Questions of a Country School-Master, which he put to his Children, in his Catechising of them, with their Answers thereto, and his Remarks thereon.

He first Question it seems was one of his own, (and perhaps he wou'd like a Catechism if he was to make one himself) and it looks as tho' it was put to the Children with a Design rather to ensnare than instruct them.

School-Master, Who made the Catechism?

Ans. GOD made it----No says the Master, that is wrong answered, GOD did not make it, and therefore it is not to be depended upon---- I would catechise this School-Master, as he stands in such Need of it--- Who made the ten Commandments? Are they the Commandments of God or Man? If they are the Commandments of GOD, pray Mr. School-Master don't tell your Children that they are not to be depended upon, because they were put into the Catechism by the Assembly of Divines.

We have the School Master's Approbation of the Answer to the second Question in the Catechism---Namely, that the Word of God which is contained in the scriptures of the old and New Testament is the only Rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. That's right, says the Master, the Word of God is the only Rule, therefore the Catechism is no Rule, And you need not mind it at all. Pray Mr. School-Master, not mind the Catechism at all, what Evil has it taught? Why an infallible Truth, which the School-Master is ready to own to be a Form of sound Words, and yet not to be minded at all.

How are Children to be pitied that have such a Teacher. How disqualified is a Master to teach, who is no better instructed himself--?

And how are Parents to be reproved who will employ such a Man to educate their Children, and teach them the fear of the Lord, who tells them, the Catechism is not to be minded at all, although it contains the moral Law, given by God himself, which is the Measure of our Duty to him, to our Neighbour, & to ourselves, and teaches us to observe the sacred Word of God, as an infallible Rule of Faith and Practice.