32
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
esteemed right. To be innocent was to be criminal. From its iron grasp neither death nor the grave afforded any sanctuary. It arro- gated to itself the supremacy of the whole [e] arth, and the power of control over the destinies of men in the world to come. Religion and politics, heaven and hell, and everything named amongst men were converted by this Demon into engines subservient to its own designs. During its sway, tyranny, cruelty, oppression, violence and bloodshed, and the whole catalogue [o]f vice, misery and woe, abounded every where. For the correctness of this account I appeal to history itself. -Now, what does the above picture prove? It demonstrates, beyond the possibility of a reasonable doubt, that a state of ignorance and neglect of education is the. high road to vice of every description, and misery of every grade. On the other hand, it is no less true that knowledge and virtue are equally inseparable; and constitute [t]he only road to excellency and happiness. Taking the continuation of the history above alluded to for illustration: under the sway of ignorance, every thing concurred to introduce and establish a universal reign of gloom and horror. Now, mark the contrast. No soone,r did the light of science begin to glimmer at the first dawn of the Reformation than the reign of tyranny and oppression trembled to the very centre. Under the fostering influence of Education the spirits of Wyckliff, Erasmus, Melancthon and Luther rose up; and nobly and fearlessly broke their own fetters, and asserted the right of man to the exercise of mental liberty. At the light which these la[mps] of knowledge af. forded, the whole world stood ama [zed]. It was like the fiat of crea- tion, , 61 let there be lig'ht, and there was light" 'The Monster of iniquity, feeling his power diminishing and his very existence threatened struggled hard. -But [in] vain, his native darkness was invaded; the r [ays] of knowledge increased and spread rapidly and extensively; not indeed with the brightness in which we enjoy, them, but like the morning dawn breaking forth in the east, the sure and certain harbinger of day. And small as the light of knowledge was at that time, yet, under its genial influence- were seen the first germinations of liberty; benevolence, and happiness. By it mankind were roused up; their eyes were opened; heir fetters: were loosened; knowledge was sought; Institutions for Education were established; the spirit of inquiry and enterprize were gradually unfettered; and the glorious work of regeneration in Church and state made rapid advancement. Intsead of ignorance and supersti- tion bright Science now diffused vivifying and chetring influence throughou [t] the land. And in proportion as Education developes its: boundless resources, the reign of darkness ceases to exist, oppres~ion and violence are no more. Peace, good order, j-ustice and uprightness communicate strength and energy throughout the whole :omnmnity. And in the United States of the North abov.e all other countries in- stead of poverty, terror and woe persevering Industry ha<i filled every habitation with its bounteous treasures. The voice of gladness and joy reverberate from State to State, and from City to City.-Educa- , e1The original contains the Hebrew.
Powered by FlippingBook