as in a mirror, we behold his spotless example in consummate perfection; whilst his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, point to a blessed immortality! This divine knowledge infused into the tender minds of the youth of both sexes, will be found indispensably useful in passing through life-smoothing its rugged surface-investing death with an angel's face, and terminating in eternal felicity The rapid tide of YOUTH will soon be o'er, From conscious rectitude, from Wisdom's ways, Nor must I omit to remark before I conclude, that the great Apostle of the Gentiles, mentions Childhood as a period illustrative of the present life in connection with a life to come. 1 Cor. xiii. 11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a MAN, I put away childish things. This sentiment is explained and enforced by the late Dr. Richard Price, in his Posthumous Sermons, with his usual perspicacity and eloquence: "CHILDHOOD is a time of ignorance and folly. Our faculties are then opening, and reason begins to show itself. Such is our whole present existence compared with our FUTURE. At our best state in this world, we may say of ourselves with the utmost propriety, that we know nothing, and are nothing! It is HEREAFTER that we are to become wise and knowing. We now mistake presumption for knowledge, a strange imagination for a sound understanding, and the delusions of passion for the perceptions of truth. Hereafter our intellectual * See a Volume of Poems, by A. Flowerdew. Second Edition-an interesting little work. powers will acquire vigour. We shall wonder at our present follies, as we now do at those of CHILDREN. We shall see intuitively those truths which we now are obliged to make out by long and intricate deductions. That ETERNAL and INFINITE MIND, of which we have now only a glimpse, will become an object of our discernment; and being no more confined to this little corner of the immense creation, we shall see more of it, and understand better its structure and laws. What an improvement will this be! What a happiness shall we experience when we shall be delivered from this childish world! When the causes that now cramp our powers, and obstruct our prospect of the creation, shall be removed, and nature be unveiled to us! When, in short, we shall become MEN-know as we are known—and feel and think as SUPERIOR BEINGS do! "Idleness and laziness in youth, form a manhood void of worth and dignity; and a worthless and vicious manhood, forms a wretched old age. On the contrary, virtuous, faithful, modest, sober, and well-educated youths, always come out with advantages into the world. They recommend themselves to all that know them, and are sure of finding encouragement in every walk of life for which they may be intended. There are not indeed any objects of more general delight than such young persons. They are therefore likely to rise to usefulness and credit, and to become happy in them selves, and blessings to society; and when they have arrived at OLD AGE, they will have laid up such a store of blessings in a well-established character, and the respect and consequence they will have acquired, as will mitigate its inconveniences, support under its infirmities, and make their last days TRANQUIL and HONOURABLE!" P.S. As to the long and deeply agitated question respecting Private or Public Education, I beg leave to refer to a VOLUME entitled, On Education in Public Schools; containing Four Tracts, for and against: from the Edinburgh Review, the Classical Journal, the Pamphleteer, and also Dr. Vincent's celebrated Tract. Nor will I omit this opportunity of recommending to Parents and Teachers a small Volume, Academic Errors, or Recollections of Youth, by a Member of the University of Cambridge. The sentiments inculcated coincide with my own views, which are given in my Essay on Education, prefixed to the JUVENIle Pieces, including the Student's Dream, the Vision of Female Excellence, the Painter's Panegyrist, &c. Sixth Edition. Dedicated to Mrs. Anna Lætitia Barbauld, who has by her superior genius done so much for the rising generation. |