AŃ

ESSAY

ON

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.

INTRODUCTION.

MOST writers upon the subject of Education, who are not of the philosophizing Sect, recommend particular attention to be paid to Religious Instruction, and various methods for conveying the knowledge of Christianity to young minds have been proposed, but I do not recollect any System that carries this instruction back to the early season at which I conceive a Christian Education should begin, or that has for its foundation the Holy Sacrament, by which infants are received into the Christian church, and to which, surely, constant regard should be had through the whole course of a child's education. Upon this plan, then, the following Essay will proceed, in which I shall endeavor to point out a method of inculcating the knowledge

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knowledge and practice of Christianity, not merely as an essential branch of instruction, but as the foundation of a good education, to which every other branch of instruction should be kept in subordination. And if it be remembered that Human beings are created both for a temporal and an eternal existence, it must surely appear highly reasonable, that the interests of every individual, as an HEIR OF IMMORTALITY, should be considered in preference to the concerns of his mortal state.

It certainly was the practice of our pious forefathers to initiate children at an early age in the knowledge of divine truths: but since the fanciful system of Rousseau made its way in this kingdom, a great change has taken place, and it is now the frequent practice of parents to defer religious instruction beyond the first stage of infancy, or at least to avoid teaching young children any thing concerning the peculiar doctrines of CHRISTIANITY. With all due deference to those who have written before me upon the subject of education, I shall stand forth as an advocate for the early instruction of children in those divine truths which were revealed for the benefit, and for the study also (in proportion to their respective abilities) of ALL who should be admitted into the CHRISTIAN COVE

NANT.

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As a member of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, my remarks will have an immediate reference to its Institutions and Ordinances; but I trust they will not be wholly unacceptable to persons of other religious persuasions who have their children baptized in their infancy, and who agree with the members of the Establishment in the fundamental doctrines of CHRISTIANITY. To those who deny the divinity and atonement of CHRIST, and the existence of the HOLY GHOST, these sheets will most probably be regarded as the effusions of enthusiasm and prejudice.

CHAPTER I.

On the Sacrament of Baptism, as the foundation of a Christian Education.

THE nature of the plan will lead us back to what may be considered as the commencement of a Child's life, as a Religious Being, the time of its being received into the CHRISTAN CHURCH, when, according to the doctrines of that church, it has a new birth unto righteousness.' Before this period, though an Infant doubtless is an object of divine mercy and compassion, it cannot be regarded as a candidate for heavenly bliss and glory upon the terms which the Gospel alone holds forth.

Let us begin, therefore, with an examination of THE OFFICE FOR THE MINISTRATION OF PUBLIC BAPTISM TO INFANTS, keeping the COMMON PRAYER BOOK open at the office, to refer to as we proceed.

Parents who properly reflect upon the importance of this HOLY SACRAMENT, without which no one can be made a MEMBER OF CHRIST'S CHURCH,

or

or gain a title to the INESTIMABLE PRIVILEGES Of the CHRISTIAN COVENANT, will surely be anxious to have their children baptized in their early infancy, as the RUBRICK directs; and in the proper place, namely, the HOUSE OF GOD.

But how contrary to this, is the prevailing custom of baptizing children at home! We will not say that those who are thus baptized are not made Christians, God forbid! but they certainly are not properly received into the Church of CHRIST, neither are so many people edified by their baptism as might be, were this Sacrament publicly administered. The usual excuse for this, irregular practice is, that when a child is carried to church, very few of the congregation appear to take any interest in the matter; but that on the contrary, if the office is performed after the second lesson, as the ru bric directs, the people present too frequently regard it as a troublesome interruption to the common service of the day. This surely, can never be the case but for want of proper attention, for the whole office is of the most edifying nature, and calculated to call forth those sentiments which every Christian ought to feel when a new member. is added to the BODY, of which CHRIST is the HEAD. But whether the congregation in general will attend or not, it is certainly the duty of parents

to