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Library of the 
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ADDRESS 
 
 BO.lllD OF AGEJYClf 
 
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 PRESBYTERY OF ORANGE, N. CAROLINA, 
 
 IN BEHALF OP 
 
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 FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH: 
 
 \ WHICH IT IS PROPOSED 
 
 TO ERECT IN OH 
 
 NEAR GREENSBOROUGH, 
 
 IN THE COUNTY OP GUILFORD. 
 
 CHAPEL, HILL, 
 
 PRINTED BY ISAAC C. PATRIBGE. 
 
 1833. 
 
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 To the Friends of Christian Education. 
 
 THE relations you sustain as parents, guardians and patriotic- 
 citizens, will, we trust, secure your earnest and dispassionate attention 
 to the views and arguments embraced in the following Circular. It 
 consists of facts and observations, demonstrating the indispensable ne» 
 cessity of an improved system of education. 
 
 The main object of every good system of Education it will be con- 
 ceded by all, is the thorough qualification of youth for the faithful dis- 
 charge of the relative duties of life. Any system which aims at less, or 
 limits its attention to only a part of these duties, is radically defective. 
 Practical evidence of this will be afforded daily in the lives of those 
 whose instruction has thus been neglected, to the poignant distress of 
 the individual, and the loss to society of uncultivated «alent. Even 
 collegiate credentials and literary distinctions will be inadequate to 
 supply the want of unfinished, ill directed or misimproved studies, 
 when the young man assumes his station in active life. The expecta- 
 tions of parents and friends, the necessity o{ his circumstances, the 
 natural ardour of youth, all will soon concentrate his attention en the 
 study of some learned profession, or the pursuit of some civil avoca- 
 tion: While the busy scenes of life with its incidental anxieties will 
 engross all the time and attention which he has at his command. Un- 
 less then he has laid a good foundation in the golden period of life, the 
 probability is great, that the deficiencies in his e ucation will never be 
 supplied. How many young men do we see who thus set out in life 
 with brilliant hopes glowing in their bosoms, animated by the fond 
 anticipations of relatives and friends, and their cheering predictions of 
 future eminence and usefulness — But when we follow them for a few 
 years, and witness their bearing under the rude shock of competition, 
 ^ or see them grapple with the details of practical business, our hearts 
 ^) sink within us as we behold them lost by the way or surpassed by men 
 */•* whom we know to be in general far inferior to them in intellectual 
 ft power. Whence we are led to inquire the reason of this painful re- 
 sult? Upon investigation we ascertain that our young friend has left 
 
some important branch of education unfinished or superficially studied: 
 Or there are traits of character or habits arising from his principles, 
 temper or disposition which prove that the heart rather than the head 
 constitutes the obstacle to his eminence and usefulness. 
 
 We would, therefore, lay down as a fundamental principle, the posi- 
 tion, that any system of instruction, which does not contemplate the im- 
 provement of the heart, as well as the cultivation of the mind, is inade- 
 quate to attain all the ends of a good education. There is no necessary 
 connexion between science and virtue, as the history of the world can 
 attest: And unless the seeds of virtue be sown, as well as those of know- 
 ledge, it is perfectly vain to look for their spontaneous spring or deve- 
 lopement in the youthful heart. Talents unsanctified, although con- 
 joined with the loftiest intellect, promise no blessing, but rather a 
 curse to all within the circle of their influence. The richest endow- 
 ments of a beneficent Creator have in hundreds of instances been per- 
 verted by pride and unhallowed ambition to the impious and ungrate- 
 ful attempt to dim the ineffable glories of God, and to blast the happi- 
 ness of mankind by opposing the progress of benevolence and virtue! 
 Here it is evident beyond a doubt, that the education of such a man 
 has been wofully neglected. And such will, we believe, ever be the 
 natural tendency, so long as unregenerate youth, even under the super- 
 intendence of Christian instructors of unquestionable piety, have their 
 minds directed solely to literary and scientific studies. 
 
 The Professors of a College take it for granted that the youthful 
 mind has been early imbued with the elements of religious knowledge 
 in the nursery and preparatory schools. They stand ready to lead the 
 tyro further into the recesses of the temple of Science. But generally 
 speaking the religious foundation has never yet been laid. The study 
 of Mathematics and Philosophy, the Classics and polite literature (all 
 preliminary qualifications to worldly eminence) are the principal stu- 
 dies of a College course. The history of heathen gods and goddesses 
 is pondered over and mastered by a pupil, who knows nothing - carce- 
 ly of the true God or of Jesus Christ whom he has sent, although to 
 know them aright is eternal life! Not to know them, is to live without 
 God and without hope in the world. The important principle "Know 
 thyself," is, strictly speaking, equally neglected. Instead of storing 
 the retentive memory with the simple and sublime truths, which 
 would cause the young to "remember their Creator in the days of their 
 youth." God is not set before them in such studies, or at least scarce- ^. 
 ly ever, in such a way as to interest their attention or engage their af- tf 
 fections. Prone at all times naturally to love the world, their imagi- - 
 nations and affections are suffered to run out inordinately after the A 
 
vanities and allurements, which will infallibly end in the bitterest dis- 
 appointment. Secular aggrandizement is held up before their eyes as 
 the prize of excellence, and the chief and greatest good of man, di- 
 rectly in the face of the question "What shall it profit a man, if he 
 should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" If a youth, thus 
 half taught, on his entrance into life, escapes from the dangers and 
 vices which beset him on every side, it will be by sovereign grace that 
 his feet are saved from falling into death, his soul preserved from ruin! 
 The restless desire of happiness will urge him on from one scene of 
 untried worldly enjoyment to another, and all are dressed in the most 
 alluring guise, to his young imagination and weak judgment. What 
 hope can his more enlightened friends have, that his frail bark shall 
 escape shipwreck, amid the breakers of life's perilous ocean, or will 
 not be dashed to pieces against the half concealed rocks in his course, 
 or lost forever in the quicksands of the grossest vices? 
 
 Among the perils to which the youthful student is exposed during 
 his college life, may be enumerated, 1. The danger of corruption by 
 the studies of his classical course. So thoroughly convinced are we of 
 the pernicious effects of many standard classical authors not expurga- 
 ted, that we would hail their extinction with joy rather than see them stu- 
 died as they now are. It is absurd to expect that the mind will not be 
 contaminated by the foul and disgusting details of heathen mythology, 
 and by the licentious narratives and corrupt sentiments of many pro- 
 fane writers. The very process of decyphering, word by word, an 
 impure allusion of a Latin or Greek author, in order to evolve its 
 meaning, is one of the most powerful methods of impressing it on the 
 mind. Nor can any Christian instructor palliate the turpitude of such 
 passages. His explanations merely serve to gild the insidious poison 
 and give it a securer lodgment in the carnal heart. 
 
 Another peril in this crisis of life is the kind of general reading to 
 which the. student has access. The imagination and memory are now 
 the prominent faculties of the mind. They therefore select its food, 
 and like the food of the body it will produce a healthful nutriment or 
 baneful influence according as it is selected and digested. If the 
 youthful mind be disciplined by a judicious course of reading, the men- 
 tal constitution will be invigorated and receive a bias to wisdom and 
 refinement. If novels, impure poetry, trashy productions, or curious 
 and idle speculations engross the time, another liceniious coxcomb 
 will be palmed upon society. But besides these there are many books 
 easy of access which abound with the most pernicious errors; and 
 others valuable in the main, but interspersed here and there with false 
 conclusions the more insidious and dangerous on account of their con- 
 
6 
 
 Saining many useful truths. It is, hence, a thing of constant occur- 
 rence, that many graduates of a good Institution have to employ often 
 much time in unlearning errors they have insensibly imbibed during 
 their collegiate course. We therefore express it as our deliberate 
 conviction that the course of general reading from the Libraries of an 
 institution ought to be specially pointed out, and a paternal supervi- 
 sion exercised over those engaged in pursuing that course. 
 
 Again another source of peril arises fiom the influence of association 
 (for association necessarily implies influence) with corrupt and badly 
 trained youth. The immense power this circumstance exerts in mould- 
 ing the character of the young it is almost impossible to estimate. It 
 is faintly shadowed forth in the aphorism, "Tell me with whom you 
 go, and I will tell you what you do." The pleasures of friendship are. 
 the most congenial emotions, which, at this time, play around the 
 youthful heart. The selection of his friends, to a young man, will 
 then be of momentous importance. He will form an alliance with 
 young men who "think of and do whatsoever things are true, honest, 
 just, pure, lovely and of good report," and thus be rendered amiable, 
 wise and useful. Or he will choose for his friends young men of idle 
 and corrupt habits. His external conduct will be disgraced by pro-^ 
 faneness, gaming, intemperance, dissipation and bullying. While his 
 heart is the seat of guile, malice, envy, ambition, pride, lust; and 
 worse than all, infidelity enthroned in the midst, waves its baleful scep- 
 tre over the infant empire of dark passions and malignant vices. The 
 above is no fancy sketch but a faithful representation of the perils* to 
 which youth are liable at almost every public Literary institution in 
 our country. What parent does not tremble for the early moral prin- 
 ciples of his children, exposed as they must be to such great and man- 
 ifold temptations, as soon as they leave the parental roof, even with 
 the laudable design of obtaining a good education? 
 
 It may be urged by some, that their sons aie no more exposed than 
 those of others to the perils of a collegiate course at a public semina- 
 ry. It is granted — and this aggravates the danger — for there is no't 
 only action but reaction. But even conceding that their sons are bet- 
 ter than those of others as to morals, does this blot out the truths of 
 the word of God? "Ye must be born again." "Except ye repent ye 
 shall all likewise perish." "Remember now thy Creator, in the days 
 of thy youth." "Get wisdom" — "The fear of the Lord is the begin- 
 ning of wisdom?'' If these truths a^e to have their proper weight, 
 the conclusion is irresistible, that the beginning of every correct sys- 
 tem of education will be the instruction of youth in their relative re- 
 ligious duties. But we may again be met, by the inquiry, "Does it 
 
not require ordinarily the most powerful minds to comprehend those 
 relative duties? We reply, "It does not," and in proof of our position 
 adduce the Holy scriptures and experience. The plan ot salvation is 
 distinguished by great simplicity, so that "he that runs may read:" 
 and to the docility of children in early youth, the most precious prom- 
 ises are annexed. Undeniable facts also demonstrate, that the elemen- 
 tary instruction of youth in our Sabbath Schools i'i the pure, simple 
 truths of the Gospel, results in the conversion of thousands of them 
 every year. If there be any difficulty of comprehension, it arises 
 mainly from this, that the critical -period of religious instruction has 
 been overlooked or neglected, the heart has been filled with the world 
 and its maxims, and the strong man armed has usurped the throne of 
 the affections, and will not be dislodged, except by a stronger power. 
 The cardinal duties of religion "love to God and love to man," can 
 be easily understood and practised by youth. In proof of this we 
 may adduce examples in youth (of both sexes,) not yet discharged 
 from scholastic discipline, who do understand these relative duties and 
 fulfil them in a manner lovely and exemplary. It is not the want of sci- 
 entific knowledge that prevents all others from being, in like manner, 
 children of God, but the carnal opposition of their hearts, the wrong 
 bias of their wills, and the tendency of the habit of repugnance to 
 truth, to harden the heart. On the other hand, the docility of youth, 
 their amiable pliancy, their unaffected humility, the tenderness of their 
 affections, the clearness of their minds, (unclouded by violent pas- 
 sions, unaccustomed to wilful sell-deception unsophisticated by subtle 
 falsehoods, above all uncorrupted by vice and unfettered by habit,) 
 present a series of circumstances most favourable to religious suscep- 
 tibility. This is emphatically the auspicious period, and this neglect- 
 ed or lost the consequences may be inconceivably dangerous and eter- 
 nally ruinous! 
 
 We further maintain that the best interest of society call loudly for 
 such a reform in the systems of education as shall insure the more 
 thorough religious instruction of youth. Literary men always com- 
 mand the homage of the majority of their fellow citizens. If they 
 aie infidel or profligate their example must exert a pernicious influ- 
 ence on society. As to the youth themselves ignorance of the Bible, 
 or unbelief of its tenets is found invariably to be the first step in a li- 
 centious, immoral and degrading course of life. Thus we perceive 
 that without the religious education of youth, there is no well-found- 
 ed hope of their being distinguished either by purity of mind or sta- 
 bility of character. This leads us irresistibly to the conclusion that 
 the study of the plain, pure and practical truths of the Bible has beet 
 
Ixlost injudiciously overlooked or neglected, in the ordinary systems 
 of education. Truth is the grand aim of every one who aspires to 
 the possession of a well cultivated intellect. A Book then which has 
 God for its author — sublime beyond all human writings, a most authen- 
 tic history extending over a period of 4000 years — a complete rule of 
 faith and practice — and lastly the only guide to eternal salvation, ought 
 surely to be the most intensely interesting of all studies! But strange 
 as it may seem, so much, at present, is this most important branch of 
 study neglected, that it would appear that Christian parents and guar- 
 dians acted under the impression, that if the youthful mind were im- 
 bued with scientific learning, the principles of religion would in some 
 extraordinary way be superadded as a thing of course. But the Holy 
 Scriptures themselves, sustained by facts of daily occurrence, warn 
 all men that the strait gate is found by few, while thousands throng 
 each other in the broad road to destruction. Religion will never come 
 without effort. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when 
 he is old, he will not depart from it." We have no hesitation, there- 
 fore, in concluding, that the elementary principles of sound religious 
 education are the only solid foundation stone of all true greatness, last- 
 ing reputation, efficient usefulness, and real happiness in the world. 
 
 In many parts of our country the public attention has been directed 
 to the necessity of combining with the ordinary system of education, 
 r. regular course of bodily exercise. That a proper cultivation of the 
 physical powers of man by well regulated exertion is essential to their 
 full developement, none we presume will deny. That this develope- 
 ment is necessary to robust health, from the mutual sympathy and 
 dependence of mind and body, is equally true, though not so generally 
 known. Yet facts and observations multiply, daily, in support of the 
 important position, that every system of education is defective, which 
 does not include, with a practical reference, the whole range of men- 
 tal and physical discipline. The virtuous and wise only can be really 
 great or truly useful. And the healthy and vigorous only can be use- 
 ful long. A sound mind cannot exist long, in its clear and energetic 
 exercise in a delicate and enfeebled body. The very exertions of such 
 a spirit will soon shatter and destroy the earthy mould which sur- 
 rounds it. Such persons, therefore, we perceive, speedily after their 
 entrance upon the important duties of life are compelled to suspend 
 all exertion for long intervals or perhaps for life; or, with melancholy 
 self-immolation, persistin their office, and go down, declining gradual- 
 ly, throgh a routine of painful efforts, to an untimely grave. 
 
 Finally, we are actuated by another consideration if the necessity 
 of the proposed institution, which must strike the minds of all who 
 
have carefully observed the state of education in North Carolina for 
 manv years. It is a fact well known and which cannot fail to excite 
 general regret, that the present expenses at literary institutions, ex- 
 clude virtually great numbers of young men, whose moral and mental 
 qualities render them eminently worthy of patronage. Promising as 
 theii early indications of talent may be, the path to useful and lauda- 
 ble distinction is closed to hundreds of youth by the high scale of ex- 
 penses in our public schools. It is, hence, a prominent object, in 
 founding and locating such an Institution, so to diminish its expenses, 
 (Board, Tuition and other incidental expenses) as that parents may 
 secure for their children, and industrious youth attain for themselves, 
 at a moderate expense, all the advantages of a sound, thorough, prac- 
 tical education. 
 
 The extensive moral influence of schools established on the plan 
 contemplated, would be incalculably beneficial. They would power- 
 fully affect the interests of the rising generation, the civil and domes- 
 tic relations of life, the state of the church and the world. What might 
 not our country have a right to expect from her young men, returned 
 to the bosoms of their parents and friends, thus thoroughly educated 
 in virtue and knowledge? What a field of usefulness and true glory 
 would be opened to these vigorous and intelligent youth, for dissem- 
 inating sound learning and good examples'? How eminently blest 
 would be that state which could number many such men in her com- 
 monwealth? 
 
 The Presbytery of Orange having at its late session passed a reso- 
 lution to establish an institution, (which shall be conformed to the 
 principles contained in this address.) and determined its location at or 
 near the town of Greenshorough, Guilford county, N. C. appoint- 
 ed the undersigned a Board of Agency, to promote, as far as practica- 
 ble, this desirable object. The Board met and after mature delibera- 
 tion, suggest the following outlines* of a plan of such an Institution, 
 as to them appears to accord with the views of Presbytery, which they 
 proceed forthwith respectfully to lay before that body and the public. 
 
 1st. The BIBLE, with the evidences of Christianity, shall form an 
 indispensable part of the system of instruction, in this Institution. 
 
 2d. That provision shall he made for the regular performance of 
 pastoral duties and devotional exercises, as well as for a diligent at- 
 tention to the morals of the pupils under the care of the Institution. 
 
 3d. That none other than expurgated editions of the Class-cs shall 
 be studied; and a parental supervision shall be exercised in regard to 
 the books for the general reading of the students. 
 
 The details of the above plan Trill be hereafter presented to the public. 
 
10 
 
 4th. That a manual labour department* shall be attached to the 
 Institution on principles of convenience and utility, as shall accord with 
 the views of Presbytery and those of an enlightened public. 
 
 5th. That the expenses for Board, Tuition, and other contingent fees 
 shall be so reduced, as to place the attainment of a good education 
 within the reach of young men of moderate circumstances. 
 
 Inclosing this address to the public, we conceive that justice to othr 
 ers, as well as ourselves, requires the explicit avowal, that the general 
 strictures we have hazarded on the existing modes of instructing 
 youth, were, we believed, imperiously demanded by the wants of the 
 age. These strictures are aimed at systems of education, not at any man 
 or set of men. Of their truth and justness, an enlightened christian pub- 
 lic must decide. We frankly admit that perfection is not to be expec- 
 ted in any human institution. But that the present state of our litera- 
 ry Institutions is radically and essentially bad, we are thoroughly con- 
 vinced. Some of their defects we have alluded to, but there are oth- 
 ers the insertion of which would be precluded by the limits of this ad- 
 dress. We appeal to the enlightened candour and experience of every 
 christian and patriot, as to the truth and importance of the views we 
 have presented, and the highly beneficial results, which may be expec- 
 ted to follow the adoption of the system we have respectfully sugges- 
 ted. Relying on the assistance of God, and conscious of the purity 
 of our motives, we cheerfully submit fhe model of this great enter- 
 prise to the liberality and piety of a discerning public, and earnestly 
 solicit their aid and co-operation. 
 
 Signed, SAML. L. GRAHAM, 
 
 ALEX. WILSON, 
 DANIEL L. RUSSELL, 
 WILLIAM NEIL, 
 E. W. CARUTHERS, 
 WM. A. SHAW. 
 
 *We think it important to observe that it is not the design of the Presbytery to sus- 
 pend the existence of the proposed Institution on the failure or success of the manual 
 labour department. This department is intended merely as an appendage to the Insti- 
 tution, which may be either continued or dispensed with, as experience shall decide. 
 Nor will its operation materially affect the accomplishment of any of the objects specified 
 in this address. 
 
 o?asraa a 
 
THE HARBINGER, 
 
 A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER, 
 
 Devoted to Literature, Education, Internal Improvement 
 and News— is published at Chapel Hill, N. C. 
 
 BY ISAAC C. PATRIDGE : 
 
 [ Under the supervision of the Professors of the University.] 
 
 Terms— Three Dollars per annum, payable yearly in 
 advance, or Four Dollars if payment be delayed six 
 months thereafter. — Advertisements (which are limited 
 to four columns,) inserted at the customary rates. 
 
 All letters should be directed to the publisher. 
 
 THE SUBSCU1BEM 
 
 Having prepared himself with a great variety of 
 
 PLAIN, 
 
 &TM1 
 
 TYPE.- 
 
 . op 
 Various Sizes, 
 
 ANTIQUE. 
 
 HEAVY FACE, 
 
 SSIaCfc— and 
 
 Will execute at the shortest notice, 
 
 Books, Pamphlets, Handbills, Blanks, 
 Cards and Labels, 
 
 Of every description, in the neatest manner — Also, a 
 large and fashionable collection of 
 
 Together with a new and handsome collection of 
 
 BORDERS AND FLOWERS. 
 October, 1833. • I. C. PATRIDGE. 
 
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UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 III 
 
 00025342843 
 
 FOR USE ONLY IN 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION 
 
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 Form No. A-368, Rev. 8/95