SECTION II.

ADVANTAGES OF KNOWLEDGE.

A comparison of the means of happiness between a

literate and illiterate people-Knowledge, by showing

the true principles and nature of things, will prevent

those evils which originate in ignorance-The founda-

tion of science-The favourable employment of the en-

lightened farmer-The ability of the intelligent practical

man-Knowledge makes men more skilful in the arts-

The advantage which the intelligent agriculturist has

over his less informed neighbour-The necessity of a

good education, that men may be profited by public in-

struction-The reason of so much indifference to useful

knowledge-The instructions of the public-Knowledge

would qualify men for judging correctly of human char-

acter and human happiness-The advantages of know-

ledge is seen by making a judicious selection of books——

The enlightened man has the advantage of knowing

what is transacting in the world-Knowledge would

cause all, after an honest examination, to see the evi-

dence of revealed religion-Knowledge assists us in

forming more enlarged and correct conceptions of the

Deity--Knowledge is necessary, likewise, that we may

know in what true happiness consists,

SECTION III.

276

THE NECESSITY OF GENERAL INTELLIGENCE IN A FREE

GOVERNMENT.

In a free government, the people should be intelligent

enough to make their laws, and virtuous enough to obey

them--Each individual's intelligence and virtue are the

depository and defence of his liberty--Knowledge stands

in the place of armies, revenues, and a throne--Know-

ledge is necessary to perceive the nature and value of

literary and civil institutions-To know when justice is

administered-Knowledge is necessary, for the people in

the inferior courts are the judicial part of the govern-

ment--Knowledge is necessary, that the people may see

the effect of crime and the justice of punishment-To

distinguish between the particular and general effect of

crime-The mischiefs of perjury and stealing consid-

ered, for illustration--Knowledge is necessary,
that men

who govern themselves may see the agreement between

civil and revealed law-To see the necessity of obeying

the laws-To enable men to regulate their wants and

claims to the wants and claims of others- Knowledge

is necessary that all may see the wants of society for

professional men-Knowledge is required that men may

not be deceived by the errors of the press-And lastly,

knowledge is necessary that all may know who are the

enlightened and conscientious friends and supporters of

their free institutions, .
290

SECTION IV.

DUTIES WHICH WE OWE TO EACH OTHER.

Society natural to man—Advantages of society-Some

of the laws which the Creator has given man in society

-The duties of justice-We should be just towards the

property of others-We should not interfere with the

freedom of others' actions--Justice makes us respect the

character and reputation of others--Justice requires us

to exercise fairness in forming our opinions of others--

Justice is to be exercised in judging of the statements

of others--Justice enjoins us to respect the feelings and

affections of others - Justice demands that we should be

impartial in estimating the talents of others--And jus-

tice demands that we should not injure the moral prin-

ciples of others--The duty of veracity-It should make

men faithful and critical in ascertaining facts-Scrupu-

lous in stating them--And faithful in the fulfilment of

promises--Benevolence, or the duties which consist in

doing good--We should administer to each other's ne-

cessities--Our benevolence should be eager to relieve

personal suffering-It is our duty to attend to the edu-

cation of others-It is our duty to make men moral--

Benevolence disposes us to be agreeable to our fellow-

men-And lastly, in all our intercourse with men, we

should endeavour to make peace, .

SECTION V.

PATRIOTIC DUTIES TO OUR COUNTRY.

302

Nature has laid a foundation for distinct communities
—The influence of Knowledge and Reason-The love
of our country natural and a duty--Our first patriotic
duty is the duty of obedience--That considered which
gives moral and legal authority--An objection to Black-
stone's definition of Law--The source of the laws in
the United States-The origin of our Government—It is
a duty to respect those who are elected to civil offices
-The third duty mentioned is, we should defend the

Laws and Constitution of our country--We should not

only obey, respect, and defend our country, but, in the

fourth place, we should increase the means of public

happiness in the nation--The citizen is to improve the

laws--Caution in making innovation--The reason why

men are apt to make changes under the name of reform

-We may augment the happiness of our country by in-

creasing its products--By opening new markets for its

products--By facilitating the intercourse between dis-

tricts-By the establishment of institutions of charity

and instruction-By being able and disposed to correct

the errors which exist in the system of Government-

By adapting the form of Government to the condition

and character of the People--And lastly, by making our-

selves virtuous and intelligent, .

. 320

DISTRICT SCHOOL.

SECTION I.

DUTY OF PARENTS IN EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN.

In

THERE has been much said and written on the duties of parents; and it is well that this subject has been so frequently and ably discussed, for there is no other of greater importance. what will now be said, there may be nothing new; and I shall feel satisfied in bringing to notice some of the duties which many have frequently felt and performed. Many of the duties of parents, respecting their children's education, have heretofore been treated in too general a manner. We need not only to be reminded of our duties, but to be reminded in such a manner that we shall see and feel them, and be assisted in doing them, Parents who educate their children in the district school have many duties peculiar to themselves; and they are such as have not been sufficiently enforced by former writers on this subject. It is my design to notice these more particularly, and to suit my remarks to those parents who have the

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