An attention to the scholastic and religious instruc tion of the rising generation is among the indispensable duties of a pious nation. The monies expended in print ing and purchasing books necessary to such instruction, have greatly increased, are at this time very considerable, and seem every year to become more extensive. Simi lar observations may be correctly made on the importa tion of books for the same purpose. Every male youth is taught some occupation, trade, calling, or profession ; for it is held that independence is highly favourable, if not absolutely necessary to virtue. So deep arc the im pressions made by this reflection, that it has given rise to the desire of bestowing some such education in a trade, occupation, calling, or profession, on all the young fe males. To them, it is plain, that reputable means of subsistence arc still more necessary to the preservation of their many and their precious virtues. Steady ef forts to effect such ameliorations, resulting in ultimate success, will be accepted at every human tribunal, as evidences of a religious character. Heaven itself, as we humbly trust, will survey with favour and approbation the generous heart, guided by the intelligent and vigo rous mind, in its virtuous endeavours to secure the per manent good of the rising generation.
The sincerity and genuine goodness of the religion of the Americans, is proved by the enumerated evidences of their humanity ; by the erection of churches, more than in any other country by means of voluntary cont•i butions; by the founding of hospitals, and other charita ble institutions, before they have established galleries of the fine arts ; by the indulgem.< , tvhten they cx:end to every emigration from foreign countries of persons, who endeavoured to exempt religion from disgrace aml injury in the character of sober reformers, while the churches attempted to be reformed are kindly indulged with an equal tenderness. There are some things in all these churches, which belong to the true religion. In these things they all unite and accord. By these things they secure to themselves the merit, and to our country a considerable share of reputation for true religion. In lieu of persecution, good-will arises among men ; and, in lieu of the sword of human power, the peace of I I ca yen in the church upon earth.
This part of our enquiry is delicate in the extreme ; for we ought ever to look with the most guarded eye, towards the dangers of hypocrisy, of self-righteousness, and of spiritual pride. It is therefore from the fruits of the tree, exhibited in their religious, civil, benevolent and didactic institutions, that it has been thought best to deduce the character of the United Americans upon the subject of true neighbourhood to man, and humble reve rential love to the Supreme Being.
The inhabitants of this country have declined ostenta tion in all matters of the church, and of the state. They have, perhaps more than any other people, spiritualizcd religion. The instrumental parts in the divine worship among them, are few ancl simple. Their estimation does not increase. It is not believed, that sacrifices and offerings of material objects can be of any value, in the sight of the all-perfect spiritual creator and pre server of the universe. 'The conceptions of the Ameri
cans, concerning the attributes of the divine nature, are of course imperfect from the limited powers of the hu man mind. But it is not believed easy to find any nation, whose ideas, on this profound and sublime subject, are further removed from the grossness of idolatry, and the weakness of superstition. The coercive dogmas of civil governments, differing often as much from religious truth, as from one another, arc not necessarily to be sup posed to comprehend the standard of the divine attri butes. The original design may seem no inconsider able presumption, in fallible and short-sighted man. To continue their operation in this happy country, where the freedom and elasticity of the human mind, conse quent on the various reformations in ecclesiastical af fairs, is remarkably conspicuous, would be to partake deeply in the error.—Instead therefore of the heathen mythology, which wrapt the Roman people, as in a dark cloud even in the Augustan age ; instead of the religious dreams, which filled Europe, in the fifteenth century ; and instead of the attributes ascribed to hea ven, by discordant governments and councils, it is be lieved to belong to the power of God in the soul of man, to instruct him in the nature of the Being, we were created to serve.
high independent personal spirit and resolution are conceived to be characteristics of the United Americans.
Natural causes for this trait of character arc found in our vicinity to the dangers of the ocean, in the origi nal wildness of our country, in the magnitude and num bers of our bays and our rivers, in the tonic charactert of our climate,and in our bright sunshine, which favours the erectness of the mind. The effect of the climate and other natural causes, is, perhaps, proved by the wonder ful size ()I the native Mammoth, and the warlike temper of thr red Indigenes.
But the moral causes of our national character are more numerous and influential. The early American settlers were like a nation of Cru.s.ocs, who, having left their native homes in search of religious and civil free dom, and of advancement in life, were cast by Divine Providence on a hous;less country, and had every thing to do for their own defence, comfort, and prosperity. Energy is life: The want of it is pining death, in such a. situation. The first settlers and several classes of successive emigrants from Europe were highly excited in mind, and toned in fibre by the incessant duties of this real condition of their lives and bodies. When success ful exertion has raised the spirits, and invigorated the frame of man, courage and firmness arc increased. When reflection, ingenuity, perseverance, and other operations of the mind have occasioned, accompanied, directed, and approved our bodily exertions, a higher spirit is produced. The children of the earlier settlers were born and educated under such parents, and in like circumstances. The long series of emigrants from Europe came by degrees among such a people. The contiguous and adjacent forests presented to both, du ties similar, though less formidable and rigorous; but enough perhaps to produce the potent body and the de termined spirit.