ambitious; why, indeed, may not ministers of the Gospel lead classes of their congregations in this intellectual effort? There is certainly nothing unholy in it; there is surely much that may lead to and foster piety in it; much that would have the sanction of Scripture. Indeed, is not the religion of Christ to he the great regenerating agent in all mental, as well as all spiritual things? Is not the church to take the lead in all things that are to elevate and dignify man? In any event, and by all means, do not let us go on in the dull, unthinking way we are now treading; and leave the minds of children and youth, in our families, unblessed by that pure speech and strong Anglo-Saxon thought, which come with the most impressive force, from the graceful mind, and the tender voice of cultivated womanhood.[1] (3) But the master need in Liberia is that of a female seminary, of a high order, for the education of Girls. Already our wives and daughters are in the rear of ourselves and sons, in training and culture; humble as we all are, in this country, in acquirements, yet there is a class of men in Liberia who are fully fifty years in advance
- ↑ I cannot resist the temptation to add here another fine extract from the learned English journal before quoted. "It is a most happy and beautiful provision that children should imbibe their native language primarily and mainly from their mothers, should suck it in, as it were, along with their milk; this it is that makes it their mother tongue. For women are much more duteous recipients of the laws of nature and society; they are much less liable to be deluded by fantastical theories; and it is an old and very true remark, that in order to feel all the beauty and purity of any language, we must hear it from the lips * * * * * of a sensible, well-educated woman."—[Rev.] J. C. Hare, Philological Museum, vol. i., 644.
