No sagacity can foretell what characters shall be developed, or what parts performed, by these boys and girls who throng our streets, and sport in our fields.  In their tender breasts are concealed the germs, in their little hands are lodged the weapons, of a nation’s overthrow or glory.  Would it not, then, be madness, would it not be a sort of political suicide, for the commonwealth to be unconcerned what direction their infant powers shall take, or into what habits their budding affections shall ripen? or will it be disputed that the civil authority has a right to take care, by a paternal interference on behalf of the children, that the next generation shall not prostrate in an hour, whatever has been consecrated to truth, to virtue, and to happiness by the generations that are past?

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=_Timothy Dwight, 1752-1817._= (Manual, pp. 479, 504.)

From “Travels in New England,” &c.

=_20._= THE WILDERNESS RECLAIMED.

In these countries lands are universally held in fee simple.  Every farmer, with too few exceptions to deserve notice, labors on his own ground, and for the benefit of himself and his family merely.  This, also, if I am not deceived, is a novelty; and its influence is seen to be remarkably happy in the industry, sobriety, cheerfulness, personal independence, and universal prosperity of the people at large....  A succession of New England villages, composed of neat houses, surrounding neat schoolhouses and churches, adorned with gardens, meadows, and orchards, and exhibiting the universal easy circumstances of the inhabitants, is, at least in my own opinion, one of the most delightful prospects which this world can afford.

The conversion of a wilderness into a desirable residence for man, is an object which no intelligent spectator can behold, without being strongly interested in such a combination of enterprise, patience, and perseverance.  Few of those human efforts which have excited the applause of mankind, have demanded equal energy, or merited equal approbation.  A forest changed within a short period into fruitful fields covered with houses, schools, and churches, and filled with inhabitants possessing not only the necessaries and comforts, but also the conveniences of life, and devoted to the worship of Jehovah, when seen only in prophetic vision, enraptured the mind even of Isaiah; and when realized, can hardly fail to delight that of a spectator.  At least, it may compensate the want of ancient castles, ruined abbeys, and fine pictures.

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From the Theology.

=_21._= THE GLORY OF NATURE, FROM GOD.