ge, and that Gibbon's "Decline and Fall" was to be
used, doubtless no little excitement was roused; and hence the notice.
Before this time doubts concerning many cherished doctrines had been
openly expressed in Boston, Cambridge, Salem, and other places; but
Gibbon had rejected and attacked the whole Christian system as false,
which was a very different matter.
_For the CENTINEL._
MR. RUSSELL,
A WRITER in the CENTINEL of the last _Saturday_, under the
signature of _Christianus_, says, "that an abridgment of
GIBBON'S history (if his information be true) is directed
to make a part of the studies of the young gentlemen at our
University." I now beg leave, through the channel of your
paper, to acquaint that writer, as also the publick, that
his information is _not true_. The system taught is MILLOT'S
_Elements_ of _General History, ancient and modern_, and
GIBBON'S history was never thought of for the purpose.
JOSEPH WILLARD, _President._
_Cambridge, Nov._ 14, 1791.
* * * * *
THE CHOLERA.--It is worthy of remark that the word occurs in
two passages of the Bible, both in Ecclesiasticus, and both
places in connexion with directions and exhortations to a
sober temperate mode of living, which is still recommended
as the best preservative against this disorder.
_Salem Observer,_ 1832.
* * * * *
The character of Boston ladies in 1788 is set forth in a letter in the
"Herald of Freedom." The writer gives his observations on the error of
committing children too much to the care of nurses; also makes reference
to teaching the catechism, etc., showing the value of early religious
training. There can be no doubt, we think, that the old methods were in
some respects superior to the present, where in many cases young
children are left to Sunday-school teachers, or, as is often the case,
receive no religious instruction whatever, for fear, as we have often
heard it stated, that they might imbibe some false doctrinal notions at
an age when the deepest impressions are made.
* * * * *
_For the_ HERALD _of_ FREEDOM.
LETTER IX.
DEAR PIERRE,
No moments glide away more agreeably than those that are
employ
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