Orations in Early American Christianity: The Importance of Christian Education for Children in the Republic
George Washington Bethune's annual sermon, "The Relation of the Sunday-school System to our Christian Patriotism", given on behalf of the American Sunday-School Union and delivered in Philadelphia on May 16th, 1847, opens with an excerpt from Ecclesiastes. "Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king." [1] Here, Bethune argues that the child is innately wise compared to that of the king who has been regressed by age and his own obstinance, thus it is better to be educated in principles befitting a strong foundation than fall to haughty pride. Bethune’s sermon relies heavily on bible verse and staunch Christian principle as he argues in favor of faith and trust in the divine. According to the gospel of Mark, as referenced in Bethune’s sermon, the task of Christians is to bear witness to the truth, which is understood as being eternal life with God. The second task, Bethune argues, is the task of training children. Returning to that initial quo...