INTRODUCTION. 



With regard to th-s internal causes of the ig 

 norance which so generally prevails, they will 

 be found in the general depravity of human na 

 ture ^ in the vicious propensities so prevalent 

 among all ranks ; in the indulgence of inordi 

 nate desires after riches and power ; and in the 

 general disposition of mankind to place their 

 chief happiness in sensual gratifications, evils 

 which the spirit of Christianity only, in con 

 junction with every rational exertion, is calcu 

 lated fully to eradicate. And therefore it is in 

 dispensable, that every attempt to diffuse intel 

 lectual light over the human race be accompa 

 nied with the most strenuous exertions to pro 

 mote the moral renovation of mankind. For 

 vice and ignorance, especially among the lower 

 orders, generally go hand in hand ; and experi 

 ence demonstrates, that indulgence in evil pas 

 sions, and in unhallowed gratifications, destroys 

 the relish for mental enjoyments, and is one of 

 the most powerful obstructions to the vigorous 

 exercise of the intellectual powers. 



That the general diffusion of knowledge 

 among all ranks is an object much to be desired, 

 will not, I presume, be called in question by any 

 one who regards the intellectual powers of man 

 as the noblest part of his nature, and who con- 

 eiders, that on the rational exercise of these 

 powers his true happiness depends. If ignorance 

 be one of the chief causes which disturb the 

 harmonious movements of the machine of so 

 ciety, by removing the cause we of course pre 

 vent the effects ; and if knowledge be one of the 

 mainsprings of virtuous conduct, the more it is 

 diffused, the more extensively will be brought 

 into action, on the stage of life, those virtues 

 which it has a tendency to produce. A few 

 Ferdinands and Wyndhams and Don Miguels 

 may still remain, who regard the great mass of 

 the people merely as subjects of legislation, or 

 as the tools of tyranny and ambition, and that, 

 therefore, they must be held in the chains of ig 

 norance, lest they should aspire to the ranks of 

 their superiors. But the general current of 

 public opinion now runs counter to such illiberal 

 and antiquated notions ; and few persons of re 

 spectability, at least in this country, would ha 

 zard their reputation in defending a position so 

 degrading and untenable. The more learning a 

 people have, the more virtuous, powerful, and 

 happy will they become ; and to ignorance aloie 

 must the contrary effects be imputed. &quot; There 

 is but one case,&quot; says a French writer, &quot;where 

 ignorance can be desirable ; and that is, when 

 all is desperate in a state, and when, through 

 the present evils, others still greater appear be- 



duals, distinguished for learning and piety, have 

 been connected with the Romish church ; and while 

 he condemns the spirit and tendency of the peculiar 

 dogmas and practices of that church, he deprecates 

 every idea of persecution, and every attempt to 

 deprive its members of those rights and privileges 

 V&amp;gt; which they are entitled as men and as citizens. 

 2 



hind. Then stupidity is a blessing : knowledge 

 and foresight are evils. It is then that, shut 

 ting our eyes against the light, we would hid* 

 from ourselves the calamities we cannot pre 

 vent.&quot; In every other case, knowledge must 

 prove an inestimable blessing to men of every 

 nation and of every rank. 



That the period when a general diffusion of 

 knowledge shall take place is hastening on, ap 

 pears from the rapid progress which has been 

 made in almost every department of science 

 during the last half century; from the numerous 

 publications on all subjects daily issuing from 

 the press ; from the rapid increase of theolo 

 gical, literary, and scientific journals, and the 

 extensive patronage they enjoy from the nume 

 rous lectures on chymistry, astronomy, experi 

 mental philosophy, political economy, and ge 

 neral science, now delivered in the principal 

 cities and towns of Europe ; from the adoption 

 of new and improved plans of public instruc 

 tion, and the erection of new seminaries of 

 education in almost every quarter of the civi 

 lized world ; from the extensive circulation of 

 books among all classes of the community ; 

 from the rapid formation of bible and mission 

 ary societies ; from the increase of literary and 

 philosophical associations ; from the establish 

 ment of mechanics institutions in our principal 

 towns, and of libraries and reading societies in 

 almost every village ; from the eager desire now 

 excited, even among the lower orders of society, 

 of becoming acquainted with subjects hitherto 

 known and cultivated only by persons of the 

 learned professions ; and, above all, from the 

 spirit of civil and religious liberty now bursting 

 forth, both in the eastern and the western he 

 mispheres, notwithstanding the efforts of petty 

 tyrants to arrest its progress. Amidst the con 

 vulsions which have lately shaken the surround 

 ing nations, &quot; many have run to and fro, and 

 knowledge has been increased ;&quot; the sparks of 

 liberty have been struck from the collision of 

 hostile armies and opposing interests : and a 

 spirit of inquiry has been excited among nu 

 merous tribes of mankind, which will doubtless- 

 lead to the most important results. These cir 

 cumstances, notwithstanding some gloomy ap 

 pearances in the political horizon, may be con 

 sidered as so many preludes of a new and hap 

 pier era about to dawn upon the world ; when 

 intellectual light shall be diffused among all 

 ranks, and in every region of the globe ; when 

 Peace shall extend her empire over the world . 

 when men of all nations, at present separated 

 from each other by the effects of ignorance, and 

 of political jealousies, shall be united by the 

 bonds of love, of reason, and intelligence, and 

 conduct themselves as rational and immortal 

 beings. 



In order that such a period may be gradually 

 ushered in, it ia essentially requisite that a co 



