Rush argued successfully that the purpose of true education was not to make
scholars, but rather men, citizens and Christians. He declared that all
educational systems should establish principled virtues of character first, and
academic ability second.
“A Christian cannot fail of being useful to the Republic, for his Religion
teacheth him, that “no man liveth unto himself...For every precept of the
Gospel inculcates those degrees of humility, self-denial, and brotherly kindness
which are directly opposed to the pride of the pageantry of the monarchy and the
pageantry of a court.”
Benjamin Rush also stressed the individual duty of every citizen to the
Creator, the God of the Bible. His focus was upon their moral obligation to God
and righteousness. In his writings, Doctor Rush set forth a series of Biblical
rules and statues that were meant to ensure that the Scriptures would be used as
the Source-Book of all proper and profitable education in every school system.
Sadly, today Doctor Rush would not even be allowed in the government schools
with his Bible, let alone his system of rules promoting its worth to the
education process!
THE BIBLE AS THE ONLY SCHOOL BOOK
In his 1791 letter to the Reverend Jeremy Belknap of Boston, Dr. Rush
expounded his reasons and arguments for the Bible as the Source Book for public
schools. He begins his argument by assuming five principle propositions.
I. That Christianity is the only True and Perfect Religion, and that in
proportion, as mankind adopt its principles, and obey its precepts, they will be
wise and happy.
II. That a better knowledge of this Religion is to be acquired by reading the
Bible, than by any other way.
III. That the Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present
state than any other book in the world.
IV. That knowledge is most durable, and Religious instruction most useful,
when imparted in early life.
V. That the Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent
period of life.