The Press

The art of printing is perhaps the mightiest instrumentality ever contrived by man for the exertion of moral influence. The Rev. Dr. Adams, in his late address at Yale College, remarked: - In the city of Strasburg, on the eastern frontier of France, there stands, in the principal square, a large bronze statue of Guttenburg, the inventor of the art of printing with movable types. It is a full length figure of that fortunate individual, with a printing press at his side, and an open scroll in his hand, with this inscription - And there was light. Upon the several sides of the high pedestal on which the effigy stands, are four tableaux in base-relief, designed to represent the effect of the art of printing on the general progress of the world. In one stand the names of the most distinguished scholars, philosophers, and poets of all times; in other the names of those who have been most eminent for their achievements in the cause of human freedom; conspicuous among which is an allusion to our Declaration of Independence, with the names of Washington, Franklin, Hancock and Adams. On the third wise, is a representation of philanthropy knocking off the fetters of the slave, and instructing the tawny children of oppression in useful knowledge; on the fourth is Christianity, surrounded by the representatives of all nations, and tribes, and people receiving from her hand, in their own tongue, the words of eternal truth. Christianity! Heaven born Christianity! Divine philosophy! Look down with indifference or disdain on that bearded man at work with tools in his smutty shop, away on the Rhine. Affect to overlook and undervalue him as a mechanic! A mechanic! why, out of those bars of wood, and pounds of metal, and ounces of ink, his is constructing a machine to make the nations think. He is constructing wings for Christianity herself, which shall bear her, with the music of her silver trumpet, to all abodes of men.