It is the most binding of ties, and yet is often disregarded by the thoughtless and inconsiderate. Parents are far oftener remiss in their duty to their children, than they think. It may seem an unwarranted assertion, but parents whose means are ample, and opportunities large, are sadly neglectful of them in many cases. The parent who neglects the early training of a child, who allows it to grow up as a weed, its moral faculties suffered to lie untrained, and its mental capacities left undeveloped, does that child a wrong that no mere care and ample provision for the creature comforts can ever atone for.
Every child has a right to an education.
Education does not alone mean the schooling of the intellect. Many parents honestly believe, when they have provided the necessities of life with a liberal hand, and placed no barrier to the indulgence in all proper pleasures, that they have fulfilled their duty, and are entitled to credit. The first lesson a child should be taught, is filial respect, and a deferent yielding of its own wishes to those of its parents. This does not imply a slavish submission, or a crushing out of individuality. It means that the tie between parent and child should be so strong, and the confidence so great, that there would be no chance for the clashing of will.