Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-10-28

that II God should spare any of us. who
are now in middle life, to old aoe we
shall see such a complete reform Of the
views OF parents in regard 10 the impor-
lance OF education, such an improvement
In the books used, and the modes of in
structlon adopted in our common schools
as well as in the skill of the teachers az
shall make the whole system inconceiva-
bly, more practical and efficacious than il
now is.
SELECTING PLACES FOR CB1LDREN
How often do we hear parents use Ian
guage not unlike this l am going to
place my child with such person. in this
or In that, situation. I do not altogether
like the place. His employer is not a
man of principle and fear he will not
have correct sentiments instilled into his
mind that he will not always hear the
most decorous language, or have exhibited
before him the fairest examples of virtue :.
but the situation is very advantageous
one my child's master is skilled in his
art, and is thorough man of business
and more than all, he makes him the fair
est offers, and will probably be the means
of setting him up in the world. The sit
uation is therefore chosen, and the child.
at highly susceptible age, is consigned
over to the most pernicious moral inf1u-
ences, with perhaps solemn charge not
to suffer his mind to be affected by them.
This is not fancy, but melancholy fact.
Conduct strongly resembling this is not
unfrequently exhibited and however con-
sistent it may be with kindness of heart.
the wisdom it eyinces resembles nothing
so much as that of parent who should
precipitate his child into the crater of a
volcanoe, charging him at the same time
to guard himself against the assaults of the
fiery waves that rolled below.
My friends, you give your children good
moral and religious instruction. You do
we'll shew them both when you are i'm
parting it, and subsequently-shew them
by all that you do, and say, that you be-
lieue what you teach-that you mean to
act according to the elevated principles
which you inculcate.
INFLUENCE OF BAD COMPANIONS. An
other unhappy cause of failure in moral
education, too common to be passed over
in silence, is the influence of bad compou-
ions. l here refer to the companions Of
childhood. Through their unhappy agen-
cy, your best instructions and most assidu-
QUO oHorte naay DO ontiI0ly dofcuSo~l.-
Guard your dear child then, to every prac-
ticable extent, against such pernicious in
f1uences. He needs but few associates
out of your own family-choose those for
him and if you cannot make him wor-
thy of such as are good, it were better
that he should have none. No parent
ought ever to be ignorant where, and acith
'ohom, his child spends his hours of re-
creation, unless he wishes to educate him
for perdition. 1t is task enough to train
up child in the way to life, without hav-
ing him often encompassed with a throng,
whose example and entire influence is
calculated to entice him from duty, and
hurry him down the broad road to de-
struction. Strive to make home pleasant
to your children. Do not needlessly in
terrupt or discourage their innocent amuse-
ments; but strive to rise their minds
above undue attachment to them, by ex-
citing taste for books, and furnishing
them with such as are most interesting
and instructive, and wisely adapted to
their age and attainments. No person
can imagine how much may be done in
this way, till he has made thorough trial.
The difference in effect, upon the mind
and heart, between spending an evening
in perusing an entertaining book, and
spending it with childish, not to say wick
ed associates, in folly, and in vain, perhaps
corrupting conversation, is unspeakably
great.
CRETIAN HEROINE