Litchfield enquirer., 1833-09-05
FOm 5OSk entitled, |" Th. Motner at Hom,."

| unaware ot9he evil consequences which re- suit from this common practice. A physi- clan once called to extract a tooth from a child. The little boy seeing the fortnida- ble instruments, and anticipating the pain; was exceedingly frightened, and refused to open his maulh. After much fruiiless so- Iicitation, the physician said, " Perhaps there is no need of drawing it. Let me rub it little with my handkerchief; and it may hG ail that is necessary it will not hurt you in tho least.'' The boy, trusting his word, opened his mouth. The physician, concealing his instrument in his hatidker- chief, seized hold of the tooth and wrench led tsout. The parents highly applauded liis,artiGce. But the man cheated the child. 1 He Abnsed bis confidence. And he inAic- ted m injury upon his moral feelings, not soon to De etfaced. Win that physician get ifis handkerchief into the mouth of the child agaasg Will he believe what the pbysicianamay hereafter say? And when told that it is wicked to say that which is not tsFue, will not the remembrance of the doctors falsehood be fresh in his mind!-- Andswhile conscious that his parents ap- proved of the deception, will he not feel it to be right for him to deceive, that he may accomplish his desires? This practice is attended with the most ruinous consequent ces. It unavoidably teaches the child to despise his parents. After he has detec- ted them in one falsehood, he will not be- lieve them when they speak the truth. 1t destroys his tenderness of conscience.-4 And it teaches arts of deception. And what are the advantages Why, in one particular instances the point is gained.
 Let compnlsion be resorted to when ne- cessary, but deception never. If a child cannot place implicit confidence in his pa- rents, most assuredly no confidence eau be reposed in the child. Is it possible for mother to practice arts of deception and l falsehood, and at the same time her daagh- ter be forming character offrankhess and truth2 Who can for moment suppose it We must be what we wish our children to be. They will form their character from ours. ...t, l .. A mother was once trying to persuade her little son to take some medicine. 1t was very unpalatable, and she, to induce He did not believe her. He knew by sad experience that her word was not to be trusted. A gentleman and friend who was tneaspsfs tvok sha snnan and said
 I !" James, this is medicine, and t taetee very badly. I should not like to take it, but I would if necessary. You have courage enough to swallow something which does not taste good, have you not?"
 "Yes," said James, looking little less sHIkey. But that is very bad indeed .'''
 "I know it," said the gentleman, '" presume you never tasted any thing much worse." Tie gentleman then tasted of the medicine himself. and said, {" It is real ly very unpleasant. But now let us see if you have not resolution enough to take it, bad as it is." r
 The boy hesitatingly took the spoon.- It is, really, rather bad" said the gentle- man, 'sbut the best way is to sumiaon all your resolution, and down with it at once, like man.'' ......,,... .-,, ,.a..,-,... l James made, in reality, great effort for Ia child, and swallowed the dose. And who will this child most respect, his deceit- ful mother, or the honest dealing stranger And who will he hereafter most readily be- lieve? It ought, however, to Dc remarked. that had the child been properly governed, he would at once, and without Q nurmur. have taken what his mother presented. !, is certainly, however, a supposable case, that the child might. after all the arguments of the gentleman, still have refused to do his duty. What course, then, should be pursued 2 Resort to compulsion, but never to deceit. We cannot deceive our chil- dren without seriously injuring them, and destroying our own influence. Frank and open dealing is the only safe policy in fam- fly government, as well as on the wider the atre of life. The underlland art and cun- ping maneuvres of tho iniriguer, are sure in fhe end to promote his overthrow. Be sincere aud honest, and you are safe. The only sure way of securing beneficial results, is by virtuous and honorable means.
 Loan to q HighUaymGn.-A Quaker was stopped between Brenlford and Lon- don by highwayman, whe demanded his money. The quaker answered, Well. friend, if thou art in want of money l will lend thee some." The same demand and answer were repeated several times, till the highwayman became impatient. and the fduaker reluctantly gave up all his cash. which was very considerable. The high fwayman then pereeiying the quaker to have a better horse than his own insisted on hls [av.h.rn:n0 Tha Onak or ans severed We'll.