Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-10-12
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER II, 1885.

ded less money! Onthe contrary, it will
be often found that they have done more
in each of these ways than some whose
children almost worship them. Is not
this quite unaccountable? Not at all
Look around you in the world suppose
yourself for a moment without friend !;
in this attitude you commence the work of
choosing all your friends anew. Suppose
lall favorably disposed towards you
Would the most wealthy, the most hon.
orable, the most Iaborious spirits inevita-
bly, secure your warmest love2 We may
refer you for the calculation of our senti-
ments to the chapter on friends in the
" Young Christian and particularly to
the story of the sailor boy, (p. 33) as an
opposite illustration But" say some
parents "ny children have had too many
substantial proofs of my affection to doubt
my love. And though do not sympa-
thize with them in the paltry concerns
which occupy so much Of their attention,
they ought to love me. But Oh! my
heart is panied to perceive want of flial
affection and confidence in me-" How do
you know that there is any want of flial
affection and confdencein you! Do they
not obey your commands Are they not
governed by the principles you have in
stilled into their minds Do they not
speak respectfully of you to the world ?
why. yes, cannot say but in these par
ticulars, and in matters Of such general
importance, they do as we'll as other chill
dren. But is this all the flial affection |
am 10 look for in my children - That
depends upon circumstances. You have
been wont to rule your household with
gentle frmness. Suppose you exchange
this for greater severity, and rule them
with a rod of iron. We do not mean with
injustice, but with infexible determination.
Probably few will think this suited to aug
ment 6lial affection, though it might Sc
cure implicit and more perfect obedience
Suppose you become less strict with them
than you have ever been before. Methinks
we hear you say, "that can never do
l have never refused them any reasonable
indul gence, nor withheld any thing in the
power of my hand to furnish, if suited to
their good. This they know, and have
confidence in them that they appreciate
my motives. To pursue such a course,
therefore, would tend only to diminish
their respect" Your remark is undoubt-
eddy just; for even young children have
sense enough to know that weak comph-
ance with their unreasonable demands, is
the result of imbeciliy and indecision, not
of parental affection. 1t would seem then
that you are not satisfied with the "sub-
stantial proofs you have of their flial af-
lection, in their general obedience to your
commands. You would have them not
only fly to execute all your commands.
which they might do without particle Of
love, but leave you with reluctance in the
morning, welcome you at noon, watch
your return with sparkling eyes at night {;
in short you desire open, manifest, lively
expressions of confidence and delight in
you. Did it ever occur to you that "love
begets love?" that lively love subsists not
upon substantial proof, that come like
angels visions, comparatively, few and
far between. How often does a single
word pronounced with the gentle accent OF
affection swell the breast with full tide of
love. The very constitution of man
praises God ;" we quote from above God
is infinitely wise. Had he been less so he
/ might have given to favors value pro-
} portioned to the expense incurred. Bless
ed be the Lord our God who is wise above
/ all Gods. He seeth not as man seeth.-
, The soul meanest in mans apprehension
may stand highest in his; and often our
| souls exult in loving those who have
never bestowed upon US the slightest favor
but whose gentle and winning manner, re
fecting the spirit of Christ, wins it's way
irresistibly to our souls, securing our love
y without BRIDE
r The inference is easy. Would you
have the lively affection and confidence O
Y your children, you must sympathize with
e them in all their little cares. Study thei
: predictions and their prejudices. b
: actually interested in their objects Of put
: suit How certainly do the affections O
e THE little creatures become alienated O
v deadened, whose parents listen to thei
s childish cares with forced attention. Dea
itfgently as well as firmly with them. LIE
II there be love in the very tones of you
IT voice. Alpays rule your own spirit
Il Beware of the very existence of an ide'
% IhoL Idanei vi holucI Can e"et DC lOund u
if such spirit that the little one who come
l. running to them may meet an angry re
st ception. Take heed that they see moth
il ing in the family which would sink you
l. dignity in the estimation of stranger
he Whom they cannot respect they will 500
h cease to love. Young children have al
g. most intuitive perceptions of what's RICH
n and wrong. Does father come hot1e {
er dinner in a peevish mood-or only tact
i urn does he invoke blessing accomps
IS MED with solemn aseriptior of thanks t
be the bountiful Creator, and the next breat
IN This piety having vanished with the dish