Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-07-12
PARENTS DEPARTMENT.
From the Mothers Magazine.
PARENTAL RESpoN NSIBILITY.


There is in human nature, a strong pro-
pensity to throw off individual responsblli-
ty, and eXouerate ourselves from those
self.denying duties, which cost strug-
gle to perform. We have no fears that
maternal influence. or obligation, will re-
ceiye more attention than is due Il subject
of such vital Importance, one so intimate
Iy connected with the best interests of
present and future generations; and ulti-
.Inately, with the renovation Of the world.
But there is danger that paternal respon-
sibiity will in a measure be overlooked,
or at least undervalued. That fathers may
feel themselves disburdened oftheir obllga-
tons, by the recent efforts to bring moth
ers to proper estimation Of this influence,
and to induce them TO come fully up to
those high and holy duties imposed on
them by nature and the word of God.
While providence has assigned to the
mother, station nearest the heart OF her
offspring; while upon her is conferred the
honor Of stamping the first impressions on
the mind Of infancy; while she alone pos
sesses that patient, untiring love, which
imparts line upon line, and precept upon
precept;-the same providence has consti-
tuled the father the execut' head OF his
household and clothed him with power
to command, and authority to enforce
obedience. There is dignity in his
name, might of Influence IN his charac-
ter, that should most efectually co-opc-
rate with the mother in her tender assidui-
ties; and her difficult and urduous duties
which are essentially requisite to the prop
er moral training Of an immortal being for
this world, and the world to come.
Itwas for the neglect ofihis paternal re-
sponsibility, that Eli received those fearful
and appalling denunciations from God,
which "should make both the ears ofevery
one that heard it to tinsle"-and tie only
reason assigned by The pen Of inspiration
FOR the terrific execution of those fearful
judgments, was, that ELLIS sons made
themselves uilc, and he restrained them
not" The whole history conspires to
prove that it was in Els power to have
restrained his sons from wickedness, and
prevented those awful results which fol-
lowed his neglect. That it was his indis-
pensable duty to thus restrain them, and
that God who looketh on the heart, by
whom actions are weighed, punished him
tor the sinful neglect ofa known duty, and
held the father responsible for all the tre-
mendous consequences Of his children's
sins. The sentence denounced against
Eli, is of the most direct and personal
character-Jehovah charges the guilt Oh
him, wherefore kick ye at my sacrltice,
and mine offering which have command
ed, and honorest thy sons above mel
Behold, will cut of thine arm, and thou
shalt see an enemy in my habitation-for
I have told him that | will judge his house
forever for the iniquity that he kno,oeth, be-
cause his sons made themselves rale, and
he restrained them not" There was, to
be sure, a triple obligation resting on Ell;
AS High Priest, he was bound to watch
over the purity of the institutions & worship
ofthe God Of Israel; as magistrate, he was
to punish offenders, even though that Of
fender was his child; as parent, he owed
it to himself, his family, and community,
TO train up his children in the way they
should go:-and by all these sacred and
endearing RELATIONSHIP was under the high
est possible obligations to restrain his
children from those overt acts of wicked
ness by which the Lords people were
made to transgress, so that men abhorred
the offering ofthe Lord, many were de-
tered from public worship. and religious
instruction, and consequently from repent
ance and eternal life. through his lnstru'
mentality. Eli. by his sinful neglect o
duty to his children spread ruin over the
church Of God; prevented his chlldren's
happiness, responsibility, and usefulness
in this life, and destroyed their SOULS
planted thorus in his own dying pillow
and embalmed his name in everlasting
disgrace. The glory departed from
Israel, the "Daug hter Of Philis,ia triumph
ed" aad he died Of terror and grief.
Like many parents, both ancient anc
modern, Eli practised upon the persuasive
system Of family government; he though
coerciyc measures to secure obedience
was severe, and unnecessary; he hoped t.
talk them into compliance with his wishes
he told them their faults--the reports tha
reached his ears Of ftheir evil dealings; h
exposlulated with them, "why do ye 81
wickedly" he argued at length with then
on the nature and consequences Of thei
sins against God; but having neglected
the proper time for parental restraint ant
correction, he had lost his influence, hi: