Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-10-11
PARENTS DEPARTMENT.
From the Mothers Magazine.
PARENTAL AUTHORITY A HUNDRED YEARS

TTOlil lIlc hOlllcl Didp pdLuiC.
PARENTAL AUTHORITY A HUNDRED YEARS
AGO.
In the last number of the Magazine, un-
der the title "Ministcrial Authority Il Hum
dred Years Ago." an incident was related.
taken from the manuscript of an aged cler-
gyman of Connecticut, recently deceased,
going to show the superiority Of ministerial
influence at that day, to what it is at the
present time. From the same manuscript,
it is proposed, at this time, to extract, with
some abrdgement, an incident in the life of
the clergyman himself, illustrative of the
views of 'parental authority'' prevalent to
some extent, and perhaps generally. in the
same state, not far from hundred years
ago.
The father of the above clergyman him.
sclfalso belonged to the sacred profession.
He was divine of great emlnencc in his
day-one whose opinions were formed only
after much research and deliberation, but,
when once settled, were not readily relin-
quished.
The son, at the time my story begins,
was member ofcollege, and with him, in
in the same institution, was younger broth.
er. At that day, it was customary for the
young people for fifteen or twenty miles
around Hartford, the then capital Of the
state, to celebrate the general election with a
variety of amusements. In some places, a
play was acted which was concluded by a
ball. In this manner the election had fire.
quently, in consecutive years, been celebra-
ted in the town Of -, the residence of
the above clergyman. In conformity to this
usage, on the occurrence of the election in
the year --, it was proposed by a num-
Der ofscholars in college, who had been fit
ted by the clergyman, to learn a tragedy.
and to act it in the above town, at which
it was expected that the young people of
the place would be present, and would unite,
as was customary, in the ball. According
ly, tragedy was selected; the parts were
assigned and correspondence held with
several young men,residents in the place, as
to to the necessary arrangements.
Among those to whom parts were as
sighed, were the two sons ofthe clergyman
already named. On the occurrence of the
vacation, which commenced a week or more
previous to the day assigned for the "capl-
tai acting" the several scholars assembled,
agreeaby to previous concert, in the above
town. A room was engaged; the scenery
provided; the rehearsals made, and the COM
pany invited.
On the morning ofthc appointed day, the
eldest Of the above sons informed his father
of the proposed amusement, and, rather as
a matter of form than otherwise, asked per.
mission to attend, and act the part ass igned
him.
Judge his surprise, when the father pc.
remptorily refused his permission, and di-
rected him to inform his younger brother
that neither should bear any part in the the.
atrical transactions of the evening. This
was severe and unexpected prohibition to
the brothers, who repaired to their father,
and expressed their grief and disappont.
mcnt. To their inquiry, whether he had
not known about their plans and arrange
menst, he replied:-
81 have not been ignorant Of your plans,
nor am | now acting without reason; but
upon the authority which God has given me
as parent, forbid your taking part in the
tragedy. For the present, have no expla.
nations to make, and, without explanation, ii
is your duty to obey. You may attend up
on the other amusements ofthe evening""
Although thus peremptorily forbidden, the
brothers were reluctant TO relinquish their
object, and now repaired to their mother, tc
whom they made known their disappoint
ment, and dwelt upon the modification which
they must experience, concluding with {
request that she would intercede with theil
father. Like tender mother, she sympa
thizcd with them in their disappointment, bu
expressed her surprise that, having received
so direct and explicit refusal from thci
father, they should solicit her interference
This she would deem highly improper, 4:
their father had right to direct, and doubt
less had his reasons, and it was their duty
10 obey.
Not satisfied, however, they again sough
the presence of their father, and requested
at least, his reasons for his strange prohibi
ton. He replied, "that the subject was nc
longer open for discussion-it was settled
that he was acting from the convictions o
duty; but as toreasons, for the present hi
should assign none. He wished them tc
Weld obedience, as dutiful sons, to the com
mands of a father"
In the evening, the company assembled
at the appointed place, and the brothers
were there. When the tragedy was abou
to open, The actors were informed by tht