The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-15
From the lions .4duocn!e.
MATERNAL RESPONSIBILITY

! The station OF n mother is the most accouuta-
BILE that a human being can sustain, affecting by
the manner in which it is sustained, NOT only the
mortal but the immortal interests ofthose upon
whose mind she makes the first Impressions
upon which she traces characters permanent, of
ten beyond tue reach Of time and circumstances
she mollds the wax when IL is most tluctile'
She sets in operation train of causes which.
will go down through all coming time The
causes will go on long after she has gone to her
| eternal home, cleYating immortuls to virtue and
honor, or urging them onward in sin, and pas
sion and woe. The extent and power of their
influence have been but little appreciated and
acli nowledSed. Hence, the mass OF mankind
with nm Tor hs parents. IN tue Joyuus
feeling with which the mother uyishes her
fond embraces upon her smiling babe-in the
parentnl3 pride with which tue father regards
this pledge OF mutual atfecIiot-rarely does Ell
Their seriously resolve the future destiny of this
new Immortal, or realize how nearly lti1t desti
ny is connected with their conduct, Parental
obligations neither recognized nor felt by the
greut multitude of parents. Rushing, MS they
frequently do, into the marriage state from mere
impulse of PASSION, without forethought or pru-
dence, they become parents without one right
impression in reference TO the duties which de-
volve upon them. Many regard their children
as pretty playIhings, that must be well taken
care of and be taught, some way or other, what.
ever will set them off to the best advantage.
They utter strangers of course, TO any idea of
the important duty or forming their charac tiers
shaping their future destiny Alright. No one
who has adequate conceptions oil the connection
which exist between the parents conduct and
the child's destiny, aud notices the manner in
which domestic duties are neglected. can he sur
prsed at the evil and suffering which abound in
society
This connection, however overlooked, is init
niate and lasting in its influence. In Il vast una
| jorty of cases, the influence eXrrted upon the
days ofearly childhood, the principles Which
are then enlbibed, aud the bias which is then
given TO the mind, determine the character and
| fix the destiny for both worlds. III the child
leave the parental roof with his passions I'm.
checked, and with no restraint imposed upon
those vicious propensities which are Inherent
to our nature, he will, in all probability, rush
on in the ruinous course of selt-indul gence, and
go down TO a dishonorel grave. li,on the 9th
| err hand, the lessons of self control have been
I ehectualIy taught him, he will probably retain
the habit through life If the principles of indus
| try, frugaty economy, benevolence, and piety,
have been carefully Installed into his mind his
after life will be constant and beautiful exli-
ton of them.
Now, as the mother is the guardian and guide
of the days of infancy and youth, as she is con-
stanty with her children as it is her voice which
they mostly hear, her countenanco and actions
which they see, a,id her example which they
continually behold in those years when they are
I most initiatives, must she exert the greatest
influence in the formation of tn cir character
4 Many causes indeed, contribute their auxiliary
assistance in the process. Companions brothers
and sisters the father, and the scenes by which
the child is surrounded, all perform their part;
| but the mother does the most. The first being
that the child knows is us mother. To the young
heart, the mother is the first object Of affection
and reverence Her eye and yoice--her tears
and her smlles---her caresses and rcproofs, are
the subjects of nfane observations. The feel.
ings, passions and expressions of the mother will
feelings, passions and expressions of the child
No earthly induence whatever, and no conbina-
ton of causes effect so much in promoting the
happiness or misery of individuals, and of oui
race, as mothers Henceit is that the influence
f which shall, at length, redeem our world, mus