The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-01-26
From the lions Advocate.
Maternal Responsibility.
tam.

The station of a mother is the most aCcounta-
bic that human being can sustain, affecting, by
the manner in which 1t is sustained, not only the
mortal interests of those upon whose mind she
makes the first mpressions-upon which she ira
ces characters permanent often beyond the reach
of time and circumstances. She moulds the wax
when it is most ducte. She sets in operation a
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, elevating i'm
mortals to virtue and honor, or urging them on
ward in sin, and passion and woe. The extent
and power of their influence have been but little
appreciated and acknowledged. Hence, the mass
of mankind fail to consider what weight of obi
cation and degree of responsibility the child brings
into the world with him for his parents. In the
joyous feeling with which the mother lavishes her
fond embraces upon her smiling babe-n the pa
rental pride with which the father regards this
pledge of mutual afection-rarely does either Sc
rously resolve the future destiny of this new i'm
mortal, or realize how nearly that destiny is con-
nected with their conduct. Parental obligations
are neither recognized nor felt by the great multi
tude of parents. Rushing, as they frequently do
into the marriage state from the mere impulse of
passion, without forethought or prudence, they be-
come parents without one right impression in ref
Many regard their children as pretty playthings,
that must be well taken care of, and be taught
some way or other, whatever will set them off to
the best advantage. They are utter strangers, of
course to any idea of the important duty of form
ing their characters and shaping their future des
tiny Alright. No one has adequate conceptions of
the connection which exists between the parents
conduct and the childs destiny, and notices the
manner in which domestic duties are neglected
can be surprised at the evil and suffering which a
bound in society
This connection, however overlooked, is init.
mate and lasting in its influence. In a vast ma
jority Of cases, the influence exerted upon the
days of early childhood, the principles which are
then imbibed, and the bias which is then given to
the mind, determine the character and fix the des-
tiny for both worlds. If the child leave the pa
rental roof with his passions unchecked, and with
no restraint imposed upon those vicious propensi-
ties which are inherent in our nature, he will in
all probability, rush on in the ruinous course of
sef-indulgence, and 60 down to dishonored
grave. IT, on the other hand, the lessons of self
control have been efectuaIy taught him, he will
probably retain the habit through life. If the
principles of industry frugality, economy, benev-
olence, and piety, have been carefully nstilled in
to his mind, his after life will be a constant and
beautiful exhibition of them.
Now, as the mother is the guardian and guide
of the days of infancy and youth, as she is con-
stantly with her children, as it is her voice which
they mostly hear, her countenance and actions
which they see, and her example which they con-
tnually behold in those years when they are most
initiative, so must she exert the greatest influence
in the formation of their character Many caus-
es, 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 its mother To the young heart, the
mother is the first object of affection and rever-
ence. Her eye and voice--her tears and her
smies-her caresses and reprools, are the sub
jects of infantile observations. The feelings, pas
sons and expressions of the mother will become
imperceptibly and almost necessarily the feelings,
passions and expressions of the child. No earth
ly influence whatever, and no combination of
causes effect so much in promoting the happiness
or misery of individuals, and of our race, as
mothers. Hence it is that the influence which
shall, at length, redeem our world must come
from mothers lips. She who was first in the
is destined to be the principal hui
man instrumentaity in restoring the race to its
primitive purity.
From the Evening News