Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-08-07


not Iecollect that the feelings and DISPOSE
lions of their children are undergoing a
constant change. In the tones Of their
voice and methods of reproof and correc.
aon, they are too apt to regard them al.
ways as little children, even after thew
nave attained the stature Of men and wo-
men: Now this is wrong, and is calcu-
lated TO defeat the very object we seek at.
ter. 10 address a son of sixteen as we
would lad of eight, will be apt to pro-
woke him to wrath, and be returned with
inso!ence. and loss of respect to our au-
tholity.
At this age there is usually principle
OF self-respect to which an appeal may be
made, which will scarcely ever fail of
success. If your children have been train
ed as they ought to have been, their con-
sciences are susceptive of being appealed
to with effect. They have understanding,
and know what is reasonable and proper.
Now then, just in proportion as you keep
yourselves cool, free from passion, and all
peevlsh scolding, and reason calmly and
mildly with them, you will be likely to
mold them, as by the cords of love, in due
sub]ectlon to your commands.
Let it be your endeavor, as parents, to
secure and maintain the afecttonGte conf
denee Of your children as they grow up
and GdOanceto ripper gears. This can be
done by pursuing a uniform, decided, mild,
consistent course from their infancy.
The child is held at distance, often
scolded at, always reproved in tones of
anger. always found fault with, cannot be
drawn towards his parents, and held by
the strength of affection. He has no con-
fideLce in his parent, has no ambition to
please him, cares not whether he meets
his appreciation or frowns.
Would you reign supreme in your
children's hearts Then do all in your
power to hold their confidence and their
love. Here you have moral power thai
you can WELD at any time with effect over
their daily conduct and habits. They
will make you, of choice, their confidants
in all their difficulties, they will hold NO
secret but such as you know; your coun.
sci will always be sought in their doines,
and from your decisions there will be no
appeal.
Having thus secured an ascendency in
the hearts and minds of your older chill
dren, permit me to suggest few things
that should claim your attention in their
management.
In the first place, be cautious as to the
company aosth s0hieb they associate. The
wisest parent cannot exert one half the in.
tiuence over child of fourteen that his
companions will. And how unfit are sons
or daughters at this age to select thier
companions I fear there is great re.
missness on this point among parents. 1t is
a great mistake among many mothers to
feel fattered to have their daughters no.
ticed early, and drawn into company
while young. So eager are some moth.
ers to have their daughters put forward,
that they think little of the character
and habits of those who take them by the
hand and lead them forward. When ]
see young Miss of fifteen or sixteen, the
child of pious mother, often In the streets
with some airy, fashionable young Iady
OF lrrellgIous family, and irreligious hab.
lts-when | see young Miss deceived
away from the seat of her mother in the
sanctuary by such young lady to her own
pew, feeling highly fattered, both parent
and child, by such attention-and when I
cast my eye occasionally towards that
pew, and notice the countenances, the de-
pertinent, and busy movements of those
associates, confess tremble for the char.
acter of that youth she is in danger OF
being ruined by a light, :rifling, vain, and
frivolous example. The danger is, not
that your daughter will not go into COM
pany soon enough, but too soon. Multi
tudes have been ruined by having their
vanity and pride pulled up by too early at.
tentlon abroad, where one has suffered bv
being closeted too long at home. Never
lose the control ofyour daughters eomyo.
my, the place, and frequency, and Length
of her visits abroad. When your daugh.
ter shall have come to that pass that She
can go and return, and stay as long as she
pleases. without consulting you, she has
swung aloof from all that is decent. and
orderly, and becoming in a Christian
community.
ITO be continued.I