The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-28
II o p A r. r. " II s

Standing on the summit of a noun tain,
| perceived two fountains side by side, from
both of which gushed clear, sparkling wa
tiers that wound along for some distance in
small rills very near each other. At length
their courses gradually and almost imper-
ceptioly began TO widen. Following them
farther on, one might perceive still greater
differences not only in direction but also in
velocity. One flowed gently along the
mountain side till broad and deep its blue
waters stretched like lake along beauti-
full valley, bearing Oh its bosom thousand
barques whose Auuering sails swept noise
lessly, like birds, beside the lovely villas
that grew up innumerable along its banks.
The other, as it gained in might, rushed
swiftly down the mountain, leaping DER
crag and cliff and laundering bounded on
through the dark wood till its foamy waters
were lost in the boundless sea How unlike
in their movements to the goal they sought.
Such is human life. Graded on the lap of
tenderness, and catching the smiles of love
that play in mothers eye, the he pless
infant may become Ho,Dad, to cheer the
prisoners gloomy cell with sunshine that
lights the soul, and TO whisper holy words
10 ears that had grown heavy amid the
clank of letters. The other, falling under
different influences, may become a Nero,
who set fire TO Rome and played upon his
harp amid the mined lays conAagratlon, de-
claring "lhat he wished 10 see the ruin of
all things before his DEATH" There were
doubtless original differences in the orsani-
cation OF these two individuals, but who
can tell how much education and external
influences had 10 do in their diverse charac-
ters2 The feetle rivulet may be turned
from its bed by stone or clod, but VIXEN
it has grown and become mighty by the
addition of thousand streams the noun
tain barrier is torn from its foundations and
swept away by the ocean-waters. Let the
eye of the child, as it gazes in wonder upon
the new world around it, meet continually
the cold look of indifference and hear the
harsh voice of unkindness, and it will grad
uaIly catch the spirit of its attendants till
its infant heart is fashioned for life. | am
aware that am uttering no new truth, that
all have heard the sentiment, in different
forms thousand times. But the fact that
it is UNDECIDED is sufficient apology for its
repetition. The child for the first few wears
of its life is considered by many burden,
and its earnest inquiries are unanswered,
and it is turned away from the domestic
hearth, which ought TO be its little heaven,
in which to learn Angel-songs, and hurried
off to the infant school and the common
school, and forced 10 mingle with vile COM
panions, ill the foul breath of sin darkens
the bright mirror of its soul, and heavenly
images are never again reflected there. The
thoughts of children are craven on the
heart with pen of iron. John Newton, as
he lies down for repose, away upon the
sands of Africa, engaged in the horrid
business of the slave trade, thinks of home
of mothers voice, and finds himself
repeating the infant hymn she learned him.
Now lay me down to Sleep
His tears fall like rain in that lone resting
place, and he becomes christian. ia. Adams
openly and proudly avows, such as have
been, whatever it was, such as am, what
ever it is, and such as hope TO be in all
futurty, must be ascribed under Providence,
10 the precepts and examples of my molher.'
The mother must be the educator of her
child. She must shape its course and mark
its destiny. The germ of the tree which
shall scatter fragrance and perfume around
and above il, or like the poisonous Upas,
cast its dealhly shade on bird and flower
beneath it, is planted and nourished by
mothers hand.
An infant sleeps in its cradle, and the
smile of innocence plays on its velvet cheek.
AS ii increases in strength and wisdom, it
is pampered and humored till it becomes a