Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-12-06
M-oral asa,. sGos.giOsss.
The Duty of Mothers.

The sphere occupied by mother, Is one of
transcendent importance-the influence she is cap
able of eXerting over her children extends beyond
tne-it reaches in its blessed or banefu effects,
through eternity. From her they receive the first
and strongest Impressions She directs their
thoughts, forms their habits, and often fixes their
destiny forever. She sits as Il sun in the domestic
system, and from her are to emanate all those in
fuences which are to enIiven uvgorate, and bless
for two worlds, the children Of her love. If there
Is law by which children inherit the looks and
features of their parents, much more, as by an in
visible dagueweoypC is their moral image fixed
upon their soul. Youth has been Justly styled the
seed time Of life; then are deposited the seeds
which will spring up, and produce the precious
fruits of immortality, or the grapes Of Sodom and
the clusters Of Gomorrah; then is the proper sea-
son for cuvatng the benevolent affections for eX-
Pandlng the intellect and impressng the heart 1t
will be seen from this view that the responsibilities
of mother are solemn and overwhelmingly
great. And to qualify her for the appropriate and
successful discharge Of her high duty she needs
virtue, intelligence and religion And vet how
many young Tally thoughtleSsy PUSHES into the
domestic relations, and renders herself liable to
those weghty responsibilities, without any ade-
quate preparation, without ever counting the cost.
And when it is too late, she regrets her rashness
and folly. 1t is painful to look into domestic e.
economy, and sec the wreck aud ruin brought on
many lovely daughter DY the ignorance or i'm
providence of mothers. They haveheen more So
licltouS to have daughters dress we'll, sing well,
and dance we'll, than to shine as lights in the NOR
al hrmanent shedding living lusturc over all the
relations oflic. Daughters thus trained, will e.
merge from under the parental roof ignorant of
the practical duties oflle incapable Of sustaining
with honor a hcm#clYaa9r with comfort 70 clhcrs
that relation on which Heaven has placed its own
Signet, and if they ever become mothers they will
raise up an intellectually feeble and eFomnate
race, and thus prove Il curse, instead of blessing
to the world
What is the duty Of mothers? Let them first be
properly educated themselves; and then train their
daughters TO habits Of industry and economy, to
habits Of reading, to habits of thoughts, vigorous
and intense, to habits Of pure and spiritual deYo-
ton. Let them be taught before entering the mar
riage relation, the important lesson that vrtuous
and well educated woman is the JOY and crown OF
her husband. Let them be impressed with the
thought that while mere personal beauty may fas-
cinate the inconsderato for IA day. it will not per-
manently captVate and charm. 1t is like the beau
tful flower that opens its leaflets to dazzle the eye
but soon fades, and leaves no lasting impressions
fits former freshness and fragrance. The adorn
nents of the mind, on the contrary, will increase
as age declines, and shine brighter and brighter
when the attractions Of face and form shall fade
and be remembered no more. o, could mothers
be impressed with this subject, could they but be
awakened to a sense of their duty, we should no
see so many broken hearts,so many desolate dwell
Jugs, so many abandoned females who wander
in the night season, like fallen stas grefto thc
parents, a curse to themselves, and disgrace t
their sex.