The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-04-11
SERIOUS READING.

lays WIN uACu ~ S-ooho uPoA thC iVois
SERIOUS READING.
"a mother teaching her child to pray,
is an object at once the most sublime
and tender that the imagination can
conceive. Elevated above earthly things
she seems like one of those guardian
angels, the companions of our earthly
through whose minis.ration
we are melted to good and restrained
from evil. The image of the mother
becomes associated in his infant mind
with the avocation she taught him of
his Father who is in Heaven" When
the seductions of the world assaiI his
youthful mind, that well remembered
prayer to his !" Father who is in Heay-
an," will strengthen to resist evil
When in riper years he mingles with
mankind, he encounters fraud under the
mask Of honesty; when he see con-
fiding goodness betra. ed, generosity
ridiculed as weakness, unbridled hatred,
and GOODNESS af interested friendship,
he may, indeed, be tempted to despise
his fellow men, but he will remember
his " Father who is in Heaven"
"Should he, on the contrary, aban-
don himself to the world, and allow the
seeds of self love to spring up and -four
ish in. his heart he will, notwithstand-
ing, sometimes hear warning voice
in the depths of his soul, severely ten
der as those maternal lips that taught
him to pray to his !" Father who is in
Heaven" But when the trials of life
are over and he may be extended on
the bed ofdeath, with no other consola.
ton than the peace of an approving
conscience, he will recall the scenes OF
his infancy, the image of his mother;
and with a tranquil confidence will re-
sign his soul tohis /" Father who is in
Heaven"
Such an idea is beautifully and eifec-
lively suggestive, and awakens remin-
iscences of melancholy delight. At
time, perhaps, is the mind more dispo-
sed to revert to the experience OF child
hood, than when we are placed in a
position directly concerned with incl
dents like them. In the twilight quiet
of the day, when the din of business is
hushed, and outward objects are no
longer intrusive, than "in the hearts
deep silence, and the depth of nature s
slence," we examine what is sent to
the chancery above, of the days con-
duct. We go back far beyond, and
bring full upon the eye, the time when,
kneeling with hands folded upon the
mothers knee, widowed mother, per-
chance. we looked upwards, the simple
desires of a childish heart, for the will
! to be subdued, the bread broken in sea-
son, and the trespasses yet unceived, or
not fully comprehended, all to be for.
given; that temptations-th young
heart, the infant mind, has its tempta'
tions--might, be avoided; falling to be
raised, and TO be delivered. This scene,
with the amen and the blessing, come
all crowded downward, through half q
century, to remind us of what we have
lost, and to prepare for what we may
attain. At such season, the holy in
fuences of maternal piety are recog
uized, and faith and works, endurance
constancy and success, are all referred
back to such moments, when the buds
of virtue were planted in the bosom
softened by filial love; and awed with
| the indefnable sense Of the presence
into which it seemed. by the humanity
| of position, the devotion Of the will, l,anc
the sanctity of the words to be moro
immediately brought.
Perhaps, we suggest with Difference
| the special teaching Of the mother de-
rives some effect from the manner anc
the circumstances in which they are
given. 1t is not in the crowd, nor ir
| the garish light of the world, that deeT
and lasting impressions were made. In
solitude, Moses barred his 70 OF to listen
| In thequiet Of the caves mouth, Eljaf
recognized the presence by the still
small voice. In darkness and in rest
Samuel answered to the call. So thu
sanctity Of the timesthe quiet Of place
and the solemnity that mingles will
1.-THE mothers afIec ctionate monitions,w ,wil
lgiye depth to their impressions, ant
efficiency to their quiets, such soleml
musings, may recall them, with all thei
! potency, to lull, to sooth, to amend.
A passionate tehper renders a mar
1un6t for advice, deprives him Of hi
reason, robs him of all that is eithe
great or noble In his nature; it make
him unfit for conversation, destroy
Fl Ifr;andehin rhon0er instice intos mi,