Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-05-02
Childhood.


Childhood.
Re. kind to the little child You cannot tell how
one harsh word or unknd look will chill his heart and
fill his ewes with tears. You may forget that the
word has been spoken, and try by kind acts to win
the chd's affections, but you may never be able to
remove the impression which that look and word have
made. Many people suppose that children are less
observing than older persons, and they use language
before them which they would consider too impolte
to be used before their friends and acquaintance
This is sad and fatal mistake. chlld's impress
sons are sometimes so lasting that whole lifetimes
after experience is not able to remove them. Each
one may recall of the feelings childhood which
have continued to the present tme and which sober
Judgment has not been able to remove. Let the
words spoken to young children be gentle, loving
words which we should not regret to have them re-
member in after years. Let the child be treated
with sincerity and let only the words OF truth be
addressed to him, for in this way alone can he be
taught to practice the truth in word and action II
a slight deception is detected by child. he will
not again trust you. No effort of yours can restore
that perfect confidence, which is of the most at
traetive attributes of childhood Unkindness is in
deed an injury to the child for it chs his af
fections and teaches him to feel misery God meant
he should be happy But harshness is far better than
deception for this robs the soul of its trust and
rob it of its most precious jewel the diamond truth
We have read of a father who once promised his
son that he should he present at the blasting of
stone wall, which to take place at certain time
The boy was absent at the time, and the father,
forgetting that he had made promise allowed the
blasting to take place in his sons absence. The boy
returned and found that his father had broken his
pghted word. For the first time in his life his IA
Their had deceived him, and full of injured feeling
his breast swelling with disappointed hopes, he
sought-his father, eagerly reminded him ofhis prom
Use.
For moment the parents brow was overcast
He had forgotten his promise; the heavy stonewall,
with great labor and expense had been destoyed,
and his son had not witnessed it destruction. But
what was labour and expense compared to fathers
truth Turning to the boy he said : 81 did prom
you that you should see the blasting, my son and
you shall see it. The wall be rebuilt, and my prom
Use shall be performed" Accordingly the wall was
rebuilt, and the boy learnt that his father valued
his word above all price, and would spare expense
to keep promise which he had made his son. There
have spoken, which could have impressed the value
of truth upon his mind powerfully did this
single action.
The sorrows of childhood are often called feeting
They are so. In most children the smile may be
easily called the midst of tears and the sunshine
and clouds succeed each othern the face fchldhood
Yet, though transient, the child's real
SORROWS and his little heart aches truly years
had taught him more patience He has less philoso
sophy and has not yet learned about his grie
does he realize that the darkest night is often
just before day. For this very reason he feels his
more keenly that if he were older and more
philosophical and sympathy in his griefs will be
sweet to him as to one in the prime of life
Then let the child receive sympathy in his sorrows
and let US do all in our power to Tighten his grie
and soothe his pain, remembering that 81 of such il
the kingdom of Heaven" -Oiive Branch