Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-26
Iaairg Department.
Fok THE SPIRIT OF II AGE
Copy Of a Letter from a Mother to her Daughters
oF pohoc1

Copy Of a Letter from a Mother to her Daughters
as School.
Since you left US, dear children, ] have
been rejecting on the responsibility resting
on me as AM lther, and have come to the con-
cIusion to address a letter on the Importance
Of your Advancement in Literature and Nor
nlity. l sail endeavor TO inculcate those
principles best calculated to assist you III
this undertaking, without which, all your
forts to excel will be vain. The hrst sub
iect which | suggest for your consideration is,
the improvement Of those talents which your
heavenly Father has bestowed on you, and
YOUR imperative duty to improve them to your
own alyan age, and the bestgood Of m lnkind.
You are not too young to comprehend, when
/ tell YOU that your understanding IS one
talent, and the means afforded YOU for cultl-
waiting it another and that your future des-
tiny will more or less depend on the manner
in which you improve them. That you may
derive benefit from Redistribution given You,
you must pay particular attention to the rules
prescribed for the regulation OF your conduct
unless some system he pursued, all Will be
anarchy and confusion. Your lessons must
DO we'll committed to memory not the words
only, but the meaning Of the words. Every
day should witness some now ideas treasured
IN in your store-h0use Of knowledge.
The more closely you apply yourselves to
YOUR studies. tho sooner YOU will become at
tached to them, and new beauties will every
day present themselves from every page
The mind nav ~becOmpnred to %silyer,t the more
It is rubbed the mighter it will sh1nc. A
refined and intelligent education ought TO be
the aim Of every female TO acquire winch,
industry and strict attention to all the pre-
cepts and almonitions OF your Teachers are
absolutely necessary. The Fundamental parts
OF an education, such as reading, spelling
writing, arithmetic, grammar.and geography
should be critically Attended to this t0un
dation we'll hid. it will be easy to advance II
YOUR future course. Youth is the time fui
making Advancement and storing the minf
with useful KIN wlcdge. Neglected youth pro
duces q barren wOmanhuod and miserable ol'
arc. "Rlches take to themselves wings an
hy away - but the resources OF n we'll train
ell mind can never in this life be token iron
tho possessor. 1t IS truly said, ofail poverty
that of the mind is most deplorahic.
Time is another important talent for whic
Won are responsible to the Great Giyer, to
the use YOU make 90 il. You should a7pol
ton your time, so As not to suffer one thin
to crowd in upon another this viii proaul
hurry and cause YOU 10 neglect some lmpo
tant duty. Remember, that the moHen.
that arc triled away without improvement
will be numbered against you at thclast gre;
and final day. You arc commanded III Il
Sacred Scriptures to bring forth fruit. YC
NAV ask what is meant by fruit ? 1t IS to
assiduously engaged in your studies, to
strictly obedient to the commands Of yoi
Parents and Teachers, to cultivate a mild al
amiable temper towards your companions,
prudent, lady-likc, gcntcei department.
your manners these, to carry out the iigur
are the lovely blossoms offspring. wmcn w
hiring forth rich and wholesome fruit for III
turer years. You ought to bear in mind, tn
tho facilities for an education now afford
YOU, may sooner or later be taken from yol
that should you neglect to avail yourselves.
the best use Of them, it will be q source
bitter regret to you in after life. These pr
ilcges are bestowed on yen to tit you to
that station i'm which Providence has dcslg
ed YOU to move, so that you may be useful
mankind, an honor to your parents, ant
that gratitude alone wodiftd prompt you dff }"
ert every faculty to attain distinction in yc
studies. | have often known parents to
nv themselves many Of the comforts, and oy
nccessaries of life. to afford means to tn
children for an education. Certainly,
would be the bascst ingratitude for childl
of such parents, to waste their time and sll!
their privileges. ~ltctect, then, before It
too late ; let me advise, yes, let me impr
it indellibly upon your mind, the importal
of vigorous e~xcrtion on your part, IN the pr
ecution Of your studies and the improyem
of your time.
In conclusion, let me call on You both,
dear children, to remember that in all v
requirements, none is ofso much importa
rs II knowledge Of the scriptures with
this, all other knowledge will in the end
vain-the greatest and most necessary I
of education will be wanting. This will te
you to fear God, and keep his comma
ments. 1t will secure to you that pearl
great price, an approving conscience,
that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ VII
will be as an 'anchor to the soul, both S
and steadfast," that will remain with
through life, stand by you in death, and 0
to YOU the gates OF u blessed immortal
But, should you take an opposite course,
indeed will you find the reverse. You
find, if you NEGLECT the present opportul
for improvement, squandcr your timein
ness, or vain and trihing amusements,
getting your Creator in the days of
youth, that disgrace and infamy will fo
YOU in this life, and q fearful looking fu
Judgment in the life to come. But let
hope better things Of you. That you
prove ornaments to the society in which
may be placed, and show to the world
you have not lived in vain, is the sincere
sire of your aiieetionato Mothcr,
IL x X y !