Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-24
Cbditt 9ittratnrt.
First Less Ons.-Revenge
BY REV. j. L. BURROWS.

Others similarly thoughtless, were regard |
less OF the moral character of his infantile i
habits, supposing, if they thought at all on
the subject, that the future education and
good sense of their child, would rectify
whatever might be wrong in his early train
ing. They never reflected that the same
dispositions and actions that are wicked in
the man, are incipient germs of wickedness
in the child
Upon Henry's third birth day, his fond
parents had presented him with some little
toys, with which he was romping ioyously
about the floor, when he aceidentlg stun.
bled over a stool. He was somewhat burt,
and began to cry. His mother took him
into her arms, and, in order to pacify him,
began to strike and scold the stool.
Naughty stool to hurt the baby -
Mamma will whip the naughty stool 7
The object was gained. The child open
cd wide his beautiful eyes, looked triumph
antly OF the chastised stool, and continued
his play. Tie first lesson in rcvenge ,Das
giUen.
A short time after, little playmate took
up one Of his toys. Henry, jealous of his
rights, attempted to snatch it from him.
He resisted, and Henry struck him in the
face. II was The first practice Of has moth
er's lesson.
He looked up into her face, and she was
laughing at his sprightliness, and remarked
to a friend, What spirit tie dear boy
has! The practice Of the first lesson soas
encouraged!
All that mother did not dream that she
was inculcating and fostering principles in
the heart of her boy, that should subject
him to disgrace and remorse, and herself to
unutterable anguish.
Scenes like these were Of frequent occur
renee, and Henry became accustomed to
strike with his tiny hand every person or
thing that offended him, and these little
ebullitions Of passion, were hailed and en-
couraged as 50 many evidences of superior
Vivacity. True, he was sometimes told it
was naughty and that good boys must
not be spiteful, and that Emamma would
not love him if he acted so : but there were
in the words of reproof so much of the man.
ner and tone ofapproval, that it is not mar
vellous if, with the quick perceptions of
as an encouragement, than as a restraint.
Years passed.
One day, when Henry was about seven
years old, he ran sobbing into the parlor
where his parents sat, and rushed to his
fathers knee in great distress.
why, my son, what in the world is the
matter 2 asked the father.
'Charles slapped me in the face
We'll, he is no larger than you, why
didn't you whip him for it ? hope you are
not going to be coward. You must take
your own part, or you will never be man.
Nov the truth was, that Henry, upon
some slight vexation, had struck his cousin
Charles, who, probably, similarly trained,
had returned the blow. But, without any
inquiry into the cause of the quarrel, the
father, who, in accordance with the popu
lar but ruiuous maxim wanted to make hi
son lad of spirit, encouraged him to tax,
his defence into his own hands. The child
shamed and nerved by his fathers reproach
es, left the room, and in few moments tn
screams of the two boys proclaimed that the,
were in battle. Before they could reach tn
scQne of contention, Charles had run, ant
little Henry was the boasting victor.
Now you are brave boy said the blin
ded, foolish father, patting his flushed cheek
my own brave boy never let any boy {
your own size insult you without payin
him for it.
Thus aOere the principles of the first les
sons fired, and the bent twig hardened q
it grew in the direction to which it was il
clined.
Henry grew up passionate and reveng
full boy. His disposition, naturally yieldin
and peaceful, nderjudicious training migl
have rendered him amiable and beloved
and, as it was, there were lovely traits in h
character. He was as generous as hast,
as ready to forgive as to strike, as eager
repair an injury when the storm of passio
had calmed, as to infict one while it W,
raging. BY bis youthful associates his ten
per was dreaded, and of couse he was n,
loved. The bright strands that compose
the warp of his temperament were cloude
by the dark threads that had been wove
into its woof.
During his seventeenth year, Henry e.
tered college, and possessing untiring enc
gy and industry started fair in the race Fl
the laurels of his class But before IL
year was passed he was expelled 70. gross
insulting the tutor, who mildly reprovC
him for being tardy at the hour of recitation
His mortified parents were now as seve
in censuring his ftful passions, as they hi
been industrious in instilling them. Ea
nestly did they strive to root out from Il
soil Of the heart, the noxious weeds, whic
in their thoughtless folly, they had plante
But it was too late. Promoted by their oy
assiduous culture, the growth had becor
too rank to be easily subdued. And th
sougat not for him, nor did they encoura
him to seek, the interposition Of the divi
hand which alone can break up the fall
ground, and plant the flowers of paradise
the mellowed soil.
A clerkship was obtained for Henry
the store Of a merchant in his native to,
He was attentive to the business of his
ployer, who, though often tried by his i
liability, highly valued his promptness /
energy. Experience in the world had tau
Henry the necessity of controlling his
ger when crossed or contradicted. But
passions we're only suppressed, not expel
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