The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-11-22
G0nfational.
Address TO Children

During the recenlsession of the Teach
ers' Institute in this place, Professor
Sanders, of New York, delivered beau
tiful and interesting Address to the chill
dren Of Doylestown and vicinity. The
crowded house manifested the interest
felt in the subject BY the community, and
at an early hour the room was filed, and
the large number of earnest little faces in
the audience, proved that the Professor
had not mistaken his object in calling to.
gether those for whom he has labored so
faithfully-the children of our land.
l often feel, said the Professor, when
looking on the youth of our beloved coun-
try, that cbildren's hours are indeed ths
sunny ones of life; and there comes from
my inmost heart those beautiful words of
the poet oh! would 1 were boy q.
gain These golden hours, these days so
free from care; there are for you; from ns,
they have passed forever, and oh! my
dear children, how much you can do to
promote the happiness of all whom you
love, and who love you. When I was q
boy, We had but very few advantages for
receiving an education in our public
schools, yet [ was very happy; I used to
throw myself upon the green grass, and
gazing on the fair blue sky, think this a
most lovely world and I the happiest boy
in it. But you who are children now,
have so much to aid, encourage and in
ierest you in acquiring an education, if
you onl y strive for it. You can all rise
to eminence and leave this world the bet
ter for your having lived in it. The great
God who watched SO tenderly over your
childhood, whose eye knows no slumber,
whose vigilance never relaxes, He holds
Jour reward. Learn early to love and
obey your parents. Honor thy father
and thy mother You love this beauti-
ful world and would not like to leave it,
remember you have Gods word, that
they who love their father and mother
their days shall be long in the land
Twenty-Five years ago, in one of the
eastern counties of New York, there liv.
ed widow with one son, whom she ten
derly loved, and for whose happiness she
constantly strove. In return for this
kindness, he ought to have been a support
and comfort to her, but instead of this, be
was a continual source of anxiety and
sorrow; his bad conduct and evil habits
caused her weary days and sleepless
nights. One sultry August afternoon,in-
stead of going to school whittier he had
been sent, be went with companion as
idle as himself, on fishing excursion.-
Late in the afternoon the horizon became
obscured, masses of ebon clouds rolled
from the west, darkening the fair face of
Heaven and betokening the near ap-
proach of one of those terrible storms
which sometimes burst upon US in mid
summer, With tropical fury. The COM
panions of the widows son became a.
Harmed, and urged him to return. This
he refused to do, eursing and swearing in
the most awful manner, imprecating the
wrath of God. The elements paused in
their warfare, and for a moment an aw-
full stiffness reigned; then, as if coucen-
trating all their fury in one dread blow,
there came binding fash, terrific re-
port, red bolt sped from the sky, and
again there was pause, but there upon
the green-sward, cold in death, lay the
blasphemer. With the dark passions
raging in bis soul, with the sinful words
upon bis lips, he was ushered into the
presence of his maker. This may seem
an exaggerated account; my friends, it is
the simple truth; | was the teacher of
those boys; l saw that blackened corpse
| heard that poor mothers agonized
shrieks as she gazed upon the lifeless clay;
l saw the look ofterror on his companion's
countenance, and the impression will nev.
er be effaced
Think of this, children, when you are
tempted to disobcy your parents, or take
the name of your God lightly. Oh! try
to be all that you Gun and ought to be,
now while you are enjoying so many ad.
vantages for acquiring an education, when
you have comfortable school buildings,
competent teachers, and everything to
add to your welfare and happiness, try
and make the best use of them; you are
all that your parents live for; let them feel
that they have not lived in vain. Never
be false, mean or cruel, but be true, no.
bic minded, pure hearted men and wo-
men; then will your course through life
be bright one, then will love and graft
tude strew your daily path with flowers.
aud when at last the summons for your
departure comes, gentle hands will lead
you to the eternal gates, and sweet mem
ories be your epitaph.
IF you want to know the way to the