Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-03-27


oil being too strict in our own example and
,ur own obedience.
t. these things, 1t is necessary TO add
another important principle, that is, to train
|t EN- to obey righteous rules and laws and
oliow in the foo steps Of correct example.
II will be OF but little account to estab.
lish rules Of government and practise them
ourselves, IL we do not enjon their observ-
ance in such q way as to produce respect
for them, and at the same time the fear Of
transgresson, In the minds Of our children.
This may be easily done. Our rules should
be 20 formed as not to be upon the one
loose. And then il shou be our endeavor
TO show that obedience to them will neces-
ssrily be productive Of happiness, while
their willful transgression will end only In
misery. They should be taught the relI-
ton existing between the beginning and
the end Of both obedience and trensgres-
sion, and that the obedience required 10
| not to satisfy an inherent love Of commend
but is intimately connected with their own
wellbeiug nov and in the future. Virtue
should be adouned in her most pleasant
be presented in all it's hideousness AID vile
def/fmty. While we are strict in The
pDIhibtion Of every vice, and the cortec-
hoL of every crime. we should be dligent
and liberal in providing the means for the
enjoyment Of innocent pleasantly. 1t is the
nature and almost the life Of children to
be in the continued pursuit of things pleas
ing and exciting, and if we do not provide
| for the healthful satisfaction Of their wants
in this respect, they will in all probsbiIily
select for themselves without discriminating
tnat which is moral. from that which is
vicious and demoralzng. Concerning the
manner of correction, we may say that in
or opinion it is not punishment; for when
person punshes a child he proceeds upon
principle Of revenge and retaliation, which
is generally to satisfy fit of anger, and
only tends to harden in crime, when milder
means might soften and reclaim the erring
But the person that corrects, should do i,
alone upon the conviction of a serious duty
and then he will feel the weight of his re
sponsbility, and the pain he manifests il
consequence Of the necessity under which
he is placed, will do more to soften ths
heart and impress thereon the principles o
virtue, than all the punishments thut cal
be devised.
But some will OBJECT to all this; that i
is far less trouble to write and teach sucl
doctrines than it is TO follow then 10 b,
our practice. Becsuse there are difficultie
and severe trials in the way, shall we there
fore refuse to attempt the performance o
our duty! Should not these very difficulties
, be the means of arousing US, and causing
us to act at once, before they shall become
too formidable! Is the well being OF oul
children. their character as individuals-
their influence upon society, and their hap
} pness here and hereafter. things of so little
worth TINT we shall put forth no efforts to
save them from ruin; but fold our arm, id
hopeless Indifference as it regards their
fatel Surely If anything can awaken us
from our lethargy g. lead us more dligent.
ly to the performance of our duty, il mus,
be the interests of the rising generation.
We have thus briefly attempted to poin,
out the causes. with their remedy, Of the
prevailing immortality that is cursing our
land. Though we have not named all the
causes. yet, we believe we have mentioned
those that lie at the fountain head. And
unless we direct our efforts for reformation
there, we shall ever sgnalIy fail in our
attempts.
we may enact one prohibitory law after
another, to check the cause of crime: but
If we neglect to educate the heart as well
as the head Of the people, they will be
little better than dead letters upon our
statute books. Believing that the principles
OF education we have thus briefly laid
down, If they were faithfully carried out
would lessen the catalogue of crimes
snatch thousands Of valuable lives from the
vortex Of ruin and misery. and bring iov
and gladness to many sorrowing and break.
ing hearts, we shall leave the subject,
hoping that It may awaken in the minds
OF many, their slumpering thoughts nd
send them forth to action and to duty.
REVIEWER.