Smyrna times., 1857-07-22
Original 4rtitles,
Written for the Smyrna Times.
T. d UC A TION,

Look at that heart-broken pair standing at
che feOt of the gallows, whilst he, upon whom
the hopes of their old age had been centred
their only child-swings into eternity at the
end of hangman's halter. Follow them to
their home, accompanying the remains of their
beloved, but disgraced child,-think of the an
guish that causes the fathers frame to tremble
al the thoughts that pervade his mind and lace
rate ais feelings. Look at that mother, pale
aad passionless, as she takes the last, long, lin
gering look of all that mortality has left of bat
was once living, active personfcation of man.
hood. No tears can come to wash away The
Pent up grief which is nearly robbing her aged
form Of vitality. Try to imagine the emotions
which have well-nigh destroyed her mertal
equilibrium and deIhroned her reason. View
this picture of sadness and bereavement, and
inquire into the cause of this distortion of. ihe
laws Of Nature and of God. Do we not read
in Holy Writ, Bring up a child in the way he
should 60, aud when he is old he will not depart
from it t!''-"I have been young, and now am
old, yet have not seen the righteous iorsa ken.
nor his seed begging bread !"-and does not
ihe experience of everyone show, that child, !,
with MS physical, intellectual and moral powers
fully developed by means of a proper education,
will fOt 6isappoint the wishes of his parents or
frends-but that the guod seed planted and
wisely nurtured in youth will show its mauri-
y in the useful and respected middle life dnd
the honored old age! Parents, in preparing
your eh ldreu TO go forth into the world, to dis
charge the duties of life. you are dischaxging
an Important lrust-one that cannot be loo
faithfully performed. Fathers, you are to see
that the means in your pow er, requisite to their
education. are nst withheld, but cheerfuly be.
slowed, shat those immortal minds God has
intrusted to your charge, shall not suffer from
your, neglect. Mothers, you, too, have part
assigned you as difficult as imporia nt,-'tis nc
,rihiag influence you are exerting in molting
and fashiODiDg those young plastic germs Of
Immortality that take so close hold upon your
feelings and affections but one which VIII tel
upon the world, an influence that will live long
after the tall grass shall wave above your heads
or The moaning winds shall have sounded Thy
requiem. No other person has 90 close hold
upon the feelings Of a child as its mother; nor,
IN theopinion of many, are there any other per-
sons who exert so powerful an influence upon
the sifairs aud destines of mankind, or nations
as their mothers. Said the venerable John
Quincy Adams, sthe old man eloquent !"
" "whstever have been such as it was, what
ever am such as it Is, and whatever / hope tc
be, Inust ascribe under Proyidsuce TO the pre
cepsB and counsels Of my mother = and hume
rous instances might be cited illustrating TIM
maternal influence. II has been said g that n,
man ever became truly great, who had not dis
! sisguished mother. Next to the parent, Their
is %, one who has 80 much to do with the for
nation of character as the school-tescher. an,
no tther person has SO ihankess task. Th
minister may proclaim the everlasting truths 0
the Gospel with all bis powers, and, if the peo
pie Are not educated, ho is not sure of any last
ing effects. How maRy Of The deluded subject
Of iarbsrism in foreign lands have beerfpeyma