Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-11-12
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
DUTIES OF PARENTS.

interesting and instructive paper, to say
word on this important subject. There
is nothing that should engage our atten-
ton SO much, as the manner by which we
may enhance the happiness, and promote
the welfare of the youth; for upon the in
telligence and correct education of the
youth, depend the perpetuity Of the insti-
buttons Of our great Commonwealth. It
is almost impossible to lsg9*oo strict with
the youth Of the prese xday. The in
sturction Of the BibleY 2" Train up
child in the way he SKI ago; and when
he is old he will not oep3rt from it,
There can be no better doctrine than that.
Parents are called upon to be very strict
with their children in such place, for
instance, as this; for in every town and
city, temptations Of the most alluring and
inviting character are held out, to lead
the bey-the young mantle anybody,
who is simple enough TO be led away from
the path Of virtue, honesty, and sobriety.
How many youths have been hepelessly
ruined from not being trained up in the
way they should go in youth. There is
fearful responsibility resting upon every
Parent. When we read the lives Of such
men as Franklin. W.s,1;ngton, Newton,
1nd Others, we leen "a & they had par.
snts who taught tlSsiSssslseye and 1oso they
should spend their youthful, their evening
and leisure hours. We do not learn that
they permitted them to waste their time
during the day, or aif~wed them to run
up and down the streets till bedtime, as
sociating with the vile and vicious, nor
encouraged them to frequent the places
which are only calculated to degrade,
demoralize, and ruinsall who are inauenc-
ed to walk in those paths-the paths of
vice of every description and cast. But
on the contrary they were taught to spend
their evening hours at home, in the do
nestle circle, engage in the perusal of
such books as were calculated to instruct
enrich and elevate them, and prepare
them to become men in principle, when
they become men in size; for all are not
men who wear the human form; "and with
the talents of An an angel man MAJ be
FOOL" unless he have fixed principles of
right, and by them is determined to be
goyerned. And tiss. ss,tiiidl their
youthful home, and laid the foundation Of
their after greatness and usefulness.-
And when will such men as those be for
getten? Never in the history of. the
world. And are they no Washington
and Franklin boys living now? Yes,
plenty of them all around me; we meet
them at every corner of the street almost.
All they need to make them the right kind
of men when grown up, is proper instruc-
ton, training, and drilling. They must
be taught in youth to depend upon them
selves-to think for themselves-to act
for themselves-in work they must have,
and carry out the nsble and sterling prin-
ciple Of selfdepeadeace. They must be
taught that F." Life is what they make it."
That they shape their own destiny-that
whatever they are in after life, depends
upon them to say and decide. What an
army of boys is soan to step on the stage
of active life-to take their places some
where in the broad arena. They should
be taught, that 6 Eekeaex and Shame frpm
no condition rise. Act we'll your part,
there all the homer lies" Reader, art
thou not parent? Where is that son
of thine tonight? Is he under thy con-
troll, or not? Is he being trained in a
proper manner; SO that he will be able to
discharge the duties which will fall upon
him when he is man? Or is he associa-
ting with the vulgar and profane, vile
and vicious, learAing che lessons of pro-
family, dishonesty, and immortality? Have
you no regard for that immortal being
whom God has placed under your juris-
dlction? Is it possible that there is boy
in this place learning a lesson Tonight
that will prove his ruin in after years?
perhaps so-yet We hope mot. But if so,
noac is the time to save him. Now is the
time to impart that wholesome iustruc-
ton to him, which is as essential as food,
and warn him Of the dangers to which he
is exposed noso, and to which he aUiN be all
through life.e Nov is the time to pray
for him, and aslSs1iod to lead him in the
path of virtue, honesty and truth. Par
ents are responsible for the conduct of
their children, not only while they are
children, but all through life. How often
is tho case, where parents are degraded
and vicious, the children are of the same
stamp. How universal almost on the 9TH
er hand, is it, that where the parents are
pious, and the influences of piety, and re.
ligious instruction are brought to bear
upon the youthful minds, that they take
to good ways, grow up yirtuously, and be-
come honest and useful members of sscie.
ty-an honor to themsslves-to their par
ents-to their friends-and to Cod
That salutary influence, the prayers of a
parent has upon the mind of boy. None
can tell the powerful and restraining in.
auences they have, and the good impress.
sions they make upon the minds of the
youth. We could refer you to such ex.
amples as the Father Of his country, and
Sir Isaac Nsesasp - ose mothers as you
are aware vel 9plous, werv thsir FIRST
teachers, and made the first impressions
upon their minds; and the world knows
how lasting they we're, and what eminent,
useful, and greatmen they became. And
the favorite study of the great Newton
was the Bible; SO with Washington
Children should be taught to respect, and
love the Book Of God. Parent is thy
children the object of thy applications
and petitions with God? Thy children
are now at home perhaps, but soon they
must leave the paternal roof, and go out
in the wide world, to contend with its diff
6culties its temptations, and iss vices
On discharge thy duty toward that one
ere he or she leave thee, which may be,
perhaps, forever. Impart to him or her
that advice, admonition, and instruction,
which will enable theIg to buffet with the
storms Of life, and its ares, successfully,
Il IL ~ Al IL =.