The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-02
from the New York Observer.
The Respect and Love due from
Children 10 Parents.

IL Is not the reluctant performance of an
appointed task that fufi.s The spirit Of the
Filth Commandment. II is moi the willing
and prompt fulflmen, of duty that an-
swers the requirement Of that law. 1t de-
mands a sentiment Of respect that Is never
wanting in the breast Of youth who has
his heart in the right place.
The proad spirit Of the young, especially
in the present day, too oflen shows itself IN
throwing off reverence for the parent, and
assuming an air Of independence that will
not brook restraint, and preiends to grea:
contempt Of parental authority. II Is bad
sign when a child becomes bold enough to
lay aside the tender names Of Father and
Mother, or those biefer or more affection
ate titles Of Papa and Mama, to which our
infant lips were accustomed, using 10 the
place of these words Of endearnent those
coarser terms, the .old man." or, the "old
woman,"-afiecting to have no special re-
gard for the parents who bore hin-li,eraliy
casting of fear, and refusing to recognize
the relationship Of parent and son and
daughter. This habit Of speaking may be
all unknown TO the parents, and many young
people who are given to II are very cautious
never to use these terms when their parents
are within hearing. This shows very un-
alniable state of heart. II may be thought
lessness on the part Of some children, who
have caught the habit from their associa-
tions with Others, but no youth whose pm.
ciples are pure, will suffer himself to speak
Of his parents in any other terms than those
Of the highest respect, though they are
thousand miles away.
A father once said to me that when walk.
ing in the street he overheard his own son
speaking II him as 'rhe old man" and II
cut him 70. the heart, as II the boy had
pierced him with knife.
The habits of domestic intercourse have
undergone great change In modern times,
perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse.
But il is said that when the elder President
Edwards entered a room where his children
were sitting, they rose always, and remained
standing until their father had taken his seat.
Two generations ago, this was common
prac,ice in many families. Il was an ex-
irene of respect for parents; but 1t Is Tar
more worthy Of being observed than the
contempt Of parents which in thousands OF
hmilies has taken the place Of reverence.
Obedience and respect are to be rendered
with LOVE. Glove and love only is The
loan for love-" And there is nothing
poets and novelis,s may dream and write
of an ideal love that has no existence in the
eyery day life we lead-lhere is nothing in
The world Of human affection, deeper, purer,
and more enduring than parental love. Be-
ginning long before The object Of il is con-
scious Of the love It receives, strengthening
with every day and night Of helpless inisn-
cy, and Frightening with the budding beau.
Ties of Childhood and youth, il lives and
grows, surviving the waywsrdness, rebellion,
T ingrati,ude and apos'asy OF youth and fper
wears. Il follows the prodigal son OF
daughter into the street. into the prison. Il
; lives ON when neglect and insolence and
inpeni,epce would crush Il, and scorn i,
, and shu, the heart forever against il. II
bleeds and weeps, and lives on to weep and
bleed, and would give rivers OF tears and
. blood TO bless the wandering prodigal, and
win him back 10 ways Of virtue and the
, paths of peace. II lives even on the grave
!. Of a buried proHiga,e, and when the paren,
/. has become ssln. In heaven, IL sorrow
ever en:srs that abode Of bliss, Il yssrnd N
, The parental bosom over child net lhsrs.