Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-08
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
Our Duty to our Parents.


Would that we all might be rightly i'm.
pressed with our duty towards our parents
Not only should We be sensible of what oul
duty really is-what is required of us, but
should always endeavor to perform it, in all
faithfulness and love.
| Who has watched over us from our infan.
cy, guided our weak and faltering steps fiom
childhood until now? Who but our parents!
When we were unable to help ourselves, in
sickness, and in health, through all the petty
cares and ills of childhood, a mother has
watched over us. With what anxiety has
she stood by our sick couch, and watched the
progress of disease; the quick, discerning
eye of a mother is first to see a change. II
for the better, what sweet untold joy is strug-
Cling for utterance,-the reverse, if the De-
stroying Angel is drawing near, ready to
claim her child, oh, who'can picture the ago
ny of the mothers heart! We may imagine,
but there is seeming soundness about it,
that forbids deception.
None can tell a mothers love. Our father
too, his love, and interest in us, is grea'
Though fathers sphere in life differs much
from mothers; their business leading them
to continually minge with the world, in the
jostling cares of life; their minds over burd-
ened with its requirements, and responsible
ties, as a matter of course, their time is limi-
ted, and even if they possessed it, opportunity
does not offer for that constant exhibition OF
tenderness ndaffection, which mother lavshes
upon her children A fathers love and inter-
est for the welfare of his children, is but
shown in the ready willingness to please them,
to furnish all necessary means for their CON-
fort, and so fit them according to his judg-
ment, in the best manner, to battle with the
current of life. A fathers object is indeed a
most noble one! What return should we
make for all the interest and affection which
our parents are ever exhibiting towards us? 0,
would that we we're most truly sensible of our
misunderstanding we be enabled by the as
sistanco of our Heavenly Father, to discharge
our duties Alright 1t is for us, to treasure in
our minds, and deem it of priceless value,
those moral lesson taught us in our childhood;
and ever deep in view their precepts and cx-
ample. Then shall we make glad the heart
of our parents.
Old age is creeping fast upon them. BY and
by they will be with us no more. The hands
that have so often been laid in blessings on
our heads, Or raised in prayer in our behalf,
will be cold in death the body worn out with
the cares of life, will be laid lifeless in the
tomb but the spirit unbroken, evil return
to God who gave it," there to receive its just
reward. 1t is said that the spirits Of departed
friends are watching over us, cognisant, Of
our dongs here. To many this is doubtless
a sweet reflection; it stimulates and encoura-
ges them on, in the path Of duty pointed out
to hem.
God grant that We discharge our duties to-
ward our parents while living, in that man
ner, which will be pleasing in His sight al d
theirs. When they have done with EARTH if
we are permitted to live after them, may we
so live, that when our time shall come, when
our Father calls us home, oh, may we be pre-
pared to dwell with them in that Better
World there unied forever, to sing praises
to our Heavenly Father. A LADY READER.
Montpelier, March 26, 1858.