The Mountaineer. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1859-1861, 1859-11-05

ttLNeSSe " RtNt4ts % ~ 1iqtpot W % III pt-
thize with little sorrows, and to double
little joys All this seems never to sug-
gest itself to many parents, who are
yet anxiously seeking the best good &c
their children. And thus they lose one
element from their home education
which would serve to make all the
others effective in producing the results
they desire. Children crave sympathy,
and Their hearts are drawn out toward
those who give them what they seek;
children must have amusement, and
those who try to make them happy
will have a peculiar power over them.
We are led TO say these things because
We have Of late been impressed with
the thought that q prominent reason
why there are SO many dissipated young
men at the present day is because
there are 80 few happy homes. H d
boy has pleasant smiles, agreeable oc-
equations, and, more than all, sympathy
and companionship at home, why need
he goabroadp And If he find none Of
these there, is it strange that he seeks
them where brilliantly lighted rooms,
joyial companions, and freedom from
restraint invite him away from the dull
evening at home? Said q young man
who had just been sentenced to the
State Prison, aMotherl you sent me
here! You drove me into the street.
when | was boy, to get rid Of my
noise and the trouble / made at home,
and this is the result!'' Parentsl the
course which your boys will take during
the dangerous age between boyhood
and manhood depends very much upon
yourselves. If you would save them
from the perils OF that period, be daily
weaving that thread Of love to home
and to You, which, though delicate as
gossamer, shall yet prove in the day of
temptation stronger bond than a
chain OF iron or band of steel. Do
you ask how you shall do this? Let us
reply by giving single illustration
that will explain our meaning.
The little one by your side asks for
q story. Now, if you take aim on
your knee, tell him in loving way
some little tale, and then send him to
his play again, you shall find that in
those few moments you have gained a
new influence over your child--the lit
tie heart will BIO nearer to yours after
that than it was before. Illustrations
of this kind might be multiplied indef-
initely, but one must suffice. just such
simple, thoughtful acts like this, adapt
ed to each period Of the child's life
shall hold him true to you and to the
right, when commands may prove all
powerless to restrain. Here let us not
be misunderstood. We do not mean
that you should SO educate the child
that he shall always be dependent upon
You for amusement; rather we would
have you train him to self-reliance.
We only say, Have always q thought
full regard for his happiness. He
need not see this in you; it would be
better for him to feel the sunshine
without knowing whence or why it
comes, to enjoy the fragrance while
the flower Is hidden-for it might make
him selfish to know that he is the OBJ
ject Of so much thought. We have
only thrown out o few hints on this
most important subject, we have simply
sought to lead you to ssthink on these
things" and in closing we would say
to parents, Let the happiness of your
children be made . definite aim in
your home education; and while you
are a parent, and so must counsel and
discipline and control, be at the same
time friend to be trusted and loved;
and oh, remember how much the whole
future of your children may depend
upon the kind, gentle, loving influence
OF happy home.-[N. Y. INDIE
pendent. H. .......t
a.