The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-01
TOE lne National Era
C R 0 A K | N G s.


Names are significant. | do not mean that
they are always translatable, like the old He
brew names, which had meaning and sirnif-
canoe. This is the case too, with the names
our own Indians, and / leave this hint for the
benefit of those who maintain that our abort
gines are the descendants of the lost Ten
Tribes.
But even names given now carry their mean
ing. You find two girls in school, sitting side
by side; one is Olivia Araminta, and the other
Rachel Ten to one, the mother Of the FIRST
| reads sentimental novels; the other prefsss her
Bible, and the character of the girls answers to
their training.
Our Puritan ancestors delighted in Scripture
names, though it must be confessed they often
showed more piety than taste in the choice they
made, and many poor child was shaclded for
life with painful name. 1t is pity children
could not be consulted in the selection, for the
fancy or caprice of another often entails upon
them daily and lifelong trial.
But the world is full of trouble
My grandfathers name was Abel, my grand
| mothers Beulah. There was some little con-
fusion of taste in this last choice, but at least it
signifed something good and pleasant, and, so
far, never was name better bestowed. In truth.
both of them were good, and goodness and
mercy followed them all the days of their lives
My grandparents lived in the most plain and
| frugal manner, with true republican simplicity,
and trained their numerous family in manner
to be most thoroughly good and useful. Edu
cation, mental training, and means of improve
ment, were not neglected, but mere superhuities
in living were sternly denied.
But they lived in a progressive age, and their
children went beyond them. My father was
moderate for our later day, but still we were
| fore US, and as children we were more indulg
ed in matters of taste and comfort. Still, as
look back, can recall quite enough of re-
straint to feel sure that we were not spoiled by
| indulgence.
But my grandmother was quite distressed,
and often imagined us on the verge of ruin.
She did not probably hold the belief of wise
| friend Of mine, who maintains that children are
not easily ruined, or very few would escape.
1t has been my lot to touch upon four gen
erations, in the period of our country perhaps
most marked by rapid change, from the ex-
treme of frugality to the extreme of luxury.
The times of my greatgrandmother | have
heard of but do not so distinctly remember,
when the state of the country and the war
which cut off supplies made it necessary for
most families to raise and spin and weave the
materials for their own woolen and linen cloth
ing. OF course, all were of the plainest descrip.
ton, and cost the almost continued labor of the
Il family. Therefore, when in her sons family
she saw the clothing purchased, and the daugh.
tiers only helping to make it, while they also
found time for embroidery and fancy work, it
looked like too great advance in luxury.
We are our own standard so long as we live.
Our great-grandmother, seeing these depar-
lures from her standard, was seriously alarmed,
and, after visit at her sons house, would shake
her head, and say, sadly, Abel will certainly
fail"
But fail he did not he prospered, and left
goodly inheritance to his children, beside the
good name which is better than great riches"
Then, when in our own family our embro-
derry also was sometimes purchased, when my
sisters actually had piano forte, and spent
their precious time learning to play, my grand
mother would shake her head, and look really
distressed. But had weapon ready, after
had heard the story of the old grand parents
tribulation and SO, when anything was said,
/ would look up solemnly into her face, and
repeat with emphasis, "Abel will certainly
fail"
Nay, the saying is useful to this day. My
children are carefully trained. The habits of
industry which ! learned, my sons have learned
also, and the blessing Of holy ancestors rests
still upon them. So, when they go little be-
yond my ideas in some things, and yield more
to the spirit and progress of the times, am
tempted to croak. But then cry out Abel
will certainly fail" and there l stop. They
are moderate, compared with those around
them; and, after all, we cannot stand STILL
The best precept is found in the best of books :
4" Let your moderation be known unto all men,"