The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-22
The Duties and Responsibilities OF
Parents and Teachers.
4n Essay read before the Gregory As
sociation, at MW Point, February 4,
1860.
BY MISS EUNIcE GARDINER.

hand, the most perfect Of all, being crea-
ted in the image Of God, an heir Of i'm
mortality, endowed with high intellectual
powers and moral worth. He delighted
to walk in the ways Of the Almighty,
and his bosom swelled with high and ho-
ly aspirations rs he contemplated the
works of His hand. Angels were fire.
quent guests in his lovely home, and even
the Deity honored it with His presence.
He was stranger to sin, therefore his
happiness was unalloyed. Such was man
in his primeval state, and such was he
who. first filled the calling of the parent
which is the highest and noblest that
the Lord has seen fit TO call man 10 fill.
Although cur first parents, by their dis
obedience, forfeited their birthright TO
their Eden home, where they will no more
watch, by the beautiful Euphrates, the
departing king of day, as he sinks to his
nightly repose, in a bed of golden clouds.
No more will they quench their thirst at
its sparkling fountains, nor appeasc their
hunger with the luscious fruit Of the
trees of Paradise. Never more will they
be permitted to regale themselves in its
lovely bowers, where they drank in a
thousand delicious sweets from the fair
est flowers, aud watched the alright
winged worshipers," as they sported from
branch to branch, sweetly caroling their
Makers praise. But 10 these pleasant
and beautiful scenes they must say fare
well--and 60 forth into the barren earth
to earn their bread by the sweat of their
brows and make for themselves a new
homo. And what shall that home be-
that is to be the birthplace of human be-
ings and the nursery Of immortal minds +!
Shall it in purity, virtue and loveliness
resemble the lost Eden home, where ho-
ly aspirations shall fill the soul, and no
discordant word ever mar the happiness
and quiet serenity of its inmates-where
mutual interest and friendship shall bind
by the strong cords Of love each "kin-
dred hearth" Or shall it be q nursery of
evil, where the grosser passions Of the
heart shall have unbridled sway, and con-
tention and discord made welcome guests,
and allowed full liberty 10 disturb its
peace and harmony? The last have
described are, alas! too often found.
While it is the unquestionable duty of
parents TO provide their children with a
home, il is also rs much their duty to
make it good one; one that will afford
them in their manhood years many a
pleasant recollection, and place where
they will delight to resort for rest when
the busy tolls and cares of the day are
done.
Mind is the most susceptible in child
hood, and the principles then imbibed,
will, TO very great extent, govern its ac-
tion in after years. Is it not the duty,
then, Of parents 10 make the home influ-
ences such as shall havea tendency to de-
velop q good moral character? Children
are naturally lovers of beauty; therefore
parents should adorn their homes with ev-
erything that is beautiful. But homes
chiefest ornament should be the family
altar, from which the sweet incense of
prayer aud praise should rise at morn
ing's dawn and evenings close. Neat
ness, order, good books, pictures, flowers,
music, and everything else that will add
to its beauty, and give it a pleasing and
interesting appearance should be obtained.
Perhaps some will think these things arc
of secondary nature and might be dis
pensod with; but contend that whatev-
er has tendency to cultivate the taste,
and refine the feelings, is indispensably
necessary-as it will provo very efficient
aid in forming good moral character.
There is one thing, however, that is
shamcfully neglected by great many
parents-:hat is, the physical education
of their children, especially of girls
Boys arc allowed 10 60 out in the open
air; they may wrestle, play ball, run and
jump, or pass their time in some useful
employment. In various ways they can