Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-03
MISCELLANY V.
lMs talla Ilmcd
Home Education.

management, or that all children manifest
disrespect to pa'ernal authority, but there
appears quite 10 much insuhordination
among children at the present day, and
where the fault lies is the question.
The time of majority is fixed by statute
in most civilized countries, therefore, the
rights and obligations Of the parties are
settled by law, so far as civil authority is
concerned. The right of the parent is to
command, and the duty of the child is to
obey. The relation is of superiority, and
inferiority. But it sometimes seems that
the minor becomes his own master quite too
soon, reversing of the natural and legal
order of things, resulting in great dsad-
vantage to both parties.
This condition of things ought not to be ;
the authority Of the parent should be sus-
tanned, and the happiness Of the child, and
the welfare of society promoted, as the le
gitimate result. 1t is wisdom on the part
of parents to examine this matter, and find
if possible, the prime cause of so much dis
order and evil in the relations of parent and
child, and especially does the interest of the
child demand the examination and correc-
tion and if the fault is with the parent, great
is his possibility to the child and to So
ciety.
The character of the child reflects the
character of the parent to a great extent,
hence, if the parent would preserve his au.
thority, he must manifest at all times, dig
nifty and decision of character, consistency
of action, discretion of language, blending
affection with an instruction which is adap-
ted TO the susceptibilities Of the child
The parent should insist upon strict obedi-
ence in small as well as greater matters, and
his government should be administered with
impartiality, if not, jealously, constant bick-
ering. contention, and disrespect for his
authority will be the inevitable result. 1t
is of the greatest importance that precept
and example harmonize to instruct the
cl Id that blasphemy is an awful sin, and
il the unguarded and excited moment utter
the horrid oath, little force will attend the
instruction, but greater the example. If
the child is taught to guard against passion,
Jealousy and evil speaking, and in his pres
ence passion manifests itself, and evil speak
ing is practiced, the precept viii be unheed-
ed, and the example initiated. To teach
the child the evil Of intemperance, the i'm
portanee of honesty and punctuality in
business, and the example of the parent is
of an opposite character, then the errors
that should be avoided lbecome incorpo-
rated with the youthful character.
A vast amount of evil arises from the
neglect of parents to give their children
employment, physical or intelectuaL but left
to range thestreets and by-places, acquiring
habits that will entail misery upon their ex'
istence; therefore, if parents would avoid
: difficulty in this direction, they should teach
their children to be industrious and prudent
both in the use of time and money. Par
ents often err in too liberal supply oi
money, the value of which is unappreciaed
consequently it is expended with reckless
prodigality If parents would not endure
h the torture of seeing their children on the
way TO ruin, they should teach them the i'm
uortance of honestly accumulating by their
own industry, which will result in an appre-
citation and right use of their possessions, and
especially an appreciation and right use OF
valuable time, both in the acquisition OF
gold as well as intellectual treasure.
Another difficulty often manifesting itself
in society, is caused by feeling of superb
ority in consequence of pecuniary ability
creating distinction, the rich on the one
) hand, the poor on the other. Often have
We been panied TO see the child OF poverty
and misfortune coldly neglected and insulied
by those who inherited a competency; such
treatment cannot fail TO cause the poor boy
or poor girl, unless possessed Ct deter
mined will to oppose oppression, to turn
aside in the midst Of their rdiscouragements,
aud left by the naughty and tyrannical OF
the higher society, with their education
neglected. sensibilities blunted, morals en-
dargered, and society injured. We do not
believe that God ever designed that rich
person should be considered better than a
poor person, from the consideration OF
wealth, but believe that right action should
be the standard of merit. The occupant OF
the mansion. and the cabin, those attired IN
purple and fine linen, and the rag gatherer,
should be alike respected, if alike virtuous.
Children of the opulent should be instruc-
ted to respect and associate with the virtu-
Gus poor. the fortunate to bless the unfortu-
nate, the strong to protect the weak, and
each should strive 10 benefit the other, and
instead of promoting petty aristocracies,
: build up a platform on which the rich, the
poor. the high and the low can stand alike,
conscious of equa! merit and of equal rights.
Although the public mind is in the midst
of intense excitement, it may be well that