Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1863-09-25
EDUCATIONAL.
From the American Agriculiurist.
MORAL EDUCATION Oh GILL;
DRfN.

.aing. 70 teach him TO prefer right
doing is another, and much more
difficult task. The first eau be ac-
complished by rewards and punish
ments. the latter only by calling into
action his own conscience, and ac-
custOming him to obey its require
ments. Children trained under the
first system are like a clock kept at
the right hour To- frequently moving
the hands; but, as every one knows,
a time. piece will only remain cor
rect when the regulator is properly
adjusted, and the same is equally
trIe with children; they must not
be governed, but trained to govern
themselves. This plain, undenIablc
statement, explains why so many
who have been brought up with the
greatest strictncss, have when re-
moved from parental control, and
left to themselves, speedily run 10
ruin. IL was like removing the
brakes from an engine under a full
head Of steam.
Ii is an error 10 suppose that a
child can be taught to love virtue
by merely telling him what is right.
Some of the most graceIess pests IN
the community have grown up in
homes where the bible and catechism
were administered as regularly, as
as the daily meals. Scoiiers have
pointed to such examples as proof
OF the worthlessness OF the Holy
Book, a. a guide for life; but this
is no more reasonable than to pro-
nounce a.er OF no value because
those confined to 1t III youth, have
afterward destroyed themselves by
intoxicating drink. Moral truth
whether drwan from the Bible Or
other sources, is valuable above 9TH
er teachings only 10 proportion as
it is wrought into the lie 10y daily
practice. We may safely challenge
the world to show an instance of a
wicked man who from childhood
was accustomed to guide his life by
the precepts OF the Bible. The first
requisite for right moral training oil
children is the living example OF the
parent or teacher. The greater part
of education of children whether
good or bad is accomplished by this
agency Ii is useless for n father TO
chide for anger, and exhibit passion
himself when intlicting punishment
for the child's display of temper.
Every blow given under such cir
cumstances, will confirm the com
bative tendency Of the child. The
father who talks about honesty and
boasts OF sharp bargains, is teaching
his child the first principles which
may make him an accomplished
swindler. The mother VITO rebuke;
vanity, and yet INDUCES in display
Of dress and ornament, vii! fine
that her factions speak louder thar
words" in the formation OF the char
acter of her daus hter. Most OF TIN
fixed habits Of life, those whica d,
termine character and make or un
make the man, are the direct resul
of imitation while in youth, az
they who would be happy in thel
children, must accustom them t
walk side by side with thenselye
In the ways of virtue.
One of the securest ways to instI
and confirm a love of right doing ]
to give children an experience Q
the pleasure of such conduct. Fo
instance, a child is prone to selfish
ness. Punishment can not drive
out; offered rewards only appea! {.
and stregthen the motive it is deslI
able to suppress. Make sucha chill
the alomer OF your bounty to som
poor neighbor. Let him hear IN
grateful thanks OF the widow ic
the present received at his hand.
and witness the delight OF the scan
THY clad child to whom he has gv
en- some article of clothing. lie vi
participate in the pleasure, and 500
be easily induced to secure slnila
enjoyment for himself, even at til
price OF SELF denial, il the parer
watches for and makes oppor,unl
ties for him to exercise his own ber
evidence. Another good nut mus
neglected means of confirming rist
principles and actions In chlldrea
is a readiness TO appreciate and mar
with appreciation thar efforts 10 q
right. As long as the child's conduc
is unexceptionable, and causes II
trouble to the parent, he is too oitel
left unnoticed, but any departur
from this course is immediltel
marked, and perhaps visited W.T.
reproaches:: and punishment Tn
writer has known children to pur
posely do wrong in order to attrac
attention; they were uneasy AT be
ing lett as mere cyphers, whom no
body cared for. The love O
praise is a natural endowment. in
tended 10y the Creator to act as on
OF the strongest incentives to right
doing, and the parent who fails t
appeal to il Is both unskillful an
unwise. Although child feels al
inward satisfaction in good conduct