The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-04-23

And this also We wish, even your perfection
As the mother bends over the cradle Of
her child, exulting in its beauty and in the
promise Of its future, if she be wise
"a well as a loving woman, what
thought takes precedence of all others p
Is it not that her little one may grow into
perfectionr That through all life's trials
and temptations it's soul may walk clear of
stain, and 20 home to its father in heaven,
more beautiful, even, than it came from
His hands7
If this yearning be more than the emo
ton of the moment, it will prompt her to
shed upon that spirit only the purest in
huences, TO cast around it the light Of q
good example, TO encourage it by gentle
ness and forbearance to perfect frankness,
to watch the unfolding of capacities that
are infinite for good or evil and never to
weary in her God-appOinted tasks.
q, what q world might this become, il
women were true to their work, il with the
name Of mother were blended in the child's
thoughts firmness tempered with gentle
ness, truth open as the day, patience that
never wearies, bearing testimony at all
times to q love, not without expression in
words, but showing itself deeper than
words can portray. What veil Of sancti-
" were this falling upon the head of way
ward childhood, what restraint when
temptation in q thousand forms assails the
untried heart.
But how often in the place Of this are
manifested impotence and fretfulness,
and how often is deceit used TO smooth
over q paesent difficulty! Positive false
hoods are sometimes resorted to, but not
long is the clear mind Of childhood thus
betrayed. One exposure, and poishn is
instilled into that innocent soul that may
work its ruin. If the parent can do this
how readily the child slips into the fatal
error. shielding itself behind the perNi-
cious precedent.
Think of this, you to " nom is committed
these unsullied souls, and who wish, what
ever their practice may be, that they arrive
unto perfection. Set not this standard for
them, however, unless resolved TO lead the
way, for alb know but lowell how much
more potent is example than precept.
If the parent be not truthful how can she
sneak of truths solemn obligations on her
child? If she yield to bursts of passion or
the temptation to fretfulness and impa-
thence. how is she to teach self-restraint to
the little being at her knee? If she forget
God in her daily life and conversation how
can she hope her child will remember Him?
Must not the parent become what she
would wish her child to be when the little
one no longer lies upon her bosom or clings
r. her protecting hahd1 She must lead
the way in which she would have her child
to tread.
We all wish for those we love, moral ano
spiritual elevation, with perfection for the
end and aim. We know not where to linn
II virtue short of that, nor would we have
the standard lowered. for Christ himself
nropsed il TO our exertion. thus aftording
to our Nmitless faculties = limitless feld.
We cannot Get it lower If we would without
violsting the sanctity of His commands,
and who that has commenced the WORK Of
moral regeneration does not thank Him
for the privilege of aspiring so high3
let no one underrate the importance OF 9
t;,neiv word to him whose feet are fain to
o. sstray. Gently and lovingly be that
egsrnine word expressed, but let no one feal
10 nt t It if actuated by holy love and fear
r. NAV seem like water spilled ON sand
Int II INV find . seed Of good waiting only
for the reireshing drop to waken into 70 iale
and that good plant may grow I'LL Il oAs'
nlsce the evil, who shall tell
AT AZ III events it IL q holy work thus &c
blend nrecept with example, and lead inc
wav into perfection; and the sweet con OF.
seriousness Of having done 80 will soften Inc
the darkest hours, soothe the sharpest pam
and make life q perpetual thanksgiving
and oblatiOn.
IN. T.. Farmer.