Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-01-19
Ghoite Wlisesllaag.
Two ways ofGovernins Chilare.

The best government of children is that
which trains them properly to rule them
selves, a boy who refrains from wrong only
or principally because he fears the rod, is in
a fair way to ruin; when he has grown too
large to be whipped restraint will be gone,
aud he will hasten te crafty his passions all
the more fiercely because of the previous
enforced denial of indulgence. The con
stsnt effort of parepts should be to teach
children that Inconvenience, pain, and mis-
cry, are the natural consequences of trans
greseion. Merely repeating this day after
dayto child will not be sufficient to i'm
plant it as principle of action. 1t may be
thus impressed on the memery. but not on
the life. Children learn to avoid physical
danger, FIRST by experiencing the pain re-
suting from it. No child will let fire alone
merely from being told that it will burn /;
but after he has once or twice felt the smart,
he will not only shun the fame, but he will
be more likely to heed future warnings,
both of this danger and of others against
which his parents may caution him. If his
constant experience be that the transgression
of the commands and disregard of the coun-
sells of his guardians are inevitably followed
by evil consequences which he can feel, ana
that lis nsin is the direct result of bis in
fraction, t., will ultimately be convinced of
the superior wisdom Of those in authority
over him. and dof thu ~ just and kind motives
in imposing restraint. ~ always whip my
bov when he disoheys me, nd yet | cannot
make him mind, i" was the reply of parent
to tb> writer, when urging the necessity of
proper discipline. In this case. and it is
one of thousands, pain follows the disobe-
dience not as direct result, but as an arbi-
trsry and Temporary consequence. The boy
might feel that perhaps the whipping came
merely because the fat her was dispieased,
and console himself with the reflection that
at some day he wonld be toe big to whip,
Or; az is more frequently the case, the
thought might be " will lsok out and not
oct caught next time !" A. an illustration
of another and better mode Of treatment
take the following, which occurred under
the writer's notice. A lady had placed a
quantity of grapes in a closet for safe keep.
ing until she could preserve them Her
little boy found them and slyly helped him
self SO literally that the loss was noticed. =
He was called to account, plead guilty, for
the proof was strong, and received not a
whipping, but the following just sentence
~ am sorry you chose to take your share
of the grapes slyly and dishonesty, when
by waiting little you could have enjoyed
them with tho rest of us, and without fear
or shame. OF course ysu cannot expect
any more, having eaten your portion, and
shall not allow you to have them. The
sentence was faithfully carried cut. Every
time the preserved grapes came on the table
| the little fellow felt not only the deprivation
OF the luxury, but he could trace the natu,
raj and just connection between his sin and
! its punishment, and the Lesson was remsm
bered longer than severe whipping would
have been. A boy who should refuse to
bring water or cut wood or milk the cows
or do similar work, would be more success
fully treated by being denied his share il
the benefit. of these operations, than by
scolding or whipping. Thus 10 most case
Of discipline, the punishment may be SO di
rectly connected with the offense, that tn,
child will wish, to escape the effect by avoid
ing the cause, and learn to do this habitu
ally; and when this is done\a long step 1
gained toward the practice Of self govern
ment, and ! Foundation Of gosd principle
is laid for his continuance III well doinl
when parental control can be ne longer et
erted.. ..Aj' ~ ,A.N =. 4