Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-01-24
Are We GUILTY.


and growing vice among the yosng married
people OF this country-a vice which invol.
YES essential murder in many cases. and
swells the profits OF thousand nostr uu ven.
ders. In thousands OF American home.
children have come to be regarded either
rs nuissnces or Injuries. In these homes to
have children is deemed q misfortune. They
are the bugbcar that threatens people away
from the marriage relation. and frightens
them when in it. Men and women more
and more in this country. hug to themselves
their selfish delights. cherish their selfish
ease, and consult their selfish conveniences
without a consideration OF their duties A
men and women. and without comprehen-
sion OF the fact that they can only End their
highest enjoyment by obedience to the laws
OF God, natural or revealed. There are
multitudes who envy those unblest with
children. and congratulate them upon their
poverty. There are husbands who erndse
every charm lost by their wives in the duties
and sacrifices OF maternity; and there are
[
the Interference of children with their indo-
lent habits, their love Of freedom and self.
indulgence, and their vain pursuits The
number is increasing of those who receive the
choices, earthly blessings God can confer
with ingratitude and willful complainings.
This is precisely what mean. and do not
hesitate to say that il is all a very shabby
and sinful thIng-and that il is high time
that those who are guilty were ashamed OF
it.
"A woman who by cool and calculating
choice is no mother. and who congratulate,
herself that she has no young ones tied TO
her apron strings. is either very unfortunate
ly organized. or she is essentially immoral.
A man who can tip up his feet over against
his lonely wife. and thank his stars that he
has no 'squalling brsts' around to bother
him is brute. Ii is time some one protest,
and hereby do protest. against one OF the
great sins anil shames Of tho age-a sin
which deadcns the conscience, bestializes tn.
mistaken creatures who practice (which
cuts the channel from one end of the land
to the other OF broader Gauges than that
which bubbles along its heathenish bank
with Its expiring breath Of infancy.
There is growing up a cowardiy DISPOSE
ton to shirk trouble and responsibility in
this matter. Il don't feel competent TO bring
up family of children Who does? 1t is
part OF your education to acquire compe.
tence for this work. Blu, don't feel Xix.
assuming such responsibility That re-
sPonsibihty is precisely what you need to
help you in the path you ought TO walk in.
But / can't afford it. Are there two pairs
OF hands between you and not sufficient IA.
'ience, courage and enterprise TO do the du.
ties OF life?
Ask the father and mother weeping over
the coffin Of their first and ONLY child wbe,b
er they regret that the child was born. Ask
them the same question in after years when
that little life has come TO be thread of
gold running through all their experiences.
Ii they give an affirmative answer 1 will be
silent. No. my married friends. YOU who
shrink from accepting the choices. privilege
bestowed upon you. you are all wrong-and
II you live you will arrive at 4 period where
you will see that there are rewai ds nd pun.
ishments attached to this thing. What is to
sustain you when in old age, the charms OF
youth all past. desire extinguished, and the
grass hopper burden--you SIT At a lon "
board and think OF the strangers Who are
to enjoy the iIuit Of your most fruitles. life =?
Who are TO feed the deadeniny affections OF
your heart and keep life bright and de,irabIe
20 ats close. but the little ones whom you rear
TO manhood aud womanbood? What is to
reward you for the tolls Of life IL you do not
feel tha; you-your thoughts, your blood
your influence-are 20 be continued into
The future? DO you like the idea Of hireiings
or those who are anxious 20 get I'D Of YOU
about your dying bed7 4. It not worth some.
thing TO have family OF children whom
you have reared. lingering about your
grave. with tear. on their cheeks and bless.
iags on their lips-tears for a great loss
and blessing on the ballowed influence
which has trained hem in the path Of duty.
and directed them 10 LIES noble.t ends2
This is subject which has not been talk.
ell about much publicly, bu, It i, very So.
rious thing with me and it ough, to be With
you. i love the family life esteem =
Christian family. the more numerous the
better, one OF the most beautiful subj ects Of
contemplation the earth affords. A father
thoroughly ehastened and warmed in all his
sffectons, and a mother overhowing With
love for the dear children God has given
her. devoted TO their welfare. and guiding
them by her tender counseis si,,;os, :, 81: