Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-24
PARENTAL INFLUENCE,


scheme of their own lives and plans
They feed, clothe, and educate them, but
are too much occupied with business OF
pleasure to turn their hearts to this 40 tbe
highest OF earthly aims, to form deliberate
plans as TO the habits, companions, and
preparation OF those children for their
place in the world. Others, whose hearts
are deeply set IN their offspring, have er-
roneous or injurious aims for them some
wear cut their lives in accumulating wealti,
for them !; others spend all their energies
III making them agreeable and fashionable,
and others sacrifice all to their ambition,
and cherish, by example and preccp.,
above all else, the love OF pre.eminence
Some parents there are of different
stamp, religious, we'll meaning. Lu. super
hcIa', whose only desire for their children
IL, tha: they shall become the subjects of
some sudden spiritual change, and profess
religious life in some visible way. Then
they imagine their whole work is done.
Few who will honestly examine their do
e'res and aims for tleir children, will deny
that they are in some respects one sided
and defective, too often lackirg that breadth
OF view, and largeness of soul that would
take In all the needs and capabilities of
the young life entrusted TO their care.
True views Of parental duty would exalt
and elevate our aims and hopes for those
shortly 10 fi'l our places, and lead 10 ,e>
newed efforts Of sel:denal and diligence
to fit them worthily to occupy the posi-
tons that await them. Parents should
desire to see their children, as they grow
up, exhibit the marks of correct and
just principle, regulating and developing
each portion of their nature, and SO gov.
erning their bodily, intellectual, social and
religious habits, as to produce the most
perfectly balanced and healthful character
Nor need we even too nicely try with our
metaphysical pruning knives to dissect
and ascertain how much is the eject of
education and training, or how far the
strength Of separately rooted vitality
would enable the young plant to stand
without injury tie shock of separation
from the parent stem. Tie physical, iu-
teIlectual, and moral natures each brought
daily under the developing and controlling
influence of virtuous principles, is what all
should desire and strive for, with respect
to their children. The best evidence of
this will not be Of the marked or preco-
cious or distinctive kind that many may
desire. Precocious fruits and flowers are
moi the best, and they fall the soonest.
If parents would cultivate in themselves
the virtues of self denial, and then exercise
tender watcbfulness, cherishihg the buds
OF virtue in their children, instead of tear
ing them open 10 see if they are alive, or
treading them under foot in thought.ess-
ness and indifference, then conf lence
would be won aud the most natural chan.
uels would he opened for all the maturity
and experience Of riper age TO flow into
the young heart and mould the impressi
ble character. Love is the first key to the
child's heart, and it is thus that its treas
ures are first unlocked by tho magic tou-
ches Of mothers affection. The haush.
ty. col, >overbearing parent will produce
the sly and distant child, and lie who clio
ses the ma ural channels of love and mu-
tuai conf lence will have no window in
heaven opened TO supply his deficiencies.
But the earnest love, the judicious au-
lhority, he selfsacrif:ing exertion, the
virtuous example Of the trua parent, will
cause llis child 10 regard all his instruc-
tIons with an afectionate reverence that
will make them sink deeply into his heart
and mould lis life. In fact, the whole
prosperity of an age ora nation will great.
Iy depend on the Welding together, of The
hearts Of parents and children, so as 70
form channel through which the wisdom
goodness, and deepest experience Of the
best men and women OF all past ages, may
descend from generation to generation..
FooTPRIETe OF THE GREAT.-Few
footprints Of the great remain in the sand
before. the ever flowing tile. Long ago
it washed out Homsr's. Curiosity follow.
Aim in vain; Gfaece and Asia perplex III
with rival stra.ford.uponrAvon. Th,
rank Of AristopIsues is onl,, !conjecturet
from his gifs to. two poor players in Aih
reps. Tile age made nc. sign when shaks.