Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-08-06
Parental influence.

Thcro are some parents who have
no special views for the future of
their children, or at least none that
mould the daily scheme of their own
lives and plans, They feed, clo;hc
and educate them, but arc too much
occupied with business or .plcasur,
to turn their hearts to this as the
highest of earthly aims, to form de-
liberatc plaps as to the habits; com
panions, and preparation of those
children for their place in the world.
Oblers, whose hearts arc deeply set
on their offspring, have erroneous or
injurious aims for them; some wear
out their lives in accumulating wealth
for tho.n; others spend all their ener-
gies in making them agreeable and
fashionable; and others sacrifice all
to their ambition, and cherish, by cx-
ample and precept, above all else, the
love of prominence. Some parents
there arc Of different stamp, rcli-
Sious, we'll meaning, but superficial,
whose only desire for their childr, II
! is, that they should become the sub
jccls 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 desires and
aims for their children, will deny that
they arc in some respects onc.sided
and defective, too often lacking that
breadth Of view, and largcness Of soul
that would take in all the needs and
and capabilities of the young lilo en-
trusted TO their care.
True views Of parental duty would
exa|t and elevate our aims and hopes
for those to fill our places, and lead to
renewed efforts Of sclf-dcnial and dill
gence TO fit them worthily to occupy
tho positions that them. Parents
should desire to sec their children, as
they grow up, exhibit tho the marks
Of Il correct and just principle, regula-
ting and developing each portion cf
their nature, and 80 governing their
bodily, intilcctu:l, social and religious
habits as to produce the most perfect
$ balanced and hcallhful character
Nor need we even too nicely try with
our metaphysical pruning knives to
disscct and ascertain how much is the
effect of education and training, or
how far'thc strength of q separately
rooted vitality would enable the
young plant to stand without injury
tho shock Of separation from the pa
rent stem. The physical, intellectual
and moral natures, each brought daily
under tho 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 prccocious or distinct-
i've kind that many may desirex Pre-
| cocious fruits and flowers are not tho
best, and they fall the soonest.
If parents would cultivate in them
selves tho virtue of sclfdcnial, and
then exercise a tender watchfulncss,
cherishing the of virtue in their chill
drcn, instead OF tearing them open to
see if they arc alive, or trcading them
under foot in thoughtlessness and in
difference, then confidence, then conf
dcncc would won and the most natu-
raj channels would bo opened for all
the maturity and experience Of ripcs
age to flow into the young heart and
mould the impressiLlo character.
Love is the first key to the child's
heart, and it is that it's treasures are
grst unlocked by tho magic touches Of
II mothers affection. Tho ha1ghty,
cold, overbearing parent will produce
the shy and distant child, and he who
closes the natural channels Of. love
and mutual confidence will have no
window in heaven opened to. supply
his Deficiencies. But the earnest love,
Tho judicious authority, the selfsacri-
ficing cxertiQn, the ,virtuous example
OF the true parent, will cause his child
to regard all his instructions with an
affection that will mako them sink
deeply into his heart and. mould his
life. IL fact, the whole prosperity of
An age or nation will greatly depend
on the welding together of the hearts
Of parents and children, so as to form
a channel through which the wisdom,
goodness, and deepest experience Of
the best mon and women Of all past
ages may descend from generation to
generation. ~ ''."
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