The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-22
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Next to feeding and clothing, the parent
must educate his children. Now it is not
to be supposed that every child is susceptible
of the same sort of education, or that every
parent can command the means of giving to
his child the same amount of Instruction
In training and storing the mind special re-
gard must be had to the child's talents, posi-
ton in life, habits and tastes. All that is
demanded is that prompt, liberal and per-
sistent attempt be made to train and store
the mind to the utmost extent. When this
is done, if mental deficiency is discovered
or if incorrigibleness-or a controlling taste
and some aptitude for physical rather than
mental toll become apparent, then let the
parent devote the child-whether son or
daughter-to hard work and active business.
Many father educates both sons and
daughters above manual labor, but not up to
labor of any other sort. Sons and daughters
thus educated, when grown, become of all
others the most useless and miserable of the
race.
In the education of his children the parent
must seek the cooperation of well qualified
instructors, and he too, assisted by the safest
counsellors he can find, must decide who the
teacher and what the school shall be. A
sore evil under the son is that in very many
instances this difficult question is left to be
decided by the child himself. He wishes to
20 where he will find the least work and the
most fun, and the parent, alas wishes him
to 90 where he can 90 at least expense. If
ones child is i'll the best medical advice
must be had, cost what it may. If one has
few dollars in jeopardy, the best legal
talents must be secured to save the precious
treasure. But when an unframed mind is
to be disciplined and an empty head filed,
he must be employed for the purpose who,
having bestowed least pains and expense on
his own education, may well afford to teach
others almost for nothing.
And then the most unworthy motives Of
ten influence parents in their choice of a
teacher. A wealthy father of four sprightly
boys was once asked, how he had been in
duced to patronize teacher who possessed
neither scholarship nor character He re-
piled, "that man has been owing an account
in my store for FIVE years, and saw no other
way of collecting the debt" Now, this was
collecting money at fearful per centum.-
No one will be surprised at learning that not
one of those boys was ever half educated.
But the employment even of the best
teacher is not all that is demanded of the
parent. He must still superintend and as
sist in the education of his child. If the
teacher is worthy of his confidence, he il
worthy of his help. He delegates his au
thority to the teacher only in part. There
are many things which he must do, and which
he can do although his own education may
be very limited.
Nor can he plead with any propriety {
want of time for such work. He is bounC
to find time. So surely as God requires th'
duties, will he give time for their perfor
nance.
Every child, both male and female, SHOULD
be trained to some reputable and useful call
ing. No parent has right to throw upol
society sons or daughters who have not beer
trained to supply their own wants, and con
tribute their quota to the support of tn
helpless sufferer Every such youth is
public nuisance. His principles are unsound
and his example perniciOuS.
1t cannot be too often repeated that g
fortune is pond which may soon be emp