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

which flows on without cessation"
To the error of allowing children to choose
their own teachers and schools should be
added that of leaving them to choose pro-
fesson in life, or else not to choose at ALL
When you say to father what do you in
tend to make of your son? you ask him
very pertinent, very fearful question, ques
ton which every parent should study dill
gently from the time his child can talk. AS
years rolls on he will cautiously study the
child's inclinations, aptitudes and tastes
Before the boy has half finished his college
course, the father will often converse with
him freely, that together they may decide
this matter wisely. Many boy studies law,
or medicine, or theology, who would have done
far better had he confined himself to practi-
cal mechanics, commerce, or agriculture.
Nv deepest commiseraton has been often
excited by seeing the young lawyer, doctor,
or preacher who had evidently mistaken his
true calling. Here the father is often more
to blame than the son, in not fixing in his
mind that he is to work, and then in not
helping him to determine through what
channel his labors are to be directed.
But above all, seek to cultivate in your
child the social affections and the moral sense.
If this do not predominant, all that is done
in training the intellect will but increase the
child's capacity for doing mischief, and for
making himself and others unhappy.
First, consecrate your child to God. We
say nothing now of the form of conservation.
But do it in some way. The more solemn
and sacred the better The pious mother Of
Samuel said, "Therefore also l have lent
him to the Lord: as long as he liveth he
shall be lent, or returned, to the Lord. =
"And ye fathers provoke not your children
to wrath, but bring them up in tbe nurture
and admonition of the Lord" "And these
words which command thee shall be in thine
heart. And thou shalt teach them diligent-
ly unto thy children and shalt talk of them
when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou lieSt
down, and when thou risest up"
Paul commended Timothy because, "from
child he had known the holy Scriptures. "
Then teach them the sacred Scriptures.
If proper pains are taken they may be in
terested in the Bible sooner than in any
other book.
Teach your child to reverence God. This
is easily done. Teach him thathe is sinner.
Tell him the story of the cross even before
he can read that story. A child may be
interested in all these topics, and enabled to
comprehend them at very early age.
Explain to him the nature and design Of
the Sabbath and Of pablo worship. The
habit of attending church may soon be SC
firmly fixed that children will greatly prefer
going to staying at home. Teach them the
difference between praying and saying
prayers. They are easily interested in fam
lily worship, provided this service is not held
too late in the evening, nor made too long
either in the morning or evening.
Industry may readily be made source o.
amusement. They should be carefully taught
the difference between economy and stingi
ness. They should be taught that an indie
pendent spirit is one of the loyeliest elements
of noble character. By independence, az
here used, we mean that feeling which leads
one to depend as little as possible on othel
people, and which prompts him, in humble
dependence on God, to take care of and pro
vide for himself. And in order to foster th
spirit, caution him with all fidelity against {
disposition to steal, 10 borrow, or to beg.
Finally, the utmost pains should be takel
to teach children pOlsteness. The Chimes
have a popular adage expressed in thes
words, GA man without cvility is mai
without sense. W. S. w.
L