The Van Buren press., 1870-03-29
NO4O
Helping CAildrsa 70 Lie.

Indeed, there are few children who WIN
not tell ies,-thc testimony Of their ~
rents to the contrary notwithstanding.
But Of two facts am reasonably suss.
Fret, that children's falseheods sre oftsa
as much the parents fault - their own;
and, secondly, that children do not hs =
much as grown-up people do. hot, - e
seems, only from want Of skin aud prae-
ticc. Lies are instruments Of attack cs
defence, and so may be elssssd - onso-
siye or defensive. Children's lies are q.
most always defensive, and, for the most
part, are employed In defending them.
selves against parents, nurses, slasr
brothers and sisters, and teachsrs- be-
ing weak and helpless. concsalment 10 70
their, as in the animal kingdom, the only
means Of defence. Children's lies .Aeo, IN
multitudes. Of instances, mste sttsmpts
to hide themselves from sharp ssnsuss
or sharper whipping.
Take a case from life. Master Harry
is sent to the mill one day in winter, but
with strict injunctions not to stop and
skate. But the pend il - inviting, the
boys are so merry, they so persuasivsly
coax him, that 1t is not in his social little
heart to refuse. or course be skates
longer than be intended. On rssching
home he is questioned:
"Why have you been so long, Harry
20, the grist was not ground, sud I
had to wait"
did you 90 on the pond9"
mo, sir. l didn't"
Here is pretty tangle OF lies. The
old gentleman runs his hand into the bag
and finds the meal stone cold. He rides
over to the mill to inquire about matters,
and finds that the grist was ground The
day before; he ridesj hotfie and calls UP
the urchin, who knows . grist 10 to bs
ground that will be hot enough. Here
Is disobedience first; then lie; and next.
upon cross questioning, 0 second lie, 81.
pianatory aud dispensatory OF the nrst
or course, punishment was earned and
deserved. But the boy did not lie BE-
cause no liked to, ner because he was In
different to the truth. He was subornsd
by fear He shrsnk from punishmsnt
and tried to hide behind lie. The RET.
uge proved troscherous, as Y ought td
have done.
But now is there ne lesson to pafenss
in this thingi Shall they hastily place
their children between such Unequal mo.
,ives ss conscience and fear! The lower
instincts in children are relatively Tar
stronger than moral sentiment. Con
science 10 weak and unpractieod, while
tear is powerful, and at times, utterly r..
resistable. the fear of pain. the fear ef
shame, the fear Of ridicule, drive children
into falsehood. Those who govern them
might at least remember how II was ~
thoir own cases, and 80 matags - -
help conscience against fear, rather thsu
by threats aud sternness, make the tempta.
ton irresistible.
Children are very delicate instruments.
Their minds are undeveloped ungovstns
ed, and acutcly sensitive. Men play up
on them as If they were tough ~ drums.
and, like drums, were made for beating.
They are TO be helped more than blamed.
One in sympathy with their little souls
will lead them safely amid the tsmpta-
tions to falsehood. where rude and i'm
petuous nature will plunge them head,
long into wrong. The ono element Of
real manhood, above all others, 10 truth.
A child should not be left to learn how
to be true, how to resist temptations, 70
how to give judgement IN favor Of right
and virtue. Here 10 the very place whore
help is needed--patience, sympathys
counsel, encouragement Instead Vt these.
the one motive, too often, 10 the whip
II. w. Beeehsr.