Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-17
Habits of Industry.

HABITS of industry are essential to the
prosperity and well-being of the human
family, as are knowledge and accomplish.
ments. Without these there can be moth
ing done in the world of labor, literature
or art and the best method of forming
well established habits of industry in chill
dren is subject well worthy of earnest
consideration by parents. That they
should be taught while under the influence
of home and its surroundings, is equally
necessary; as these habits cannot be ac-
! quired in maturer years in such a manner
as to be productive of as good results as if
learned in youth.
To be industrious does not imply that
all time be spent in physical labor alone (;
intellectual study, recreation and a proper
apportioning of time for each is included.
One may labor increasingly, and accom-
| plish but little, owing to an improper di-
recting of the energies, and lack of dis
cipline. Labor thus misapplied is but a
waste of life and time-thus the establish
ing of these habits is paramount duty of
parents, and all others having the care,
and education of children; but while all
work and no play is to be equally de-
precated with idleness as being injurious, a
proper amount of labor or study gives a
zest and relish for recreation, that is other
IL.
pressed with the truth that there is no
excellence without great labor" that the
sin Of mis-spent time is one of the chiefest /;
and that industry is as necessary in the ac-
| quiring of accomplishments, and taste
| for the beautiful, as in the labor for the
hands. Labor for labor's sake, or merely
to keep children out of mischief, is as dull
and uninteresting to them as to older per-
sons; and in order that work may be en-
| gagged in with alacrity, each one should
have his or her reward upon the fulfill
ment of their tasks There is nothing
lost by bringing before their mental vision
| examples of historic renown-of individ-
uals who have earned an honorable posi-
tion by constant, earnest endeavor. Chill
dren should be taught that labor is a bless.
ing-that it is ennobling, rendering them
self-reliant, happy, and essential to their
| physical, mental and moral development
They should be taught to feel pride and
dignity in their work, and in the neatness
and dispatch with which it is done. They
should be taught 20 labor for themselves,
for others and for the acquiring of wealth
"Not to hide 1t in hedge,
Not for train attendant;
| But for the glorious privilege,
OF being Independent"
All this is as equally applicable to girls
as boys; they, too, need active minds, and
skillful hands, and there is no reason why
they should not be educated to bear their
proportion of care and responsibility; ed
ucated to know that they must work, and
that they are dishonored if willing to "eat
the bread of idleness," and be dependent
on the exertion of others.
They should be made to feel that there
is something higher in life than being the
INDUCED pet of the household, or an OBJ
| iect of admiration because of some beauty
of form or feature. They should know
that they are none the less lovely in form
or character for being educated in such a
manner that they will be able to maintain
themselves with credit and respectability,
if untoward circumstances should ever
require it, There is nothing so bitter to
the soul as the feeling of utter helpless
ness experienced by those who have no
knowledge OF useful industry in their hour
of need.
Much Of the out-cry and lament of the
inetficiency of domestic servants would
cease did mothers feel the importance of
teaching their daughters to assist them in
their household duties, thus relieving them
from incessant toll, and giving their chill
dren LESSONS that will be serviceable in
after years. Mothers frequently attempt
to excuse their remissness by asserting
"that it Is too much trouble" Children
are more plague than profit in teaching"
! ETC., ETC., forgetting that with these little