St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-03-24

! Inc guilt oil such an act; ptylng Inc
weakness of it, consuming the wrong OF it
up TO the full measure Of lis accountable
ity, yet we'll nigh forced to the belief of
an alienated reason; solictous in any
case to temper the citizens severity of
judgment with Christian charity, we
leave her with Him who only knows the
soul in all the strange and fearful Won
der Of its make, remembering that there
are these who loved her for what was
worthy TO be loved, and glad that she
stands unimpcached in character up 10
this last dark event.
This sad event will above all else sug-
gcst the necessity Of right early training,
and this without reflection upon this par
:icular case, for this would be too great
an assumption. 1t would harshly and
narrowly assume to explain the whole
mystery of the event. But chiefly think
this is Gods admcnition to parents.
They chiefly are responsible for these
children. They are responsible for their
very existence; more largely than all
others for the earliest bent ana training
of the soul. They are responsible that
these children arc sent oui into the world
to meet and wrC.ilc with life that they
must meet the realities Of an eternal
world And God puts scvcrcst stress
upon this responsibility. 81 sturdy and
urgent is it that He has appointed that
they must bear the weaknesses and sins
Of their children. They must often be
brought in sorrow 10 the grave because
OF thcm. Their life must be Il struggle
and burden because of them. And as
if 10 secure Il sense Of the sancIiiy OF this
responsibility by most urgent stress upon
it, lie ordainS that their sins shall be Wis
tied upon their children unto the third
and fourth generation, while He remgm-
bcrs mercy unto thousands of such as
love lin and keep his commandments.
Is it possible That parents assuming
the responsibility of committing these
souls To the ventures Of life, launching
them out upon tie eternal scene, can
themselves remain uncommlttcl to God
can risk Il praycrlcss home for them
have no lungcring for ight knowledge
ui' God, and his salvation for their chil-
drcn'$ sake? Do they not need to >ur-
render themselves 10 God il they would
have them surrendered To Him Do
they not need 10 lead a praycrlul life, il
they would lead them 10 praycrlul lives
DO they not need TO know God, il they
would teach them the simplest and CARL
est lessons of lite. What need that you
teach them the infinite meaning and val
ne ct lie. H. the inst course in the Great
school 81 existence, the pr,para,ivc sta.,
on winch the whole vast future depends.
hat need that You impress them with
the reality OF life; that it means not an
airy liuttrr Of vain and selfish existence.
nor absorption ot all their immortal en-
rrgits in the material gains OF earth, hut
4 living unto some high purpose, liviu@
10 honor God and do gcul To Others, that
when they die some may hr the better
because thcy have lived. " hat need
HAT yuu educate the conscience with re-
>pcrt To- t.ir duties OF life, that yua teach
thcm that it l. lin To 1--we wllluly and
sclii>lly, sin to prefer their nwn to others
welfare, sin not To love and obey their
God. What nccl that Jon teach them
that lie can not be- tro lony which i
filled out with LOVING Obedience, and Use
tulnc>~, that at longest it l. all too short
for this - needy world; that God La-
high purpose for them, that lie means
not that the lie OF any child should be-
worthless, IL il ii were the trash OF the
universe, but that this lie i ir, i.h,,l
with the possibilities OF immortal honor
or di-honor that lite indeed L. u failure
which Is not gwen 10 God and used for
others GOOD. What need that You teach
them the holiness of the scarchcr of
hearts, us well H. Ills aboundiug love.
that there Is sin in tl"ir natures from
which they need delivcrancc through
Him who came To bear thc sins G men
and del not alone that they may attain
TO some easy, selfish happiness, Int that
he may bring them i'll holiness before
his Father AT last. What need that they
tie TAUGHT that TIE cross OF Christ means
dclivcrancc from the Guilt and hondagc
OF sin. What need to teach them that
heaven means holiness that thrv who
walk the heavenly ways must walk
III white: that ii heaven Is companions
ship with saints and angels, il is far more
fellowship with God, 10 whom the soul
must be Icccnriicl or be never more at
peace with Him. What need t. teach
them that heaven Is near only TO the
soul that Is near to it, that i in moral
sympathy with God ard his son Jesus
Christ, that it i far away and forever
far away from the soul that is not re-
deemed from sin. What need of songs
that celebrate AMI books that teach the
matchlcss way of holiness and honor
the crown of lie Is the victor-crown of
holiness. What need that moral and
spiritual realities supcrScIe all weak and
bcggarly elements OF sentiment What
need OF u strong as well as gentle hand
in directing their path cut into this stern
world. How do you need to be wary
and watchtul of their companionshipS, of
the literature that falls into their hands |
How do they need the healthy tonic OF
books that will give them worthy ideals
OF life, Of duty, of reality, and not de
pravc their tastes for hollow shams and
shows with false and >ickly sentiment.
Can they be safely sent adriit to fall into
evil comprehensive, to flock promi<cu-
ouSly together, to pcrambulate the public
streets, to crowd the public places, and
stand in the way OF evil, to lose respect
for things that are high and beautiful
and good AMI TO win a place in the
scorncr's scat to choose their own
50 often dcpraving to all the