American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-13

happens that much time is spent, and
many opinions are advanced, and many
suggestions offered, before the decision is
made. And when the decision is come to,
it is not always the best.
Peoples tastes differ widely on the
matter of names. What is very sweet
and suitable to old folks may be very I'M
becoming and harsh to the juveniles.
Mary is music itself to many persons;
it is plain and common to others. MARY"
is !, perfect name. 1t is never out of
place, or out of season, either in the pal
ace or in the laborer's cot. Parents can
never be wrong in calling one of their
girls "Mary." She will never be ashamed
of it. Only, if your bright little girl is to
be called Mary" do not add ANN" it
stands best alone, as the queen of names,
requiring no additional grace.
Then, if the consultation be concern
ing boy, is there no name for him equal
in fitness and excellence to mary? think
there is.
But it is not Jonathan, or Isaac, or Tim
othy, or Nicodemus. In their places
these names are good. In the Bible they
sound neither strange nor inappropriate.
Take them out of the Bible and immedi-
ately they seem to lose their fitness.
Let parents exercise little discretion
in adopting Biblical names. Your infants
are entirely in your hands; they are I'M
conscious of what is passing. Do not
give them names of which they may live
to be ashamed. Do not put stigma upon
them which they can never throw off.
Remember that their future may be in a
measure affected by their very names. 1t
may hinder their advance, or it may pro-
mote their welfare.
/ once knew a family in which almost
every member had Bible name. The
result was, that the sons were called
Lot, Ezra, Jehosaphat, Amos, Lazarus
and Titus. They were to be pitied,
poor fellows. As for Lazarus he would
give half he possessed to get rid of his
name.
Some of the sacred names are most
suitable. We never tire of John, James,
Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Mary
and Ruth. But we cannot say this of
others.
But we have not yet named our little
boy. What is he to be called Have you
already Johns If not you cannot
chooses better name, if you must have
one out of the Bible. John" never
grows old in name though he may in
years. 1t suits either baby or grandfather,
king or pauper.
1 would, however, make one exception.
Is your family name the uncommon one
of Smith If so, do not name him John
Smith.
Having made these remarks on name
giving, and having laid down few rules
for the guidance of fathers and mothers,
let me, before the topic is dismissed, give
a word or two of caution.
Do not give too many Christian names.
Our forefathers were generally content
with the good old rule of comforting but
one name. Gradually their descendants
have set aside this wholesome custom,
and we are now drifting to the opposite
extreme. 1t is counted rather plebian
nowadays, to be able only to sign your
name plain John Brown, or Richard Jeh-
kins.
Be careful not to heap together names.
Two good names, as Christian names, are
quite enough.
Do not be too fond of borrowing the
names of great men.
Your child is not necessarily great be-
cause he bears great mans name. You
may call him Homer Jones, but you do
not thereby make him poet. You may
christen him Martin Luther Robinson,
but he may prove anything but a reform
er, either OF popery or of his manners.
l would not altogether condemn this
practice of handing down the names of
great men now gone; but l would keep it
under some restraint. We are SO apt to
notice names of this class; and very often
&c HotiCC, too, al dlStlCSSihS ulSplllty UC-
tween the names and the named.
l will add but one other caution. Do
not cling too fondly to family names.
Because your grandfather was called
Thomas, it is not Indispensable that your
son should bear that name. Three or
four Thomases in the same family create
confusion. John senior and John junior
are perplexing sometimes. 1t is natural
for father to wish his eldest lad to bear
his own name; but l would not adhere
to this rule. A change is often
an advantage. Too many Abrahams look
odd. A succession of SOlomons is not al
ways wisdom.
1t may be that parents who read my
will not rigidly observe them.
They will, in some cases, doubt my taste,
and will, after all, please themselves. By
all means do SO. Please yourselves; but
at the same time try to please others too.
In giving names to your children at least
avoid oddity, and decry singularity; try
to perpetuate good names, and abolish
ones.-Reu. W. Barker.