Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-27
Written for the Rutland Herald.l
Discipline -Ehe True Method.
NO. *.


The principle l have laid down, is
that the parent must govern and the
child must always obey: and if obedi-
ence is refused, it must be enforced by
whatever means necessary. 1t is unfor-
tunate that the mother, through neglect
or mismanagement, has allowed her
children to grow up in rudeness aud in
subordination and that the father,
through incapacity or want of time, has
failed to gain control over them. As
the result, they become more and more
turbulent and ungovernable in the fam
lily; will carry their naughty and def
ant spirit into the school and into society.
and will, in maturer life, defy the author
ity of the State, and the laws of God.
But if such habits have been formed, and
this disobedience and recklessness can
not be checked, except by violence,
every consideration Of duty as parents,
and of affection and interest for the
children, urges this severe course of
treatment. The amputation Of a NOR
titled limb is a terrible remedy, but it
often saves life. The Importance of
early training, to secure obedience by
gentle means, cannot be over estimated.
But if this dury has been neglected, and
ill-temper and obstinacy in maturer life
have brought these children into col
lision with their parents, they must be
conquered and subdued.
A practical question here urges itself
upon our consideration. Shall the child
be subdued in every instance, or pun
ished only for disobedience, and allowed
to retire without submission If the
parent has provoked the controversy, as
is too often the case, by some rash or
unreasonable act of her own, it may be
the easiest, if not the best, way TO solve
the difficulty, to regard the act of rebel
lion as final, and punish for this alone,
leaving the command out Of the ques-
ton. But there is danger in this course,
even in such cases. The child has re-
belied and has been punished simply for
disobedience. He has not submitted;
his punishment has not subdued him
indeed, he has virtually conquered in
the contest.
The parent should avoid with great
care every unnecessary proyScation
should see to it that her commands are
reasonable, and are given in the right
spirit and then she may insst upon I'm
conditional and immediat obedience.
If this is refused, she should proceed to
enforce her orders, and never dismiss
the case, until the objects accomplished.
No definite rule can besiven as to the
kind and degree of punishment to be in
f1icted in such case. Each judicious
mother may settle that question for
herself. The principle is Interchangeable
Obedience must be retdered, but the meth
cd of securing this iesult, may be varied
by circumstances. There are certain
kinds of corporal enlistment, however,
which are never proper or tolerable.
Among these are tanding or sitting for
a long time, in N unnatural position,
holding weighs in the outstretched
hand. and shaing the child by hold
upon his sBulders. Such violence |
threatens phyical injury and, therefore,
is wrong. When severe punishments |
are needed.hey should be adapted to
the circumstances of the offense. and |
inflicted promptly, deliberately, and so |
Thoroughly that a repetition will not be |
called Or.
An there are other important results |
of ,amily discipline which must be |
soght with earnest solicitude The |
cid must be trained to habits of hon
ETY., benevolence and industry. or he |
sill be lost to himself and to society. |
And yet, how many parents not only |
mpart no practical lessons to aid in |
forming these habits, but by their own
life ana management encourage dishon- /
esty. selfishness and Incidence. They /
practice deception in dealing with their |
and thus teach them to |
be false. They make promises which
hey never fulfill, threaten punishment
which they never infiict, and sometimes |
ell them absolute falsehoods in regard /
% their food, medicine, or sports. They
10 not realize the fact nor understand
he influence of such treatment mon
he heart and character of suscep-
IDLE childhood, but it must be disas-
rous. Their own example of truthful
less should be accompanied by positive
moral lessons drawn from life. and from
he scriptures of truth touching this SUBJ
ect, to enforce the precepts of honesty.
Selfishness, too, is often encouraged
md cultivated under parental example.
Ne may not expect benevolence to
pring up spontaneously in the heart of
he child. tits aplant of tender growth.
md must be nourished by divine as well
$ human influence. Without knowl-
dge and experience the child cannot APP
'reciate the rights and wants of others,