Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-13


a perfect cure.
written for the Rutland Heralo'J
n;sc;Diine.--The True Method.
I have insisted that it is not enough
to rebuke and punish the wrong, ID
family government; that parents should
also commend and encourage the rlght.
Allow me here to illustrate.
The child tells the truth many times
during the week, and in some instances,
under circumstances of special provoca-
ton to deceive, but the mistaken mother
regards truth telling as matter OF course,
and offers no commentator. Finally,
the temptation becomes too strong and
the child tells a falsehood, one lie against
MANY instances of truth-telling, and he
is assailed, at once, with reproaches and
nunishments. The reproof and chas-
tisement may be proper, both in kind
and degree, but if the mother has failed
to commend her child for his fidelity,
| and to encourage him in well-doing, she
has omitted the most important part OF
her duty. Every good principle and
purpose is strengthened by exercise, and
the evil is weakened in the same proper
ton. BY frequent repetition, the habit
of well doing is formed, and the charac-
ter of integrity established. 1t is of the
utmost importance, therefore, that every
possible influence should be brought tc
bear upon childhood, the moulding peri
cd of human existence, to induce and
encourage pure thoughts, correct mo-
tives and right actions. The smile OF
appreciation, a word of praise or some
trifling reward of merit, when some no.
BILE purpose has been expressed, or some
noble act performed by the child, has
the strongest tendency to accomplish
the desired object.
do not mean by these suggestions to
encourage the indiscriminate praise and
fattery of children by their parents.
This would defeat the very end in view,
by cultivating self-conceit and vanity.
l would simply call attention to these
two methods of family discipline, and
| earnestly recommend the habit of COM
mendation, within proper bounds, where
there is opportunity, as well as fault
finding and rebuke when these are need
ed. And no thoughtful parent win be
in danger, in practical life. of confOund-
;nrr tIa opa with tho ofbor
There is one instance where the moth
er neger makes a mistake in the appli-
cation Of this principle, viz: while her
children are learning the arts of 1caMin9
and talking.
Mark the feeble, staggering and awk-
ward exhibition of that little girl in her
first attempt to walk, and her half ut
tered sounds, syllables and words, as
she attempts to express her rude thoughts
in language.
Now, did any mother ever make such
a mistake as to criticise and scold her
little daughter for tottering to fall for
her awkwardness, and the crookedness
Of her way, or for her stammering ut
terances Never. Praise and encour-
agement only fall from the mothers
lips. Every look and word indicates her
delight in the efforts and success of her
child. She knows that all these mis-
takes and blunders result from weak
ness and ineXperience, and will in due
time, be corrected, and all the sooner,
for the encouragement and cOmmenda-
tions he has received. And why should
not the mother pursue the same course
in her general management? Most of
their imperfectiOns result from childish
weakness. Let her commend their
struggles to do their duty, and speak
gently and kindly of their faults, with
the full expectation that, under judi
cious training, time and experience will
do much TO correct them. Develop
the good and the evil will, in a measure,
die out from neglect, and what remains
can the more easily be eradicated by
discipline.
Children are the only examples of
perpetual motion" yet discovered.
And whence this activity? 1t comes
from the earth, the air, the sun, the
great source of vital energy discoverable
in vegetable and animal life This force
is ''pent up" in children, and is as ne
cessary to their vitality and growth as
breathing is to their existence 1t must
be liberated and for the most part, in
aimless activity, frolic and mischief
Why, then, censure or punish the child
for his restlessness? He has no ability
to keep still, and it is an absolute wrong
to repress this activity. Physical de-
velOpment and health and even mental
growth and vigor, depend upon it. Pa
rents should understand these laws and
adapt the treatment of their children to
the demands of their nature PLAY is as
essential as rest or study, during child
hood. This activity should, therefore,
be encouraged and controlled, rather
than restrained and denounced.
Another practical thought The high
er faculties which distinguish man from
the lower order of animals are of slow
growth and are developed only by edu-
cation. Like the habit of obedience,
reason and judgment are wanting in
early childhood. Hence, the necessity
of absolute parental control during this
forming period of life The mother
will be disappointed if she expects her
child to render spontaneous obedience to
her commands, or that he will Judge
correctly as to the safety or propriety
of his own actions. He never Judges
that it is best to do what his own inclin
atoms disapproye. He does not I0Ue me-
dicire, and hence refuses totake it. He
prefers to play rather than go to school,
and no amount Of reasoning will con-
vince him that he should choose the lat
ter lie has formed an attachment for
unsafe playmates and companions, and
does not see the necessity of being re-
moved from them. His judgment is
immature and unreliable, and hence
should not be appealed to in such mat
tiers. lie must be guided by the reason
and directed by the authority of his au-
thorisod guardians. PARExs.
Especial correspondence of the HcritldJ
s:ae inauguration Bali.