Connecticut western news., 1873-10-03
MO-. 12.
Correcting Faults.

In the philanthropic exertions of the
 present day there is much more energy
 expended upon negative than upor
 positive work. We see the vices that
 atfilct mankind, and try to subdue
 them; we see error and try to extermi.
 nate it; we see oppression and tyranny
 flourish, and endeavor to crush it. Ou1
 legal enactments, our public and social
 reforms, our private benevolence, all
 point Tn one direction, that of restraint,
 counteraction, antagonism. The same
 IS true, Tn great measure, with regard
 to moral education. Parents and teach
 CTS are aiming to correct faults, to hin- der mistakes, to avert evil influences.
 to check folly, to oppose wrong doing.
 It IS not strange, therefore, when we see the terrible consequences that flow
 from misconduct, that our minds should
 dwell upon its enormity, and our atten-
 ton be chiefly directed to the work of
 uprooting it as far as possible.
 Yet the mission which education and
 benevolence have to perform in the
 world is less negative than positive
 one. It is better to build 0 noble edi-
 ice than to tear down unsightly ruins,
 better to plant flowers than to pull up
 weeds, better to inculcate positive vir-
 tues than to attack their contrasting
 vices. A great change has gradually
 passed over the medical profession in
 regard to the view taken of disease and
 its proper treatment. Once it was
 thought to be an actual existence that
 must be attacked and driven out of the
 system by violent measures. Now it is
 regarded rather as deficiency of the vital powers, and failure to perform
 their function, than as any foreign in- truder; rather as lack to be supplied than an entity to be exterminated. The wise physician of the present day, therefore, directs his attention to the work of restoring vitality and assisting nature in her own efforts to regain healthful action, and thus without direct attack disease is most effectually baffled. Something similar is the true method of treating moral disease, for such may all sinfulness and misdoing be called. This is the lack of moral health and vii tality, and whatever will most fully re- store and promote the vigor and tone of 8 virtuous life, will be also the most effectual in subduing and overcoming the various forms of evil and sin that now desolate the world.
 Thus, in the education of youth, it is not the wisest plan continually to bring faults to light, discussing and repre- hending them. They will be far more easily checked by cherishing the antag- onistic virtues. If habits of truthful ness, integrity purity and industry are carefully cultivated by the parent, there will be but little need of holding up for apprehension sins like lying, theft and profanity. The mind soon learns to tolerate what it dwells upon, and vice often presented, even for condemnation, grows at length familiar, and loses it's most revolting features. Certainly of- fences must be dealt with, and by no means ignored or slurred over. When they occur their true character and effects must be disclosed without either attenuation or exaggeration, and the | led to see that he has forfeited | the respect and regard ofthe innocent and | virtuous. But such experiences, though | not to be summed when they come, can not be relied upon as tho chief antidote to wrong-doing. The daily cultivation of positive good is the very best means of averting evil.
 Not only in the family and school, but in all the other scenes of life, does this truth hold good. To cultivate habits of and independence will do far more towards reforming the idle and than to heap censure upon them, however it may be merited. To nstil sense of justice and integrity, is ] much greater safeguard against dis honesty than the frmest locks and bars. To inspire the heart with ambition for worthy objects, and to infuse the desire or self-improvement, are better cor 'ectives of debasing amusements and vicious company than all the homilies hat could be pronounced against them. The earnest promulgation of one solid ruth is worth more than the violent de- lunciation of twenty errors.
 The employer who, instead of finding ault, scolding, and awakening in those vho serve him feelings of resentment nd ill-temper, encourages and stimu- ates them by kind notice and liberal 'raise when merited, is training them 0 habits of fidelity and industry that 10 stern rebukes and harsh severity ould ever induce. There is cheer ulness attending this positive method f doing good that is specially attrac- i've and winning. Fear, rebuke, and ] are depressing in their lHueuco, WA1lo nope, encouragement, z nd sympathy excite the faculties to re- : owed exertion, and animate the heart { 9 noble endeavors. It is true that it equires patience, watchfulness, self g ontrol, forethought, and, above all, l aith in human nature. It is far easier } censure the wrong than to cultivate I he right. To do the latter needs a opeful, earnest, cheerful spirit, not T asily depressed or daunted, and able | ) infuse its own nature into the hearts l f others. It needs a charity that $ lakes allowance for faults and short o omings, an untiring energy that will ever yield to despair, love that shall ( lelt all coldness. The results will d lore than reward the truly benevolent a cart in the real good accomplished. a he impetus thus given to moral energy a ill never spend itself the fire of wor- f " ambition thus aroused and quick ned will never be extinguishcd the ! ositive virtue thus established will O ever be overthrown. F