Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-01-18
For The RegiSier.
Elk Mp

Society may be called homogeneous
mass and is made up OF the various ages
and characters that mankind presents i'll
its growth and maturity. In its devel-
opment and progress it is true that no
man liveth to himself" but from an in
timacy of association necessarily infu.
ences those with whom he is brought in
immediate contact. This influence is
intensified as the parties stand related to
each other and assumes force and power
the one upon the other, in proportion to
the recognized authority. Such is the
closeness of connection in the family
circle that the parent as a general rule,
daguerotypes the child, his example
and life stamping their images upon
him, and that to such degree and with
so much intenseness, that the future OF
the one is most likely to be the counter
part Of the other. Hence the aphoriSm
like father like child The force OF
example holds good in those society re
lations in general in which men are the
chief actors. "The child apes the man
is another current aphoriSm, its truth
fulness to be seen in the early woIds and
actions of the young, and Its tultillment
in the history Of thousands. Cntortu-
nately the evil example is abroad with
preponderating power and the natural
bias toward evil upon the part OF the
young gives to it an advantage over
the good, that nothing less than Divine
interpostion can counterfeit The
Young over credulous and trusting fail
to discriminate and detect the animuS of
the evil word or deed but rather think
it is admissible from the position and
character of the parties, srch being re-
spectacle in public estimation ; society
as whole, failing to brand so unexcep-
tionable course and conduct with It's
proper mark. This very fact impresses
the young mind in favor Of that, which
is in itself wrong and productive OF evil.
Example in itself being so effective for
evil or good, it is a consideration OF the
highest moment, the influence it has up
on the rising generation. They are to
take the places in the future OF the men
of the present And it is certainly no
more than all could wish and pray, that
the actors in the near future, will be an
Improvement in morals and purity over
those of the present. The foregoing
predicates being true, all must acknowi-
edge the necessity of such an example
being placed before the young, as shall
promote their well being and assist in
shaping their habits and character for
usefulness and good. What welghty
reasons might be added for this and
how strong the appeal to adults, whether
in the privacy Of home or the more pub
lie walks of lite, the business place, the
street, etc, that every influence be es-
chewed, that would have the effect Of
bluring a life in which is wrapped up so
much of veal or Woe 1t is sadly true
that the force of habit and the demand
of unrestrained appetite andpassion lead
men to be obliyious to the evil effect OF
their ways upon Others, especially upon
that class of whom mention has been
made. With them present qualification
prevails and the future is Ignored. n
contrary course and reformation thereto
Is prompted by every virtuous thought.
The stupendous results at issue, sweep
ing through Ices, aye, comprising eter-
nlty, determine the question.
TIMOTHY