American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-01-03
Communicated.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

a few practical reflections on a much
ncglec Ell subject may not he wlth-
ont interest to ii large number OF
your readers, | respectfully request
a place in your valuable paper for
the views which follow:
Perhaps there Is no daty more
neglected. by parents generally, than
that which they owe to their oft
spring. Especially is this the case
vii those parents VIII" profess to
be governed by the teachings of our
holy christianity.
Ii is Il common saying that chil-
dten of religious parents are worse.
than others This. however, is not
strictly true, for the natural turpi
tude of all hearts is ankle, though
W. have il right ioeX. ect Il brighter
exhibition OF ,r.,l virtues from
those rduca ed lii the 1t: ic' ObS'.rN-
auce of religious duties, than from
those whose moral education is en-
tir.ly neglected. Trne, the majority
of children Of christian pareutlge
give i.ui poor evidence. That hey a,e
better taught than 9th. Is, but the
fau't hes with the parents and not
with the CHI drtn. How often do
we hear christian pa'en,S say, '.oh,
&c cauunt control our chli,irru
What ii huniiliatins confession. The
III .,tured mind aud will OF the adult
Incompetent 10 contrOi he passions,
temperS-aui impulses OF childhood !.
The man OF the woman who subdues
the fer"city of The liOI., and brings
him under subsection to their Viii,
would laugh all such parents to
shame, and Scorn their weakness ausi
imbrcility. Such Impotent excuses
Will nOi be received at the Bar of
God. He will require the salvation
OF the souls of the children at the
hands OF the parents, for He has
placed them under their care to be
fitted for His service. God has
gwen TO every parent the moral
power to mould aud form the minds
of their children for usefulness aua
honor, and if the, neglect to ex
ercise this power, He Will hold them
to a strict accountability.
Early Impressions are allowed by
all to be lasting. Prejudic,s and
habits formed in childhood are sci
dom, # ever, eradIcai Many per
sons who fill prominent positions in
the church and in society, have been
heard to confess thar they fOun:l it
extremely difficult TO d.-rach their
minds from those incorrect ideas
formed III early life. With VIVA,
caution then ought christian parents
to- regard their words and Conduct
before their children.
The education Ot child com
menres in IFS mothers arms. Theie
ii begins to unfold those affections
" hlcn are to mark It's tu,ure life
a,h mo hers especially have it In
Their power TO suppress, i'll Il great
degree. thos,. m;,!evnl,'n passions al
nature, and To excite benevolent de-
SlreS III the frs, diwniugS OF r.a>
son. Firtnou> h bits might b..
more easily acquired than mankind
IN general Imagine, If This period OF
our existence " ere attended 10 with
greater care. How many hours OF
chlldhnOd run to waste for the wtn
OF SeaSOrab.e instruction Tue
minds OF children ar always active.
They thIuk, they reason, and are
soon abie 10 defect false tpp.a
auceS and SiIphi devia Iou> or i'm
prnifirties. even IN their parents;
and were il not to' liz. plaln coritra
dicIion manifested many times ,e
tween the profession as,a H. ;ictlc.-
OF parents, ciIiltirru woul,i be .mot
frequently drawn by the force of
to embrace christianity,
and lead consistent and hnl, ives.
But upon mo hers ,ievolv- the high
est Sp0il~I!'lllti. Over the inf.I.t
THAI tmIneS round their nrcks like IA
vine to the branch, and the chilli
lispinG tire word, which drOy from
their tongues, to thosr OF marurer
age, they possess, or should possess,
a CON! r.,llIng influences. Their affec
lions, their hearts. and their desires
are III measure open to their i'll
Spect'on Enthusiastically they be.
hold the springs which move them
to action. God has placed them AS
guardian angels to those little cher
uDs which rntwlnr about their HEARTS
and call forth the exercise. VI their
affections. Did they but
know how many tears of sorrow
and bitter stripes they might save
their children by teaching them |
timely subj-ctlon and obedience to
heir commands, they would guard |
heir tender minds with greater Wig
lance. Many a child has been ru- /
ned by indulgence, and 10y false !
estimate OF their pr-coci"us smart
less, SD called. When they should
D. kept back in the nursery, they
ire thrust forward TO entertain Wis |
tors win their wit and intelligence.
What many parents esteem us
mart and witty in their children,
'thers regard as rude aud pert, aud
what delights he parent disgusts
he VISITOR. The oli adag. that
'chIltlren should he seen and not
leard," and which is a golden rule
II family government, is now igmor-
"a, and the result is that perrn-sS,
'uteness, ins"irInr ant. di>Obtdience
lIaIactrriz'. macy children of the
'resent day. Mol hers OCCUPY u
ar more important Station than
many :tIe aware of. Although :iI,-
'a'rnt y buried IN the private scenes
1 domestic life, Yet Ih.y have il III
heir power, by the ex-rtion of d
inslr talent. to do much good or i'll
D ansird. That child winch looks