The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-12-26
lUTY AND HAPPINESS.

only too apparent that much OF the
trouble, perplexity and wasted health
which comes to middle age is due to a
lack of proper direction which our
people should receive in childhood
and youth. What is happiness and
pleasure, unfortunately is solved too late
in life for the many injuries TO health
and morals to be repaired. Youth is
full of exuberant spirit and hasty inn
pulses, and if left to solve every prob
lem in life for itself, one who thinks
with any proper consideration can but
see that our young people have to con-
tend at disadvantage with the world,
and problems of life, ever new,
which Is scarcely elsewhere to
be found. What books are to pro-
fessional men in their particular de-
partments, parents and pastors and
teachers should be to childhood and
early youth. What would the differ
ent professions now be if they were
not supplied with the Investigations
and experience of the past ? The
kno Wedge which a man has obtained
in an original way, founded solely up
on his own experience, is but a small
part of what he knows.
Just such a provision as this men-
toned above, in the proper ordering of
the family, and in society on a more
extended scale, has been made for
childhood and youth. First, the par
ent has Il responsibility, and in a Sec
ondary way, the teacher and
the pastor; but it is only
too plain that if the duty of
the parent is not performed the teach
er and pastor is utterly helpless. Their
work can only be such as i'll or well
laid foundations will receive. With
out good examples in home life and
proper direction in riyyouth too much
space comes in between
childhood and those who would right
ly lead and teach. And the result is,
we hear of "wild oats" and riotous
living, thirst for excitement and slim
ulaiing novels. 1t is too apparent to
need mention here, that there is a
great responsibility somewhere. Much
that we complain of is accepted and
acquiesced in, but only in
way after all as n respectable subter-
fuge to cover up responsibility.
The plea of "wild oats" is a mis-
chievious heresy, and the excitement
and the revel to which we aliude are
destroyers of morals and bodily health.
ThOse who have the responsibility of
rearing children should honestly as
sume il, and not leave the dear little
ones to grow up as best they may, wan
dering in unexplored paths without
guide or counsel. Children and youth
cannot form society. Society, to be
worth the name, must have stable ele-
have the direction and
control of mature aye and experience.
1t admits into its circle, in proper
ways and places, childhood and
youth. 1t leads and teaches, eX-
acts difference and respect where
difference and respect is due. Itincul-
Gates proper notions of education,
which is to train the young for the du-
lies and enjoyments of life, fitting
hem for,work-that education which
gives such strength and exercise to
heir faculties that they may be of
good service in the conflict and strug-
gle which awaits every one who is des-
ined to assume the duties of manhood
md womanhood, but that state of life
,annot be happy where so much that
s right, and, therefore, necessary, has
lot been acquired, where SO much that
s wrong has been done and. cannot be
lndone.