Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-13
Training of Children.

The instruction Of children cannot com.
mence too early Every mother is capa-
bic Of teaching her children obedience, hui
mility, cleanliness and propriety Of boha-
vior aud it is a delightful circumstance
that the FIRST instruction should be thus
communicated by so tender a teacher. It
is by combining aiiectionate gentleness in
granting what is right, with judicious firm
ness in refusing what is improper, that the
happiness Of children is promoted, and that
good and orderly habits are established. II
children are early trained to be dociIc and
obedient, the future task Of guiding them
Alright will be comparatively easy.
The training and education Of children
can, however, be only regarded as a means
to the attainment Of an end, for all acquire
ments, all learning are yalueless if they do
not make US better in our several relations
Of parents, children, husbands, wives and
unless they lead US to the practice Of that di.
vine precept Of religion, Thou shalt do
unto others as thou wouldst wish others 10
do unto thee"
Supposing that you have secured for
your children the benefits Of education, and
that they have been advanced in the differ
eut branches Of instruction, as far as it is
necessary for the pursuits in life to which
they are misunderstanding else is yet re.
qured of these to whom an offspring has
been given you are still called upon, as
parents, to attend to their religious and
moral training, and to take care that, after
right precepts have been impaired, your
children may net be corrupted by your own
evil example.
If parent suppose that his vices can be
hidden from his children, he is greatly mis-
taken for children are quick 10 their per-
ception Of what is wrong, and in reasoning
upon it, and initiating it; aud if, with the
words, "Thou shalt not steal" 10 your
mouth, you nevertheless make use of any
thing not your own, or take undue advant.
age of others, you are practically destroy.
/ ing the foroo Of the precept, and teaching
your children to be dishonest.
How can it be expected that your chill.
dren will have a horror Of drunkenness, il
they ever see you drunk, or if drinking i,
talked of by you as an object of gratifca.
tion2 If you encourage your children by
promises to confess fault, and afterward.
punish them for it, do you not practically
discourage their afterwards telling you tn,
truth Or, if you hold that nothing is t
be said which can in any way injure youl
own interests, and say, Remember not t
tell so and So" can you expect that you
child will not lie, whenever it suits his Owl
purpose2
If you are violent aud Incorporate il
your demeanor, overbearing and insolent
will not your children be infected by your
example? and are you not crushing in tn,
bud the truly estimable and Christian quail
tiles Of genteness, forbearance and charity
1t has been well said, that " Drunken
ness expels reason, distempers the body, in
flames the blood, impairs the memory is
witch to the senses, devil to the soul,
thief to the purse, beggar's companion,
wife's woe, and childrens sorrow and tina
a drunkard is picture Of beast, a self
murderer, one who drinks to the health o
others, and destroys his own, as well as tn
happiness Of those whom be ought to pro
tect, love and cherish" You need not b
guilty of this vice, or the other voices, in
gross DEGREE, to influence your children b.
your example; and you must abstain fror
vice altogether, if you wish to train up you
children to the proper fulfment Of thei
duties, SO as to secure their welfare here
and their eternal happiness hereafter.