The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-11-11
1.-The Influence of Habits.

1.-The Influence of Habits.
4 There are few who fully realize how
greatly the moral character of men and
women is dependent upon the habits
formed in very early life. Much of the
vice and crime, much of the dishonesty
and fraud, much of the sensuality and
impurity that degrade mankind, might
have been averted had the unhappy vic
Tins been differently trained and employ
ed in childhood. There are certain con-
ditions which, if continuously observed in
the life Of the young will almost infallibly
prevent them from falling into habits Of
gross vice and licentiousness. On the
other Land, there are child-lives whose
natural Towering out seems inevitable..to
be impurity, selfindulgence and excess.
1t becomes, then, a matter of vast impor-
tancc to all who have the guidance of
youth 10 investigate this matter and dis
cover the nature of the conditions that
are fraught with such momentous re-
suits.
One of the best safeguards against a
vicious life is happy childhood. He
who always looks back to this period with
pleasant memories, who recalls a fathers
ready sympathy, a mothers loving care,
and a home brim full ofinnocent joy and
mirth, has but few temptations to guilty
pleasures. Those persons make fatal
mistake who transform their home into a
prison, who burden their children with
harsh rules and needless restraints, who
deprive them of the natural amusements
| of youth, who treat their childish long
ings and cravings with indifference and
neglect. The natural atmosphere of a
child is that of joy, and if his home be
destitute of it, he will certainly it in
other and more questionable channels.
Youths who have been brought up in the
strictesg manner, by the sternest authori-
ty, when at length the pressure of con-
troll is removed, often launch into the
widest self indulgence from mere reac-
ton, and always when youth is
cheated out of its natural pleasures it
will grasp at any available means of
redress
While, however, childhood should ever
be made happy, it should be guarded
against seeking pleasures as an aim. This
is most easily accomplished by giving
continual and varied employment to the
faculties. Industry is not merely means
of advancement in the world, but direct
agent in mental and bodily development,
and an importantsafeguard against temp.
tation. Nothing more surely leads to evil
courses than habit of incidence. Itpro-
duces ennui, discomfort, restlessness and
a craving for excitement, that sends many
willing victim right into the arms of
dissipation and sensual pleasures. 1t is
a high art, that but few of us have yet
learned, that of providing suitable means
for the activities of childhood. Parents
should see to it that their children are
busily and cheerfully active, for nothing
more surely tends to immortality than
habit of languid, listless inactivity.
Temperance, in the broad sense of the
word, is another invaluable safeguard
against vice. Let the child be early
taught moderation in every pleasure, and
he will be far less likely to launch into
excess in later life. Without this there
can be neither health of body nor free
dom Of mind. The child who is suffered
habitually to carry his enioyments to ex-
cess naturally continues the same course
as he grows older, and the habit strength
ems by exercise. Every pleasure should
be allowed which healthy organism
needs for its refreshment and preserva-
ton, hut the limitations should be care
fully taught, and the child accustomed
to control himselfin unison with the laws
of health and growth. He who thor
oughly acquires the habit of temper
ance in youth, and learns its value,
will be in little danger Of yielding to
gluttoay, drunkenness or dissipation,
when parental control is removed.
Sucl habits cannotbe established with
out earnest effort, and patient, perseyer-
ing energy on the part of parents. They
must realize the necessity of assiduous
care, and the far reaching effect of their
influence. They must appreciate the
great truth that whether their children
are tie grow up into pure, noble, and vir-
tuous men and women, or corrupt, vicious
and depraved beings, depends largely
upon their OWN present conduct. There
is a looseness of thought on this subject
that is most prejudicial to the public NOR
ais. The merchant devotes all his powers
to the complicated arrangements of his:
business; the farmer gives his best
thought and care to the cultivation of
his crops; neither OF them expect to-
reap where they have not sowed.- =
Surely the culture of the young, tender
and ilnpressible human being deserves
at least as much pains and effort. Let a
new view of parental responsibility be
taken, let the home be made the source
of pure and unmixed happiness, let
children be seduously trained in habits
of industry, temperance and self-con-
troll, and the vice, sensuality and crime
of later life will have received their
death blow.