The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-04-16
What Children do for us.

We hear a great deal about what pa
rents do for their children, and the duty
and obedience which they owe them in
consequence, but it is useful TO us at
times to look at the other side of the
question and see what children do for
their parents, and not for their parents
alone but for the world at large.
Take the cases Of unmarried men and
women, or OF married men and women
who have no children, and we shall see
what an utterly iOyless world this is to
them-hOw destitute of all the saving in
fuences which follow in the train of q
newborn child.
1t is true that they do not always
know it; true that they sometimes con
graduate themselves upon the freedom
which the absence of responsibility
gives them. But what does this free
dom do for them? If they do not use
1t In caring for those who have none to
care for them it simply incIoses than
IN wall of selfshness. 1t allows them
to indulge their own whims and fancies
to their own destruction, and deprive
them at the last of all the consultations
which spring from participation in fam
lily life and consciousness of duty
well performed.
Children are really all there is in life
worth living for. There are many other
things which are pleasant in it, there are
many things which give zest to it, there
are many things which seem necessary
as relief from the absorbing care which
the rearing of family of children
brings, hut none present sufficient mo-
tive for continued effort or sacrifice: and
II 1t were not for children, therefore
much OF our stimulus to exertion would
be taken away and the most imperative
work OF the world remain unperformed.
Because the father supplies the food,
because the mother prepares it in a man
ner suitable for the growth OF their
bodies, we consider all the obligation is
on one side. But to how many hungry
hearts has the love of little child been
nourishment and consolation and sup
port? How many would have fallen bv
indifference or through temptation if the
necessities of little child had not with
held them.
People who avoid children for the
sake of getting rid of responsibility find
IN time that they have missed the pleas
ures only, not the cares, and but a few
OF the pains. Association with our fell
lows entails certain burdens and obi
cations upon all of US, and if we have
not voluntarily assumed any of our own
we shall find them thrust upon us and
be obliged to carry the weight without
the happiness OF strong incentive IN
the nearest and dearest of earthly ties.
Ch1ld!ess men and women uery often
console themselves with the reflection
that children are as likely to turn ont
Ill as we'll that time and strength and
money are frequently wasted uDOn
them, and, therefore, might as we'll be
saved or put to other use. But phvsi
cal science is beginning to show us that
cause and effect act as directly in the
production of the human species as in
any other phenomena of nature and
that care and cultivation bestowed upon
naturally good qualities produce as fine
results among men and women as upon
a fruit farm.
If this were not the case, however. if
the results were dependent upon chance
men and women ought still to accent
the duty of rearing children for their
own sakes.
The woman knows nothing of the
possibilities of her womGnhood. the
man of his manhood, until they are dis
covered In the strength of the love. the
efforts the sacrifices mot felt as SUCH
which are exercised and made for little
CuiluI6Qs
Is there any pride equal t. that which
the father feels in the growing daugh-
ter =? Is there any love equal 10 that
which the mother knows when little
hands clasp her and a soft cheek laws
Its velvet against her own?
Friends may grow cold, ambition NAV
be disappointed, slanderous tongues
may poison your good name, and
though all are felt more or less, vet
nome and the love and confidence Of
children are sure and certain refuge,
harbor from the storm, inexpresslbIv
comforting and consoling to the weary
and abused man, and heartsore and neg
lected woman.
But 1t is not for their simple faith
and trust alone that we should value
children. They deserve cultivation
they abundantly require care and kind
ness, attention and the forbearance
which it Is necessary toward their i'm
maturity and want of Judgment. Gu,
leisure, at least more of it, should be-
given to them. We should take pains
to find out what they think that we NAV
guide them Alright and teach them t.
avoid the shoals and quicksands upoI
which we perhaps have been stranded
Hearth and Home.