Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-30
DO NOT DECEIVE CHILDREN.

UU NOI DCCElEE CH1LDNCNs
Many are unaware of the evil consequences
which result from this common practice.
A physician was once called to extract a
tooth from child. The little boy, seeing the
formidable instruments, and anticipating the
pain, was exceedingly frightened, and re-.
fused to open his mouth. After much solic-
itation the physician said
"Perhaps there is no need of drawing it.
Let me rub it little with my handkerchief,
and it may be all that is necessary; it will not
hurt you in the least"
The boy, trusting his word, opened his
mouth. The physician, concealing his instru-
ment in his handkerchief, seized hold of the
tooth, and wrenched it out
The parents highly applauded his arti6ce.
But the man cheated the child. He abused
his confidence. And he inflicted an injury
upon his moral feeling, not soon to be forgot
ten.
Will that physician get his handkerchief
into the mouth of the child again2 Will he
believe what the physician may hereafter
say? And when told that it is wicked to
say that which is not true, will not the remem.
brance of the doctors falsehood be fresh in
his mind2 And while conscious that his pa
rents approved of the deception, will he not
feel it right for him to deceive, that he may
accomplish his desires?
The practice of deceiving children is at.
tended with the most ruinous consequences.
1t unavoidably teaches the child to despise
his parents.
After he has detected them in one falsehood,
he will not believe them when they speak the
truth.
It destroys his tenderness of conscience.
And it teaches the arts of deception.
And what are the advantages Why, in
one particular instance the point is gained.
Let then compulson be resorted to when
necessary; but deception never.
If child cannot place implicit confidence
in his parents most assuredly no confidence
can be reposed in the child.
Is it possible for mother to practice the
arts of deception and falsehood, and at the
same time her daughter form character Of
frankness and truth i? Who can for mo-
ment suppose 1t!
We must be what we wish our children to
be. They will form their character from ours
A mother was once trying to persuade her
little son to take some medicine.
The medicine was very unpalatable, and
she, to induce him to take it, declared it did
not taste bad. He did not believe her. He
knew, by sad experience, that her word was
not to be trusted.
A gentleman and friend who was present,
took the spoon and said
&c ,,,olio;po on1 - foo
badly. I should not like to take it, but if
necessary 1 would. You have courage enough
to swallow something which does not taste
good, have you not ?"
eyes," said James, looking less sulky, "but
that is very bad, indeed"
81 know it" said the gentleman. 81 pre-.
sumo you never tasted anything much worse"
The gentleman then tasted of the medicine
himself, and said
1T is very unpleasant. But let US see if
you have not resolution enough to take it, bad
as it is"
The boy hesitatingly took the spoon.
"It is really bad" said the gentleman; "but
the best way is to summon all your resolution
and down with it at once, like a man."
James made, in reality, a great effort for d
child, and swallowed the dose.
And who will this child most respect-his
deceitful mother, or the honest stranger?
And who will be hereafter most readily be-
lieved?
It ought, however, to be remarked, that
had the child been properly governed, he
would at once, and without murmur, have
taken what his mother presented. 1t is Ger.
tainly, however, very supposable case that
the child might, after all the arguments Of
the gentleman, still have refused to do his
duty.
What course should then be pursued ?
Resort to compulsion, but never to deceit.
We cannot deceive our children without
seriously injuring them, and destroying our
own influence.
Frank and open dealing is the only safe
policy in family government, as we'll as on
the wider theatre of life.
The underhand arts and cunning maneu-
vres of the intriguer are sure, in the end, to
promote his own overthrow.
Be sincere and honest, and you are safe.
The only way of securing beneficial results is
by virtuous and honorable means.
sa- For want of selfrestraint, many men
are engaged all their lives in fighting difficult
ties of their own making, and rendering sue
cess impossible by their own cross.grained un'
gentlenesss, while others, who may be much
less gifted, make their way and achieve sue
cess by simple patience, equanimity and SELF
control.