St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-05-05

that the sadness of mistrust, of doubt,
has ceme to the childish life. Children
have Il right to be correctly judged
cautiously, fairly, candidly. Provoke
not your children to wrath by hasty
judgment, unjust accusations or pun
iShments. Have respect to their feel
iHgs keep them sensitive, tender and
loving, by avoiding even the slightest
approach to unjust treatment.
These to whose care children are en-
trusted are often perpleXed to know
what mode of punishment to inflict
upon them for otfenses of which they
are guilty. Many believe with the
wisest man, 'Spare the rod and spoil
the child :" others are averse to this, if
any other method will possibly answer
its purpose. Pain in some cases must
he given, but great caution should he
exercised in its intlictiOn. A child
should never be struck on the head.
1t is not only dangerous practice, hard
slaps on the ears often causing deafness,
hut nothing So quickly arouses the tenn
per, and so surely develops the worst
passions. Never box, or snap, or pull
the ears. If a whipping must be given,
let it he with IL tingling stick briskly
applied for Il few seconds anywhere else
but on the head.
1t is II common mode of punishment
to deprive children of food. | have
doubts of the wisdom of this. Bread
and water, with seclusion for moder-
ate length of time in IL light room, Civ
ing time for reflection, may in some
eases he resorted to with beneficial re-
suits. But entire abstinence is too in
furious to the health and disposition.
a friend of mine, when Il little boy,
was sent to bed without his supper. In
the night he awoke in great agony of
mind, thinking he was SHrely diving.
and suffered terrible distress until the
morning. Remembering his own sen-
satiOns of body and mind, he never in
after years used this mode of punish
ment for his own children. For IL
strong, vigorous boy it might possibly
he the best way to enforce obedience,
but for il delicate, nervous child, it
ought never to he tried.
1t is not so much whipping and scold
ing and frightening the reins' that is
needed. aS the self-discipliue of the pa
rent. studying thomghttully and prayer
fully the character of each little one in
hiH 'h'ti anu "l'h an
striving to do that which is best for the
child, and to lead it in the narrow way.
Discipline is not always punishment
neither is punishment always wise dis
cipline. | have known the most loving
and manly of men control large families
almost 10y the eye alone. \ decided
look. ii firm wnId now and then in gen
tie tones. with only an occasional pun
ishmeht. while quite Young. VAS all the
boys needed. as well as the girls. to
keep them III the path of duty. SO
deep was their love and reverence for
father, that fear of displea>ing him was
restraint enough.
This happy combination of gentlcneSs
and tirmnesS takes sure hold of the
conscience and heart. and proves the
wisest and most etfectual mode of gov
ernment. The divine guidance will
surely he given to all who desire it. 10
train these little ones for their own
good and Ged's glory requires wisdom
higher than our own. Shall We not
seek for it earnestly. believing that Il
Hand strong to save will lead our wan
dering steps? Then at the close of
life's journey, we can give back our
charge To Him who bestowed it -" Here.
Lord. am |. and the children Thou hast
given me q.