Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-13
Llfe's Early Years.

Il may easily be that even a very loving
mother may at times grow weary amid her
multiplied cares. Little children need in
cessant vigilance. When the baby years are
over, and, instead Of the helplessness which
called forth all the tenderness that was in
father aud mother, there are willful ways,
and naughtiness. and hundred little occa-
sions for reproof in day, then the work Of.
love needs to go on. The first six years Of
a childs life are those in which il takes i'm
preston for all time, and for all eternity.
The songs that it learns TO sing, the prayers
it is taught 10 say, the bent it is given at
that early age, do not pass away, for then is
the seed-sowing period "What is it that
makes children sweet and beautiful 2" said
a faithful mother, not long since. It is
listening to them, answering them taking
notice Of the habits they form. and loving
them with all the strength of your nature
night aud day." She was right. The first
years in the home, when the little ones are
Young enough to share the iroodHg, the
motheriug of her whose sweet face makes
their sunshine, are incXpressibly important.
They are full Of golden opportunities, to be
goldenly used. The mind is in a receptive
state Not a story is heard, not picture is
seen, not a walk is taken nor a visit made,
which does not sink into the soil Of this
soul, which finds itself in a world of now
elites.
If mothers would begin from the first to
/ set before their children high ideals, TO show
| them the beauty OF courage, of truth, Of
/ fidelity, and of manliuess, as they have been
illustrated in the lives of men and women,
and BOYS and girls. they would be rewarded
by seeing how a spirit Of emulation would
spring up in the youthful breasts. Children
admire that which is grand aud beautiful.
They respond quickly to whatever appeals
to the nobler part Of their natures.
Try the effect OF saving to roomtul OF
children. taken. if you please, from the
lowest and the ylest parts of the city
" Now, | expect YOU all to behave like little
ladies and gentlemen If You show that
YOU are in earnest, aud mean what you say
they will not disappoint you. But beware
of ifs and butts. No threateuings. No of
fers OF reward. Keep on the moral platform
and YOU will see how the children will stel
up where you are. In the family the mothe
who herself always says, Thank you, dear,
to Susie or Dick, who has done her
service; who always treats Lille and Charl
as though they were worthy Of politeness
, will have polite, well bred, well mannere
little people about her all the time.
The hour before bedtime is a very goo
! one for the mother to be with her children
Then she can hear their accounts OF the day
/ The little things that went wrong in sehoo
r the quarrels with playmates, the lessons tina
\ were hard and all the happy events, toe
: can be told then, and she can give sympath
4 and counsel as it may seem best. Let II
/. little heart 60 Uncontrolled to bed. II tn
|. child has been naughty, and mother ho
4 been displeased, let her extend forgiveness
e and kiss it into peace before it goes to sleel
The last hour of child's day should |
8 very near TO God. With feeling th'
.e mother loves il, and that the Father aboy
N will send the angels to take care of it,
n should fall quietly into the soft slumbers
II its night. Time enough for grief aud troub
Is by-and-by. The years will bring their wo
m ries and their disappointments and the
n sharp tussles with adversity. Let the lit
10 ones have good times, and make goodne
re attractive to them more by example than
st precept.
/? Depend upon It'll your children are spare
to grow up, you will be richly repaid for Il
care you take of their opening and develo
ing years. The noble young man, the grac
ful, womanly girl in the loveliness Of h
youth, will be for you a crown of glor
And il they are taken from you in Il
" brightness of their childhood, you will II
Ie regret, as you grieve over their loss, any ho
-e, of loving selfdenial which you have |
er slowed on them. As you think of them
he Gods garden, it will be sweet TO rememb
n that you did what you could TO fit them I
ed blooming there Selected.