The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-21
Written for the Sunday Sentinel.
EVERYBODY'S CHILDREN.
BY MRS. sALLIE A. RANAeE.

a.
'My boys and my girls are every day the |
boast of some proud father or mother who |
imagines that the child raised under his or
her paternal vigilance is a little bit better
than any body's else. 1t is a foolish pride
we say, as we laugh at the praise, and yet it
is one of our own indulgencies, and nothing
could tempt us to forego the pleasure of
quietly retailing the virtues of our children.
Their wit, their wisdom, their beauty, their
unusual virtues are told lovingly, hnger-
ingly, and we anticipate and expect the
chorus of applause that interrupts the recital.
They are our own, dearer than ourselves,
more tenderly cared for than our individual
interests, and we resent even an insinuation
that they may not be perfection. We shield
them from trouble and danger, gather every
thorn unninchingly from their path; We
cover them though the darts may wound us
and the life blood trickle from our innermost
heart; we will die for them, die rather than
see them disgraced. This is right, 1t is as
God meant it to be, and yet we err terribly
at one point Our children we fondly
imagine can never be tempted as those of
other people ares they are stronger and bet
ter. We see the evil, the sinful drifting
about u.s. and we fear no danger We be-
lieve we can keep our boys and girls from
contamination. and so they are safe we
have no thought of Others. Fathers see
young men sinking into vice; they stand
aloof thanking Good their sons are on
firm ground, not remembering with what
grip the drowning clutch at that which is
above them, and how fatal is the grasp that
ruins both. The hand that could uplift and
save the strangerl may be holding
from death the son, for few
fathers are intimate with the
habits of their half grown or matured boys.
They see the surface, the depths are hidden
from their sight The mother condemns the
conduct Of girls upon the street in public,
she criticises the fiirtations and "fast'' ac-
tions of young women, ignorant of the be-
haviour OF her own daughters when out of
her sight, for these very persons she censures
are the companions of her family. She
might tighten the reins of self respect, she
could check the freedom of those girls, but
she congratulates herself upon her good
teaching and thorough training and doubts
if anywhere there exists such paragons Of
perfection as her children. What ought to
be given to the world Of our own ideas Of
right, What words ought we TO speak be-
yond our home circle2 In how far are we
not only our brothers keeper, but the keep
er of his children How much are
we interested IN the boys and girls
who are upon our streets homeless and
houselessY How much care and attention
are we giving to the waits around us.
Practical benevolence should never be re-
stricted; IL should be enlarged and the
sphere of its usefulness comprehend not
alone the beggar who pleads for aims but
the humble worker who fails through ne
personal fault to make a sufficient living for
himself or the family around him. II
should rescue the distressed and suffering
ere they are in the last pangs Of disease and
poverty and death. and not waiting for the
worst TO come it should be exercised TO save
the body and mind at the earliest possible
moment This city is full of boys and girls,
not only yours but other peoples
who need help, and you car
give it. They need mental train
ing, you can guide them. They need spirit
ual strength, you can teach them. They
need physical food and covering and help
you can show them how so obtain them; and
helping them at the start of life, save then
many a day of suffering. 1t is not necessary
for you to found an orphan asylum, no
adopt score of little waits. Your work ma,
be among the poor about your door, or thu
rich who meet in your parlors. You ma,
have to teach purity and honesty 10 the sol
of the millionaire, or feed and clothe tn
naked, shivering street Arab. Your task /
waiting for you, closer at home may b
than you imagine. Your boys and girls ma
be straying q little from the right path
and you may be in ignorance; II yol
speak word TO their companions, IL yo'
stretch your hand to restrain some othe
feet you may draw back the wandering
whose sins in the future would have broker
your heart. IL you persuade some youn
man 10 stop drinking wine and whisky, hi
influence may save your boy. II you vii
him 10 shun the gambling saloon and b
leave vile associates, you may be keepin
unspotted the soul of your child in who's
life your own seems so bound up. II yo1