The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-03-26
CLARENDON 'rk.
The Training of Children.

solomon says that Even child is known by
his doings, whether his work be pure, and
whether it be right" He also says, Tram up
q child in the way he should go, aud when he
is old he will not depart from it." There is also
an old saying, CAS- the twig is bent the tree is
inclined" Watch the skllful gardener as he
passes through his garden and finds little
young tree growing crooked. II is one that he
is anxious to have grow into q perfect tree.
Does he let it be, saying when it grows larger
he will attend TO it: No. He goes at once, gets
stout stake, and sets it firmly beside the tree
Then, with proper bands, he fastens the tree to
the stake: thus compelling 1t to grow straight
or, i'll other words, training il in the way it
should go, or grow. How care July he matches
those bands. and rearranges them according to
the growth of the tree, but Goes not remove
them until IT has grown firm and strong, Then
with what satisfaction does he listen to the COM
ments of praise for the beautiful shape and
proportion of the tree. His neighbor had just
such tree TO start with, but left itunrestraned
and without pruning Now II Is gnared,
crooked uns' ghtly thing, marring the beauty of
the grounds IN which 1t stands. SO 1t is with
children. They need the bandage of restrain
ing influence, wrapped well with home love,
fastened with firm but gentle hand Many a
one that has grown 10 be among the
worst of the bad, had they been properly re-
strained and trained while young, would be
not only gool members Of, but ornaments To,
society. 1t is one of woman's God-given rights
to train her children to be good
and useful. We may call her gardener, and
her children choice plants intlusted to her
core by the Creator to whom she is responsible
for tue manner in which she takes car e OF these
most precious plants. IN training vines or
trees, we watch for.buds that show themselves
where we want no branches TO grow. 1t ne Ids
but little more than touch to take off the
bud, aud - let the sap and strength go to
make the perfect tree. If you say: "Ir is only
pretty little bud; let IL be; II can do no harm
now by and by you Will have to take the prun-
ing knife or saw to it, and then 1t will leave an
ugly scar So it is with children. Buds of
evil are laughed at, called cute, cunning pref
ty, and encouraged 10 grow into habits beyond
the E.otber's control. See that babe at the
window; il has learned that il has hands and
can use them With all its baby earnestuess IL
is trying 10 catch the fly on the G ass. Here IL
irst budding of the habit OF cruelty. IL is go
tiny you are unwilling 10 believe IL but 20 1t
is Take the little hand back. nip TIE bud at
once, watch closely or any fresh uut-ttrt OF the
same, and check as fast a. they appesr. Take a
child little older, 1t IL saving things that are
laughed at called cunning, aud smart, which,
in an older one, wotld bs pronounced saucy.
Even child Is known by his doing-," 40 You
may know what this one will yet DE II he Is
left unrestrained. By-and-bv, perhaps, yUu
will see would called young man swagger-
ing around, speaking of Ills paren's "a "the
old man" and "t the old woman, u-ing such
language as would make the mo her shudder
to hear 1t. On, If that had only be ulpped III
the bud, had he learned none but pure, good
Language and respectful ways. On, mothers,
let me again entreat you to be faithful to your
little ones! Their educat on or training be-
gins before they can lisp your name You can
not begin too early to lead them in the way they
should go. Do not pread that you are too ner-
vous, bu, make up your mind that your nerves
must bear whatever is your duty to do. | am
naturally nervous enough to sympsthize with
Others but know the nerves can be- strength
ened by the will lVYs MOTHER
AINsWORTH Iowa.