Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-20
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Education Of children.

the Grange by Mrs. d. F. Denman, OF Ohio,
Flora of Coshocton Grange 1918:
l have chosen for my subject The Educa-
ton OF our Children or, more properly; put
ting it in the form Of q question, How shall
we best help our boys and girls to lead lives
of happiness and usefulnessy
Time was when the notion prevailed that n
common education, and very little Of that,
was good enough for the farmer, his wife and
his children. But that time has passed. The
world has grown wiser, and now, whenever
it is practicable, we all gladly give our chill
dren advantages OF higher schools and higher
studies, feeling that thus they are all the bet
ter fitted for whatever station in life they may
be called to occupy.
1t has been said that the mind has a GER
tain vegetative power that can not be wholly
idle II it is not laid out and cultivated into
a beautiful garden, it will of itself shoot up
noxious weeds, or flowers Of wild and un-
comely growth. Surely, then, we shall fail
in our duty to our children if we do not see
to it that their minds are filed with useful
knowledge, such as shall nourish their youth,
give delight in old age, be an ornament in
prosperity, and a comfort in Adversely"
1t is not from school-books alone that such
knowledge can be attained. There is a home
training that must go along with these studies,
or the education is sadly lacking in its most
essential points. One may understand all
science and hidden lore may have tho Ian
guages of nations, ancient and modern, at his
tongues end be able to measure the distance
of stars and to calculate erlipses, and yet be
utterly useless as a member of the household
or of society. Skillful hands and ready feet
must accompany active cultured minds, for
we have set out, you know, to make our
loved ones uSetUl as well as ornamental sol
id as well us brilliant good, rather than
great. The heart must be cultivated as well
as the mind. Womanly graces and manly
virtues are to be cherished. Gentleness and
kindness, purity and self-respect, generosity
and courteousness to be inculcated not alone
by precept, but also by example. We must
teach them to love their homes, by making
them homes indeed, not stopping places,
merely. We must make them attractive with
flowers and pictures music, too. Do
not let us forget music. Have some kind Of
an instrument If possible, to accompany and
guide their voices in sweet happy song, that
shall help the long winter evenings to pass
quickly and pleasantly.
Books are needed also and love of read
ing is to be encouraged. But let us be care
full not to fall into an error too commonly
prevailing, that if one has a taste for reading,
and reads whatever falls into his hands he is
thereby necessarily improving his mind. On
the contrary, he may be weakening and in
iuring it. Like the body. the mind must
have Wholesome food if we would see it devel-
oped in fine proportions
Much of the so.caled literature of to-day
is of such a nature that, while it can be class
ed neither with the corrupt nor the degraded,
yet the pcTusal of it is worse than waste Of
time, MS it leaves the intellect weakened, the
taste dobasod tho fancy let loose the mind
narrowed by the very littlencss of the things
that have engaged it, aud all the faculties less
capable Of higher pursuits, less inclined for
the soberness of religion. Then let us know
what our children are reading, and select
their books with care. They need not all be
grave, or heavy with wisdom, for
"A little noLsense now and then
Is relished by the best Of men,"
And the best Book of all says "There is a
time to laugh" OF course we must have
newspapers. A good newspaper is great
educator it is power for good. Some OF
the wisest and most observing of our public
school teachers have said that they are at nc
loss to determine who among their pupils
come from families where good newspapers
are taken and read The mind of a child
with such influences being so much more &C.
tive, so much more capable of receiving and
making use of new ideas.
good agricultural paper furnishes many
hints for fathers and mothers sons and
daughters. Perhaps something new and
useful with regard to making the farm more
profitable, and its work lighter and pleasant
er. Some items about cookery, which may
teach us to make food more wholesome OF
more palatable or that will give US needed
information as to the removal of some diff
Guilty or annoyance in our household tasks
or show us how to ornament our homes and
render them more attractive.
Farmers boys are too apt to go away from
the farm, with its steady work, and quiet but
healthful life, and to seek the crowded towns
to obtain, if possible, n situation behind {
counter, in an office, or at n desk. Very
many of them learn all too late that they
have made great mistake.
We ought to teach them from childhood
that agricultural pursuits are quite as noble,
and far more reliable than any other. 1t i,
agriculture that gives riches to nation, anC
the only riches of which we need not feal
depreciation or diminution.
We must teach the boys to love the farm
and to stick to it, making it profession
Bringing to its work and management all tn,
new ideas they can obtain from their studies,
their reading and their observation. Farm
life is no longer the ceascless, irksome drudg
| cry it used to be; nor is the farmer looked
down upon as mere clod-hopper. He il
elevating himself to his proper place amonl
the refined and cultivated of the land. He il
learning to think and to act He is sough
after, and placed in positions of trust and re
| sponsibility.
We who are mothers ought carefully to in
itiate our daughters into the mysteries ant
arts of household duties with their care
and their pleasures teaching them as only
earnest, loving mothers can teach, the many
things so necessary to know, that when il
homes of their own, Us every girl hopes soon
| er or later to be, they may be prepared t.
meet its responsibilities and cares with cretli
to themselves, and comfort and pleasure t,
| others
Good and wise Bishop Morris gives som,
excellent advice to young girls which we a
mothers would do well to impress upon thu
minds of our young daughters. wait pa
| tiently, my children" he says. go not af
ter your womanhood let it come to you
Keep out of public view. Cultivate refine
ment and modesty. The cares and response
| bilities of life will come soon enough WheI
they do come, you will meet them, trust a
true women should, But oh be Not so un
wise as to throw away your girlhood. Rol
not yourself of this beautiful season, which
wisely spent, will brighten all your futur
| life"
This is a subject of deep interest to u.s. m,
sisters. l have but limited at few points
How many more ways can be thought Of
tending toward the same object, the educat
ing and edfying of our girls and boys lie
them be brought out and talked over, an,
acted upon for in the multitude of counsel
Ors there is wisdom.