Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-15
"Traps for the Young"

Underthis significant heading we find
a valuable new book, written by one OF
our leading philanthropists and reform
ers. We are told, in truthful phrase,
that ''each birth begins a history" and
that SIT is in the home that we must
look for first impressions" With many
thrilling examples and in startling and
convincing language, there are plainly
pointed out the Tor prominent and
deadly pitfalls spread for young and
unwary feet. Chief among these. are
the poisonous publications, brought out
in cheap, seductive forms, and availa-
BILE to almost any child who desires to
become acquainted with their loath-
some contents.
1t is very true that each birth begins
a history, to be filled out. as DAVIS,
months and years develop, and mature
the slowly forming character. But why
are parents ignorant of the kind of read
ing with which their children are regal
ing themselves, or of the kind Of games
over which they are becoming more or
less excited? Parents and housekeep-
ers need to keep their eyes open sharply
in these days OF depraved literature, in
order to know what comes in at the
front door from having been left as a
specimen on the front steps. 1t has
been Il habit for a long time to seize
and quarter these 'sstory papers, and
companions before allowing them to
fall into even Bridget's hands, for many
OF their illustrations might well disturb
the slumbers of that important func-
tionary with their MISUNDERSTANDING
scenes.
But the children, the precious chill
dren! We have heard similar statements
made with regard to reading and dis
ease. 1t is said that persons who have
shown no tendency toward consumption
before the age of forty-five are never
likely to afterward. And any one who
has never INDUCED a propensity or
liking for improper or vicious reading
before the age of twenty or Whereabouts
is ever likely to acquire q taste for it
after that time. We think we know
something of how sly little people can
be. But a child who is watched and
guarded in its tenderest years, as chill
dren should be watched and tended, is
comparatively safe from inclmations of
an evil tendency. We are firmly con-
WINGED that during the years of child
hood temptation should be kept out of
the child's way as far forth as possible.
Resistance must first be taught before
it can be practised. A wise. judicious
parent will have but little difficulty in
discerning what is the best course to
pursue in individual cases.
BY all means sufficient diversion in
the way of books and games should be
provided for the little folks when it is
possible to pro ,ure them. We all know
how the mother of Dcddridge taught
him Bible truths and history
from the old tiles about the fireplace.
1t is not necessary to have abundant
means in order to give the child's mind
the right direction. The stories we tell
the little folks at night are great char
acter-formers. A Ia ty recently said in
I'll hearing that she had never forgot
ten the explanations given her in her al
most baby days of the petitions of the
Lords prayer by IN elder sister. She
affirmed that she never repeated the
prayer without thinking OF the meaning
of each passage as then set forth. They
are receptive and attentive beyond any
thing we could believe possible-these
dear little children. The Bible tells us
to "Watch and pray lest we enter into
temptation. and in no respect is
watchfulness, prayerfulness and a
guarding against temptation more
needed and imperative than in direct
ing and training these little new his
tories, these lives so largely depending
on us for their future Of either good OF
evl.-GolAen Rue.