Arkansas weekly mansion., 1884-02-02
''IrapS for tie YOung.S

Under this significant healing we find
q valuable new book, written by one of
our leading philanthropists and reform
ers. We are told. in truthful phrase.
that leach birth begins Il history and
that at 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 more prominent and
deadly pitfalls spread for young and
unwary feet. Chief among these are
the poisonous publications, brought out
in cheap. scdu tive 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
n history, to be filled out as days,
months and wears develop, and mature
the slowly forming character. But why
are parents ignorant OF the kind of read
inc with which their children are regal
ing themselves. or of the KIND OF games
over which they are becoming mo:e o.
less excited? Pa ents and housckcep-
crs need to keep their eyes open sharply
in these days of depraved literature, i'll
order to know what comes in at the
front door from having been left rs a
''specimen' on the front steps. 1t has
6een our habit f for l9ng ,ngv tin "oners and
companions before allowing them to
fall into even Bridget's hands, for many
of their illustrations might well disturb
the slumbcrs of that important func-
tionarv with their nightmare be getting
scenes.
But the children, the precious chill
drcn! We have heard sim lar 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 fortv-iive are never
likely to afterward. And any one who
has never indulged propensity or
liking for IMPROPER or vicious reading
before the age of twenty or Whereabouts
is ever likely to acquire a taste for it
after that time. We think we know
something of how sly little people can
be. But 4 child who is watched and
guarded in its tenderest years, as chill
dren should be watched and tended, is
comparatively safe from inclInations OF
an evil tendency We are firmly con-
vinccd that during the years of child
hood temp pta.ion 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 Wndt Is the UcSI COui sc W
pursue in individual cases.
Bv all means sufficient diversion in
the way of books and games should be
provided for the little folks when it is
poss sblc to pro .urc 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 " recently said in
our hearing that she had never forgot
ten the explanations given her in her al
most baby days of the petitions of the
Lord s prayer by an elder sister. She
affirmed that she never repeated the
prayer without tn hiking of the meaning
of each passage a then set forth. They
are receptive and attentive beyond any
thing we could believe possible-these
dear l. tile ch ldren I he 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 or
OWL EoL{,n RUye