Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-03
naigu Nfnncs.s Journal.
Care for the Little Ones.


The world has many bright things.
many joyous spirits, and many happy
hours. And it is among children and
in childhood that we see the most of
these. Children are human flowers of
the world, and childhood is life's most
beautiful holiday.
That this is not so in all cases is fault
of our civilization. We have threaded
the intricate mazes of science, we have
fathomed many of the mysteries OF the
universe, we have subdued the elements
to our will, but we have signally failed
in meeting the problem of ''HOw shall
the children be treated?"
We are SO apt to forget that we were
ever like the little ones about US that we
grow peevish when they question us, and
ness that is very biting to their sensitive
spirits. Yet while we are SO cruel to
them, for this is cruelty, we forget the
many bitter moments that our young lives
had. given bv these same thoughtless and
hard answers. Childhood is trusting.
You can make it so full of love that TO see
it is JOY. but there must be no hard and
cold replies if you would do this.
Often, though it is called a waste of
time by many, to argue question out
with child is wise course. The fault is
here, not that we are not full enough, but
that we are not lucid and simple enough
to meet the child's thought. A child's
mind needs kindness. even as a young
plant needs nourishing. Kindness
has the same place in its existence
that sunshine does in the life of the plant.
1t strengthens and beauties it. A child
kindly and tenderly treated, has much
more beautiful and loving nature and
behavior and appearance than one not SO
treated; tor childhood, being impressible,
partakes of its surroundings, these being
its lessons in the ways of lite.
We all know that if profane or frivo.
lous language surround the child, such
language will be in its mouth so. too, il
blows and cold answers are given it, il
will retain them and bestow them on the
next generation.
But it is not only to the harshness oil
this treatment that we object, but also to
its debasing influence, for you lessen a
child's good opinion of itself when you
beat it or treat it harshly. They have
pride, these little ones, and it can be out
ragged, and the remark we once heard
from little boy, tells its own moral
II don't believe I'd be bad" said he,
"it mamma didn't strike me when | made
mistakes, for don't want to do wrong
Robbie Browns mother don't strike him
he SAYS, but tells MIN why things aren'
right and kisses him and loves him, and
he don't never be bad but mamma scOlds
and strikes me when don't mean wrong
and so does papa, and don't know wha
to do"
That little fellow had much more wis
dom than his parents. He did not mean
to do worng, and he did not mean to bt
bad, and he was in doubt as to what was
wrong, as it was never explained to him
so, as his young spirit was full of life and
joy, and needed the vent of race rounC
the room with Rover, or shout when run
ming down the stairs, and as these were
considered wrong by his parents. as they
are by many Others Chough what chile
would so consider them?) he committee
an offense and was punished for it.
These little things are crimes in thu
eyes of many parents. and are punished
severely. They are paltry, and yet in i'm
portance represent the things for which
many little one is harshly treated, ano
for which so much cruel and needless mis-
cry is caused. "Moral suasion" may b.
laughed at, but at the least it is more hui
mare than the treatment above mentioned
But there is another point we wish tt
touch, and that is, the lack of confidence
and sympathy parents evince toward theil
children, and the pleasure that they miss
by thus acting. We have seen something
of child life and are a great enjOyer o
the little ones condolences. Why, WI
have many little friends whose names al
ways makes music in our memory.
Parents should enter heartily into theil
children's joys, sorrows, tolls, studies anc
ambitions. Let them court the confidence
of the little ones, and show them that they
have their sympathy, and the artless con
fessions they will be told will richly repay
them for their trouble. Don't consider
ure of child's needs. Think how barrer
your own life would be with these alone
Give them love, sympathy, help, conf
dence, and these will call for the same il
return. Have a companionship with then
in their studies, pleasures and sports, fo
they will never forget it. 1t don't lesser
your dignity to play with them, and it add
to their pleasure, and also to their trust il
you and their love for you.
1t was to mother who acted thus tina
a little four-year old, after having beel
put to bed by his father. who had hear
him say his prayers, and given him hi
goodnight kiss, and asked, What shall
tell mamma when write to her to- night9
His mother being away on visit, he sen
this message: Tell her kiss her in m
heart"
But we have said enough, and only be
all parents who may read these words t
be kind to the little ones, to give ther
love. sympathy, confidence; to share i
their play and studies. and to learn thei
good traits by companionship. for there i
more pleasure in children's society tina
many think. and there is store of love i
their souls the richest this side OF Heaven
store that our harshness often hurrie
into an early grave.-THos. S. COLLIE
ia Tribune and Farmer.