Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-20
Mliseellaneous.
Men Fit for Husbands.

A recent number OF GOOD HOuSekeep-
ing contained several articles upon the
above subject and from them we select
the following which advises how boys
should be trained for good husbands:
In order that we may have men fit for
husbands, we must begin at the founda-
ton, and mould the plastic material, rest
ing in our own hands, into forms Of beau
ty, grace and perfection. 1t should be
the aim of the mother to render her sons
fit for husbands as well as her daughters
fit for wives. How such duties are neglect
ed in both cases, we all know only too we'll !;
but that the young men of the present day
are less fitted for domestic life than the
young women is patent tact no thoughtful
person can deny. There are obvious reasons
for this: Men are less domestic by nature
than women, and all their associations
have tendency to make them forget or
ignore the possible happiness in domes-
tic life. Every little girl is a mother in
embryo, but every little boy is not faith
err by instinct; but the shaft is in the stone
awaiting the action Of time, and the
chisel of the master hand. Let the moth
er be the sculptor who shall fashion the
marble into beautiful forms of lasting
grace and symmetry. With the home as
the great central magnet in life. with the
idea early instilled into youthful minds,
that on the happy homes of this country
depends mainly the welfare of a great ma
ton, we shall have young men and
women both better fitted for the possibili-
ties of pure. true and wholesome home
life.
The great and good man who so quietly
breathed his life away at Mt. McGregor
last July, was an example to us all of
what heroism, bravery and true greatness
a man may be capable of and still retain,
through all the adulations of kings,
queens and emperors, his quiet domestic
love for the dear wife of his youth and his
children and home. His last hours,
lovingly surrounded by weeping wife and
children, is better lesson to the COM
ing generation than Vicksburg or Apo
mattox. So let US have faith and patience,
and dare to hope and trust that the COM
ing generations, through wise counsel and
example, will build on firmer foundations
than their predecessors have. Let US
teach our BOYS, as well as our girls, the
true laws of health. Early instill into
their minds the principles of right doing.
Teach them to avoid that which is impure.
Teach them that far more important than
the accumulation of gold and riches are
the fundamental principles of purity, hon
esty, and steadfastness of purpose. I'M
bue them with love of home; strive to
make them domestic in their habits. Let
them grow to manhood with an inherited
love of all that which is pure and true.
Teach them to respect womanhood, to love
little children, to care well for their own
bodies, and God and nature will do the
rest. Mothers. it rests largely with you,
that there shall be Men Fit For Husbands
Shirk not your duties but bear them brave
ly, and in the happy home circles OF your
sons and daughters your reward shall be
great.
If the young husband would bravely re-
solve to be patient and considerate with
the Young wife. who has entered into a
new life with him, if he is willing to do
his part toward making this new struc-
ture an abode of happiness, and peace,
"The kindest and the happiest pair
Will have occasion to forbear,
And something every day they live
To pity and perhaps forgive.
ne love tnaI cneefS Il1e'S latest stage,
Proof against sickness and old age,
Is gentle delicate and kind,
To faults compassionate Tor blind,
And will with sympathy endure
The evils it would gladly cure
But, after all, it rests with the parents
to make their sons domestic or otherwise;
to fit them tor true and loving husbands
and kind and atfectionate fathers.
Robert Collyer tells a pretty story of
pleasant result of one of his lectures. He
was accosted one night, on leaving the
lecture hall, by a young man who partic-
ularly wanted to have few moments con-
versation with him, and the young man s
confidence was substantially this: Some
two years previous he had attended lee
ture given by the famous orator, in COM
pany with young lady to whom he had
been paying his addresses for some time.
but had never mustered sufficient cour-
age to ask her hand in marriage,
The subject OF his lecture was, the
always interesting one of marriage. In the
course of his remarks he took occasion to
say. Now if there is any young man in
this audience, whose heart has chosen the
right one for life companion. and hest
tates to put the final question, let nv
words here tonight influence him in the
right direction He acted on the advice
given, and at this time he wanted to thank
Mr.. Collyer personally for his wise coun-
sci. The natural consequence of the ad-
vice acted upon was the establishing of
coy. happy little home. with the dearest
wife man ever had. And better yet.r
he said, while a beautiful flush mantled
his cheek, I'VE have darling little bow
whom we have named Robert Collyer."
Thus through a few words fifty spoken
was happy home altar reared, whose in.
tiuence for good may be great and last
ing.
Let us build we'll, that those who come
after us may be better, kinder, and wiser
in their generation than we in ours. Let
us do our whole duty by those entrusted
to our keeping by the divine law of love.
And when the evening twilight comes,
and the shadows of lifes long dav settle
down into night. may the epitaph be writ
ten thus:
"The good begun by thee shall onward flow
In many branching stream, and wider grow,
Helen n PnrLor5