Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-16
KEEPING OUR PROMISES TO OUR Chill
DRES.

DREN.
In every true mothers heart is a strong
ire for the development of right prin-
ciples and noble qualities in the minds
and hearts of her children.
To this end she adds "precept upon
precept, line upon line While this is
we'll, and her duty, she should also re-
member that example is far more reaching
than precept in bringing about the desired
result.
Therefore, in establishing strict integri-
ty of word as principle in the mind of
her child, her own example is of prime
importance.
The first step in keeping promises to
children is to be careful in making them.
Perhaps we say to our child, when you
reach such an age, you shall have this or
that Who shall span the years and
foreshadow to "A certainty the ability to
perform that promise? Would it not be
wiser TO say, "It is my intention to do
thus and so for your
To see ourselves as others see us is
som, times beneficial, else should be re-
luctant to prevent so unfavOrable pie.
ture. howevr true to life, as am about to
draw.
\ lady was entertaining some friends,
and having an uneasy noisy bov to man
age at the same time, she ATTEMPTED it in
the following manner.
Charlie -he said, ''if you will go out
on the doorstep and sit down. a little bird
will fly down right beside YOU Won't
that be nice" Yes, that would be nice
and Charlie remained fully five minutes
on the steps waiting for the bird. His
mother had said that bird mould come
and his faith in her promise lasted Just
that lengh Of time.
Now he returns to the parlor
to tease and fret al his disappointment.
Again she resorts to fabrications. "a po-
lite name for shorter word.) ''Charlie
If you will 90 out in the kitchen YOU will
see little mouse run across the floor
Maybe You can catch him" Away goes
Charlie and his mother breathes easy fol
three minutes. Then he comes back SC
uproariously noisy and rude that she loses
all patience and eXclaims, "Charlie, if you
don't keep still. I'll take your ears off,
Poor, unwise mother. What greater
injury can she do her child tn in to DESTROY
his faith in her promises? although /
would hardly advise the fulfillment of the
last one. even after she has been so rash
as to make it.
| In striking contrast with this picture
and what CONTRAST is the story of a
boys faith in the promise of his father to
safely lower him over the brink of pre-
cipiee to gather some flowers, and then as
safely draw nim up. The child had never
knt wn his father to fail in keeping his
word, and it made him fearless.
| If We so deal with our children that
they have perfect confidence in us. We are
happy indeed, for We not only establish
in their minds faith in our ord, but faith
in mankind.
| A child who has been dealt with fairly
and openly, who has been taught from
earliest childhood to con id. promise a
sacred obligation. has laid the foundation
of noble character. On the other hand
one who has ever met with deceit and
treaehery, who by sad experience has come
to have little faith in the word of his asso-
ciates. will prove an exception to the gen
eral rule if he does not develop an I'M
stable character. Moral obligations with
him have small weight The twig was
bent in the wrong direction and the tree is
so inclined. By his own want of integrity
he will be suspicious of others. utterly in
capable of understanding that strict sense
o. honor which underlies all true nobility.
A premise given to child l. as ST rict an
''ilS a. out given u an Ditltr person.
Yet how many. lightly and carelessly,
make wonderful promises to children.
raising their expectations and PLAYING up
on their credulity, and then Just as lightly
and careiessly forgetting all about It,
There Is touch OF. pathos in one of Kate
Greenaways' "Under my Window" RHYMES
for children. The picture accompanying
the rhyme is of little maiden standing
YEARLY at a gate leading to the highway
She has doubtless been told that il she
stood there ''long enough" she would see
wonderful sights, and she is beginning to
lament at her disappointment. Can it be
pleasure to any one to raise the expecta-
tions of a child only to see them brought
to naughtf Childhood is naturally trust
full and confiding. One who DESTROYS this
happy faith may be guilty of causing
one of these little ones to
offend. The promises of our
Father are yea and amen. so should be
ours To our children, Promises of reward
or punishment are alike binding.
Threats or promises of future punishment
may seldom be advisable, but once given
should be strictly kept, or soon they come
to have no effect.
Many question the advisability Of "hir-
ing children TO be good" holding that a
parents authority should be sufficient.
Many promises Of reward are found in the
Good Book, and if one does not promise
and then fail TO fulfil. the harm done will
be small. Let "slow TO promise, swift to
perform, be our motto A.