The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-03-13
Evils That Need Correcting.
biblical Recorder. I

De iOOSCU iOI W OC dUlc Always 10 see
the sunny side of every question, and
if there are clouds about US, to see their
silver lining. There are, however, much
evil, much sin, and much imperfection
in the world, and the man or woman
of the happiest temperament must at
times come in contact with evil, sin,
temptation, and those who vex his
righteous soul, if indeed he has one.
We endeavor as " far as within us
lieth'' to avoid being pessimistic, but
we have noticed SO often certain forms
of evil, some of which are rather mod
ern in their nature, that we hope to do
some good by calling attention to
them.
I. The first we mention is the fail
ure of parents to control their children.
This is noticeable especially in our
larger towns and cities. Boys when
quite young are permitted to roam at
will wherever fancy may dictate. They
form associates among the vile and
wicked, rapidly acquire their manners,
learn their slang phrases, sc. Wicked
men and boys are almost sure to teach
the young under their influence to dis
regard the commands or desires of their
parents, thus creating disposition to
rebel against parental authority. Such
books as 's Peck's Bad Boy" which
found such an immense sale few
years since, have done much to diffuse
among the boys especially of our land
quite false notions of filial duty. 1t is
considered smart to outwit the I" old
man." 1t is quite funny to worry and
vex the very life out of him. The
mother likewise, comes in for her share
of the worries and vexations caused by
the SO called funny pranks OF her pro-
geny. Parents are often to blame for
this state of things. Our fathers con-
trolled their children but now you
often find fathers, and mothers, too,
who cease all effort to control their
children long before they become OF
age. Many boy now twelve or thir-
teen years of age considers himself a
man and acts accordingly. He often
learns the staggering gait and uses
the profane words of the rowdy. His
youthful lips stained with tobacco; OF
else he struts along the streets with a
cigar or cigarette in his mouth. The
opinion has become quite common
that the rod is a relic of barbarism and
that it should be utterly banished from
the school-room and from the freside.
We bave at our homes an old fashion
ed book called the Bible, which very
strongly commends the rod when
needed and we are fully persuaded
that a more liberal use of this SO called
relic Of barbarism would work a won
derful reformation among the juvenile
population of many of our towns and
cities. Our Father in Heaven in train
ing US and fitting us for our sphere oi
usefulness hereafter, often uses the rod
upon US. Is He not wise Father ,and
does He not know how to train His
children? Solomon tells us to train
up a child in the way he should GO
and then gives us afterwards some use
ful hints as to how that training is tc
be effected. In giving these hints, the
rod figures conspiculously. There is
at times more virtue in a sincere ap,
plicaton of hickory switch than two
| hours umoral suasion" Christian
father, or mother, if you love your
child, control him, and if the rod is
necessary, use it, unless you are wiser
than Solomon or the Bible. When
ever a man or woman gets wiser than
the Bible, we are reminded forcibly that
all the fools are not dead.
2. A second evil we would mention
is that of allowing, girls not yet out o
their short dresses to consider them
selves young ladies; to receive gentle
men % visitors, &c, &c. This evl
is very closely allied with the one just
mentioned in fact, is often the natura
result of its existence. What sad mis-
take do parents make when they en-
courage their daughters thus to act
All who knows how many hasty ane
unwise marriages are the result OF sucl
unwise indulgence. Can a girl tour
teen or fifteen years old decide tn
most momentous question of her llf
here on earth, when SO young and IN
experienced? Any dude who happen
to sport mustache and gold head
ed cane and who has handsome face
can win the heart and turn the heat
of such an innocent and gulleles
creature. Said dude may not be wort
the clothes on his back may be ut
terly worthless as man @, and ye
if you don't control your inexperlencet
child, he may become your son-ln-la"
About the first thing he will do afte
marrying your fifteen or sixteen yea
old daughter, will be to settle dow
} into the best room of your house AM
STAY until his welcome and your pa
: tience are worn to frazzle. FroI
twelve to eighteen is the best period
, of girls life, ,and she ought to be KEEP
= at school as much as possible. He
, mind and her morals should be care
: fully cultivated. She should be care
l fully taught domestic duties. If yo
4 have any means, give her an opportt
. nifty to study music and drawing
connection with her other studle
Above all, instill into her mind an
heart the religion of Jesus Chris
Then you have a noble specimen
womanhood, and if she lives to MARI
a man with sense enough to apprec
ate her worth, (and she will have sens
enough to refuse any other kind). ST
, will know how to make his hon
happy and train up children that wi
be an honor to her, blessing to the