Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-23
Ethical 'Erainins at tGle rsIre.itic.

B. O. Flower in the August Arena
 It is difficult to form an adequaty ro.- ception of the amount of misery, disease and crime which emphasize the shortcom- ings of our present civilization, that is directly traceable to the careless but uniii- tentional neglect of parents, comparative ly few of whom properly comprehend the infinite possibilities for good or evil, which tremble in the balance of those lives, that through them have come to bless or curse the world, and which aTe day by day unfolding into fragrant flowers of moral, intellectual and physical beauty. or stunted growths, dwarfed largely by their immediate surroundings, and in many instances transformed into objects at once revolting, poisonous and repulsye. It is not enough, as many parents imag- inc, to feed and clothe their offspring, and when they arrive at proper age to place them in school. There is a duty quite as vital as ministering to their physical sus- tenance that devolves on the parent, | though unrecognized by many,-the duty of developing the moral nature. The in difference of parents in this respect is as i ine1plicable as it is disastrous to the indi- vidual and to society. child whose eth | ical training begins at the cradle, and is systemally impressed during early years | by parents, who themselves in life empha- | size the truths they enunciate, will rarely | dishonor their name or prove other than blessing to society. So serious is this pro blem, so intimate is its relation to the pro l gress of humanity, so farreaching and vi l tai it's influence, that no thoughtful stu dent of human life can afford to ignore that our widening vision has demonstrated | is not impractical visionary. Much as the ancient Stoics impressed the loftiest ethics on the minds of the young who sought them, would have the cardinal virtues impressed on the plastic mind of every child, varying the methods to suit the age, condition and mentality of the child, beginning with object lessons, pie lures and stories which illustrate impor- tant moral truths and lessons in virtue. All children love stories and pictures, and
 these, in the hands of parents who appUe- ciate the solemn responsibility of parent hood, can be made wonderfully effective
 As tbe child grows older teach him to value above price truth, honor and integ- rity Repress all selfish tendencies.
 Make him dwell in the radiant and harmo-
 nious atmosphere of love. Above all
 teach him toleration. Show him that all
 laws and religions that would persecute
 another for honest thought emanate from
 other than divine source, are not benef-
 cial, nor do they point upward. History
 is rich in striking illustrations, which,
 told ss stories or in after years read to the
 children, will emphasize each important
 lesson to be taught. In this manner the
 moral perceptions will be quickened, and
 broad ethical foundation will be laid
 that will go far toward insuring a noble
 life. A leading Roman prelate once said
 "Give me the first ten years of child's
 life and you may have him afterward
 This thought is worthy the consideration of parents. Nor is it enough to impress
 virtue; vice must be painted in its true
 hideousness, pictured without the mask
 Show the child the sting that is hidden from view; the end which is filled witt bitterness. The wise parent will instruct
 his child fully, and make him thoroughly
 acquainted with the dangers that will be set him. He will clothe him with the ar ) nor of knowledge, while warning him o
 the fatal results of yielding even to evi
 thoughts. He will impress the great trutt 5 on his mind, which Christ insisted on ? namely, that in the thought not the deec lay the first sin.
 He will show him that he who narbor evil thoughts is fostering in his soul poi sonous weeds and choking to death tn 3 flowers of spiritual growth. In this man . ner parents should teach their children al most from the cradle. Soul culture mus be the keynote of the education of tn 8 future both in home life and in schools