St. Landry democrat., 1891-03-14
The Parents of Frances E. Willard.

The Parents of Frances E. Willard.
Writing in the Golden Rule, in answer
the question, what Were the Formative
Infunces in Your Life9' Miss Willard
gives this picture of her father and moth
| er:
They wanted to know things. Apathy
did not belong to them. They were good
questioners, and they were patient to an
swer questions That is still more impor-
tant. | never felt that my childish spirit
of inquiry was an annoyance. The intel
lectual aid at home was hospitable to new
ideas. The mould on which they fashioned
their instruction was the everlasting
fought" How does this, that, or the
other subject of inquiry relate itself to
duty and to destiny2 These IDS" were the
yoke | always bore, but it was never gall
ing, for my mother dealt after whole
sale fashion in the infinite love of God.
She told US that he had put US here to see
what he could make of US He wanted to
make the best of US, helping all he could,
that is, all we would let him help. My
father was a mar of intlexible integrity.
His hobby was habit" and he never
seemed to take any but good habits into
| account. A thousand times | have heard
him say, "Children you must have habits
| You must have grooves of thought and
deed, well worn, and reaching in the right
! direction"
He was very strict y government, had
no liberation whatevefffor worldly amuse-
| ments. would not allow me to read novels.
tried to teach me habits of the strictest
economy-in which think he failed, per
haps more signally thar in almost anything
else He was doer rather than sayer of
the Word The saving clause in his con-
duct of life was his devotion to nature
Beyond almost any one | have known, he
| communed with God in the forest the
field, and the river. bank To him the
meanest flower that blows gave the
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for
tears" My mother was of poetic mould,
and had most philosophical way of look
ing out upon life. She was born optim
ist and her happy hearty nature made
sunshine In the home. She was child
with US, sharing all our sports, and hav-
ing our perfect confidence. To keep
thought or an intention from her was for
eign to my purpose.
1t is my opinion that the father and mo-
Their count more in training of the child
then all other intlunces. They alone can
fit out the little one with the good fairys
portion for the voyage of life at the begin
ing. They are the real university. They
are the great world, and what they do not
D ant in the nature and Durture of the
child the world will never see.
~ THE Sabbath was made for man-not
man for the Sabbath SAID the Divine Re-
deemer. Man needs it! He needs it to re-
cuperate the waste which six days labor
L. Ha
needs it to rest his mind, which worry
and care of business has more or less de-
pressed. He needs its sacred time to
mediate on his relations to God, his fell
low men and eternity, and to enable him
to Join with his fellows in act of devotion
to his Creator and Preserver. He heeds it
that he may have time to cultivate self
respect and social endearment, which the
toll of six days forbids. The church also
needs it that she may obsurve the ordin
ances committed to her by her Divine
Head, and to afford her opportunity to
teach those truths which are essential to
her existence and the welfare of men,
both in time and eternity. The State also
needs it that citizens may learn their duties
their obligations to society and their duty
for consci snce sake obey the laws of the
lhnu. dEu IL may 10 euSs ONoA lAo lAoh III
our railroads and in our work shops needs
it, to regain that solidity and strength
which constant use tends to destroy. The
voice of nature may, therefore, well min
gle with the voices of men, and both in
unison with our Divine Creator proclaim.
'Remmember the SABBATH day, to keep it
holy" Yes. we need its hallowing intluen-
ces to prepare us for the labors and duties
of time, and for the enjoyment Of eternity. |
And that we may inclte you to use your
intiunce to maintain it in our community, |
our country, and the world, we ask you
to mediate on some of the results which |
would inevitable fellow its abrogations as
day of rest, as sacred day and non
legal day in our land. "-ChnrcA Unton. |