Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-04-19
CULTURE IN THE HOME.

" IL L l III ~ 1 IL IL HUN Il.
Lecture written by one OF the congregation
gregationaf church. Ellsworth, SUNDAY evening
April :. isA;
1t is interesting to notice how the mi
mute and profound study OF the physical
nature of man, within the last quarter OF
e century-in its effort to trace man from
his highest and most complete being TO
his far-away originals thrown a food
OF light upon the study both OF his intel
lectual and spiritual nature.
Ii has become common 10 look upon the
development. of these parts of his nature
as natural growth. and to iiud the same
inhexible laws are working slowly and
steadily and uuerrlngly in the one 10
the other. All have their infancy. grow
favorable environment.
We cannot be profoundly grateful enough
that 1t IS so, for Il IS through the know
ledge of II that We can aid In bringing
ance OF the study OF this growth OF the
mind Is realized as We read the papers aud
magazines Of the day, and notice how
prominent educators in the colleges and
universities are working upon the problem.
realizing the need Of grea, changes 10 our
schools and even the idea has been al
yanced OF Introducing into some OF the
uuiversitie. = new science-'Thc Science
OF the Child"
But II is not these public aids ID be used
in developing the intellectual life thst We
are asked 10 write upon for this evening
but only those within the narrow limits Of
the home life. DO We. who are parents.
realize how blessed we are In having the
most favorable position for this interest
ing study? Are not our homes the best
laboratories for such Kind OF work: la
these homes of our land are the very germs
OF the strong vigorous future intellectual
life OF our nation. We all know this, but
does it weigh upon US as anything thst
concerns Us personally:
In the continual struggle for the main
tenauce OF the physical life Of the family.
do not we forget the more important care
to be given TO this part OF our chlidren's
liyess DO not most fathers make the
bread and butter question. the one that
absorbs all time and all thought:
We so easily see the disastrous effects
upon the body when left unsuiiably cared
for, that we forget the exceedingly deli
ras.. fvxtf f.ff ~. col h.s rh
mind. until its dwarfed and starved exist
ence becomes apparent in The later hfe Of
the child-too late, perhaps, 10 ever regain
a healthy vigorous condition.
We fail TO keep always before Us that
this part of the child's nature has iifc, and
grows and develops as surely the
physical-that 1t needs favorable condi
tons as the light and air and suns hine for
the plant
Whist are these conditions;
We parents feel perhaps We are absoly cd
from all responsibility In furnishing these
conditions. because the State recognizes
so strongly the need of favorable couiI-
tions for intellectual growth, in order 10
make good citizens, lhat 1t steps in with
its invaluable public school system. Bot
IL is not the design or purpose of these
schools to furnish all the food the child
needs for It's healthy mental growth; they
are TO serve a. training schools-gym-
nasiums, where children shall learn 10 exer-
else their thinking powers learn To hold
their minds in self control, so they may be
best used in iife's work IN after years.
They throw open temptingly many gate
ways leading TO beautiful roads OF know
ledge; but there /, no time 10 lead The
child far into these roads. What can be
Hnpa In homes la sunVtemapf hp
done in the schools for our children: or
would il not he better TO say: How can
our homes become preparatory schools for
the public schools, we'll a. storehouses
of good mental food for the whole life Of
the child: For, as just when the germi
mating and early time of the plaut-life is
the time when the most watchful care is
needed, so is 1t in the early years OF the
child's mental growth that 1t needs such
care as only fathers and mothers can give
Even before the children can read aud
thus feed themselves, there comes an in
satiable desire for story telling. Here Is
the golden opportunity to begin our work !,
II Is not difficult for mothers TO believe,
as they watch their little ones in their
plays. that it is true, as scholars tell Us,
that In the normal growth of the cbild's
mind ii is the Imagination which sends
forth the first shoots. The natural food
for this age should not be withheld. Fairy
stories and folklore are as desirable for
them then as milk for babes. Common
sense must be used in not only giving
them the best Of these, but In not keeping
them too long on this diet.
Very early in life much may be done, not
only in satisfying the child's longing for
stories, but at the same time in cultivating a
love for history, If the fathers would take
few minutes of every day In telling, in
simple ways, some of the innumerable
stories to be drawn from history. If you
say you are not sufficiently well read 10
| do it, Just take a few minutes each day to
read with this in view. You would think
nothing of rising early and sitting up late
to furnish bread and clothes for your
families; show your love by being willing
| to make as great sacrifices to supply the
| little ones wants In this direction.
| You may say "Oh, this is such large
field, and have no time to roam round in
| 1t. even If the children do need it,. In
that case you can get the food all con-
| densed and prepared In form best suited
| for the little ones in such books as Coffin 8
| boys of '76, ""Old Times in the Colonies, -
THE War Of 1872" and others. The
| pleasure the children will take In after
| life In finding the stories they became
familiar with in childhood are part of the
worlds great history, will not be small.
| When the children begin to read for
themselves, then it seems indispensable to
put books into the homes. Books In the
parlor are as much necessity to the best
| welfare of the family as food in the
pantry. Here again we find outside aid
J coming to the relief of homes without