The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-05-20
GOOD LESSONS.
CHILDHooD'S TRAITS.
They Teach Us Some Things.

They Teach Us Some Things.
Harriet L. Shoemaker IN S. s. Times.
A child is such a curious and COM.
plex piece OF humanity that comment
on general traits will not always apply
to each individual. A few of the promi-
nent characteristics of most children
may, perhaps, be considered with profit
despite the number necessarily passed
over.
We adults are sometimes impatient
at the faculty for endless questioning
displayed by every child. When we
stop to think what an odd and interest
Ing place this world is, and how fascin-
ating in Its beauty, its plant and animal
life, its rocks and flowers, besides all
the other bewitchlng fields where curl
osity can revel, is it any wonder that a
child overfows with keen desire to find
out everything and anything? What
better way has he to learn than by in
quiring? Shall we be help, not a
hindrance, to the eager learner? and,
instead of putting. him aside with an
impatient II don't know" or run
away, dear, I'm busy" shall we spend
few minutes explaining that which to
him is strange? Often an explanation
reveals new beauty in the Oldest of
tales, and the child is not the only one
benefited by his question. It would be
to our credit if we ourselves were as
alert for knowledge as the average child
Is, and did we discover oftener our need
of appealing to our superiors.
It is also noticeable that children al
ways expect truth from others until
they have been deceived many times
How much we need to learn to be
absolutely true with them, to keep
promises, to guard acts as we'll as lips,
i'm fact, to cultivate being upright!
A third trait carries its lesson with it
most children are instlnctively enter
tanning. Notice how quickly the three
year-old brings her doll to show father
when he comes in, and how the boy
Graves company in the Joy of his new
est treasure. Indeed, 1t is not unlikely
that many child who displays some
article of dress for admiration
is not showing vanity alone, but the
social and generous trait of sharing his
pleasure with some one else.
Little people are often accused of be-
ing selfish. So they are, but so are we
too! Since we recognize common
fault, let us examine the example set
before them. It is example that carries
weight at home, and some OF it will not
bear TOO close imitation on the line OF
unselfishness
And, lastly, almost every small child
responds so readily to training in rever-
ence, and respect for God and sacred
things, that one may venture to include
those characteristics, In spite of the
irreverence of some older children.
Alas, how often thoughtless speech
or Joke of ours shocks the listener we
overlook!
We cannot be too careful in our man.
ner OF talking about God, or of address
ing him. The smallest child will re-
cognize reyerent tone, though he does
not understand the words of the prayer.
The minister and church services, also,
should always be mentioned with res.
pect before children, no matter how
they may disagree with our standards.
Personal prejudice has absolutely no.
thing to do with this point. Rever-
ence is too delicate plant, too easily
uprooted and destroyed, to be left un-
The traits OF little people are we'll
worth study, for the lessons they teach
are those we all need to sweeten and
broaden our characters, to help us be-
come more Christllke.
James Whitcomb Riley voices this
sentiment
"The coolest man as ever was
Is worse AN badest childs."
And most observers OF children will |
admit its truth.