The Delta independent., 1898-04-01

Who IS RssponShie.
We hear a great deal said in these
days about the responsibility OF mothers
and the influence which they exert upon
their children. They must take the en-
tire charge Of them during their child
hood. care for the body, watch over the
developing mind and instill right princi-
Piles into the young hearts. 1t seems to
be a settled fact that upon the mother
devolves the whole duty OF training the
child for time and eternity. 1t is her
influence and prayers that mould the
character and shape the future destiny
OF her children and as she strives to in
still principles OF right and honor and
noble aims in their minds. she looks
forw ard to the future in anticipation OF
a fruitful harvest Of noble deeds and
right living as the reward OF her labor.
But while she is thus spending her life
what is the father doing to aid her in
this work: Have fathers no RESPONSE
bility in the great work Of training their
children and fitting them to become
good and useful men and womens While
the mother is sowing good seed in the
mind OF her boy the enemy is just as
busy sowing tares; and surely she needs
the fathers help and influence in this
great work.
Look at the great evil OF cigarette
smoking which is becoming such
prevalent evil among the boys and often
the girls OF today. Does the mother
teach them this art and show them how
to be smart and manly: Is it her ex-
ample that they are striving to emulate
in order to be like other boys She tries
to make her boys clean and pure and
thinks they will not want to smoke, but
when she finds that they have learned
this accomplishment she wonders where
they have acquired it. Let her look at
home and see the father smoking his
cigar in the presence Of his boy and she
will know that be is following the ex-
ample 90 constantly before him and try
ing to be q man like papa
Fathers, 10 it not time that you were
waking up to sense Of your duty in the
work Of training your children Alright
and setting them an example worthy OF
their imitation: Ought you not to be
the leader in this work and help the
mother with your precept and example.
instead OF leaving it all to her while you
stand idly by and undo her teachings:
How can you be thus uucoucerned while
your boys are being destroyed soul and
body by this monster evil, knowing that
you are setting them such An example?
When the mother in deep sorrow finds
her little boy guilty OF this debasipg
habit and tries TO show him how wrong
i, is and what an injury it will be to him
she is met by the words: Papa smokes
cigars why don't they hurt hims And
often she is told that his Sunday school
teacher or day teacher smokes and cites
to her the names OF friends. business
men. doctors, lawyers and men holding
the highest offices in the town, as q
sufficient reason for his crime.
The mothers influence and prayers so
a long way towards making the child
into a good citizen, but the great weight
OF responsibility rests on the father,
whose example in all things should be
worthy OF imitation by the boys who
are following in his footsteps.
We are glad that the laws Of our hand
make it the duty OF onr teachers to in
struct the children in regard to the in
furious effects OF alcohol and tobacco
upon the human system. But Of what
avail is it when the fathers are daily
smoking or chewing and often drinking
in the presence OF their children A
fathers example will often exert great
er influence on the mind Of a boy for
evil than all the teachings Of q mother
or teacher can counteract for good.
Further. no man has any right TO be-
queath to his children depraved ap-
petite for tobacco or liquor. for We are
told by God Himself that He will visit
the sins Of the father upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation.
Remember your children have the right
to III inheritance OF clean life free from
the taint OF narcotics. N. ID.
Pass SVrr.