The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-02-24
WHAT SHALL CHILDREN BE
TAUGHT?

Ii should try to sum up an answer
to the above question in a single word.
| would say teach the children to
think.
There is 4 great need in this coun-
try. and perhaps in others also, for
deeper reasoners and more comprehen-
sive minds, for such are the forerun-
ners of judicious independent actions,
upon which the prosperity of a self
governing people depends.
My mind to me kingdom is
says the poet: and we are advised
with all our gettings to get under
standing. For our own good, and the
good of society at large, of which we
are factors, we should possess the pow
CT to distinguish truth from error, and
be desirons to adapt fair means to
worthy ends. Is there something
wrong in the education of the children,
something wrong at the home, in the
school, the church, the social circle, or
why do these excellent qualities seem
to be losing ground:
If we reflect on the subject VIC will
be able to realize that among the lead
ing virtues truth stands uppermost.
No man, and | mean woman, too, can
hold high place in the estimation of
his fellow men, unless "hs word is as
good as his bond" He may be gra-
cionS and agreeable, polite and accom-
modating, but if he does not fulfill his
promises; if he has artful mannuvres
not visible to the unsuspecting eye,
that are going to hel p himself and
wrong others, your respect and love
for that man is gone, and gone forever
However You may forgive him for the
tricks he has practiced, You cannot
have warm affection for one who has
deceived you, nor trust him again as
before. This is human nature-you
did not SO order ii, nor can you change
it. Knowing how much superior in
nocence is to repentance, one would
think that truth and honesty would be
more carefully cultivated in the home
circle, and in all places where children
come under the care of those set apart
to be their guardians and caretakers
| believe they are often trained away
from truth rather than towards it. That
parent who makes threats that he
never intends to carry out, or neglects
to TO so, is leading the child into de-
ceit and falsehood.
The little ones are not slow to see
and to understand, and they have re-
markable Judgment in matters that
might be tEoaght beyond their com
prehension- They can see that we nag
and rebuke them for tritling and unim-
portant things, while weightier mat
ters are often passed by without COM
ment.
Many aothers almost wear them
selves out trying to drill their children
in superficial politeness; in training
ing them to say 'thank YOU on the
least occasion, and even for favors of
doubtful worth in obliging them to
carry their mouths in the latest and
most approved way; in keeping them
dressed in fashionable garments, and
them to avoid all rollicking
that might improve their
health lest it iniure fine attire; while
they permit them to be out at nights
to be obtrusive and pert in converse
ton; to eat ices and candies and
sweetmeats of all sorts; to read i'm
probable tales of goody- good children
who never lived: or of piratical adj
ventures that never happened; to chew
gum and smoke cigarettes and De
altogether needless about instructing
them in those finer attributes of the
heart and mind which lead to tender
ness for all the brute creation, and love
for all the human family of every
tongue and people, and desire to be
helpful and useful in the world. All
true courtesy springs from well dis
ciplincd Christ-illumed fountain with
in. Let us look to the inward, would
we have the outward appear attrac-
tive
Ii we long for our children to be
worthy of that good name which is
rather to be chosen than great riches;
if we wish them to be truthful and
honest and industrious and capable of
conducting any vocation they may
choose, protitably and honorably, we
must set the example of thrift and
teach them to rely on themselves.
The younger people of to-day are
having too much done for them. Faith
er and mother carry their burdens, feed
and clothe them, send them to school,
give them horses and pianos and bi-
cycles and buggies, and furnish them
with spending money that they have