West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-09-28
TRAINING OF BOYS AND GIRLS.
A Paper Read by Mrs. Lena shaFer
Before the Farmers' Institute ut
Gainesville Recently.

await our boys and girls, the realization Of
our responsibility towards them almost makes
us tremble. When shall we begin and how
shall we proceed in the training Of oul
children that they may attain those principles
OF character which exalt manhood and
womanhood In the first place the train.
ING should begin very early in the ehild'S
life. mother once asked Of wise man
IN whom she had great confidence, ''When
shall begin the training Of my child 2 -
GLOW old is your child ?" he asked. 1.-TWO
years old" 'well my friend you have los,
two years already"
A Roman Catholic has said, .Giye n, the
children until they are ten years old and we
are sure Of them"
Sow the seeds of truth and right in the
hearts of your children as they climb your
knees and lean on your bosoms, before the
world has had the opportunity to plant the
seeds OF sin and iniquity; then when they
come In contact with the world and stand
face to face with temptation they will have
the strength of character necessary TO say
NO. do not say that this is rule without
an exception. There may be many except.
ions to the rule, but in my mind IL is the
rule nevertheless. Again, how often do we
learn OF men and women who, after having
been stepped in sin for many years, being
brought back into the paths of recutude
through the influence of those years of early
training.
One Of the first lessons the child should
learn is the one of obedience; not obedience
through fear of being punished, but obed.
fence through love, and fear of displeasing
his parent should he disobey. And to secure
obedience of this kind il is necessary TO
govern through love and reasoning with the
child. Don't be afraid to show your love
Tor your child or do not hesitate to coddle il
tn the fear of spelling it by too much pet
ting. Coddiing does not mean indulgence,
neither does showing your love for your
child prevent you from being as firm as steel
where hrmness is necessary.
BE sure that your child is able to perform
the task that you may assign him and then
see TO II that he does not shirk or try to put
IN onto a brother or sister. have in mind
mother, model one, 1 thought, in many
respects, but who, in this one, was sadly
lacking. have heard her command her
children in this wise, ''Bennie, bring me
bucket OF water" 81 brought the last one /;
tell John to do it," 'Johnny you bring me
bucket of water" al had the coal to
bring make Kate do it," And so the com.
mand would go the round Of all the children
and do not remember now whether that
mother finally brought the water herself or
not. Expect your child to do Just what you
ask him to do and he will soon learn to obey
promptly and without a murmur. II the
child should want to do wrong and you know
1t, show him the wrong. Help him to see
It as you see it and almest invariably you
will win him TO the side of right. For
example, little boy, whom know we'll,
wished to play game OF checkers on San
day. "Willie," his mama said, 'The Lord
has given you six days to play checkers or
ball or to do anything you wish but on Sun
day He wants you to you to put away your
checker-board and your ball and 90 to
Sunday School and study your Bible and
rest from all those things which you do
through the week and if you play checkers
today You will be committing SIN and It
will grieve the Lord very much. Now
Willie do you want to play your game 1''
''No, ma'am," came the quick response and
don't believe Willie ever wanted 10 play
game Of checkers on Sunday after that.
Never betray the confidence of your child.
II you have promised him anything from
whipping to a colt, fulfill that promise as you
would most sacred obligation. You can
not do otherwise aud retain your Influence
over him.
lie careful to set good example before
him. You are your child's ideal. Its
daily Patterning its life after your own
though you may no, know il. As you value
IN It strong, noble character, so speak and
&C, before it that you bring no, reproach
upon your own head.
If your child has been faithful in task
give him the praise which he deserves. Tell
him that he has pleased you and what a
comfort il is to You to have such du,iful
child and note his little face light up with
the joy of having pleased you. Don't you
suppose that his duties will be less irksome
and that his affection for you will be
strengthened when he hears those words of
appreciation from your lips7 o that we
would LEI our children behold the place they
have in our hearts That we would do
more eoddling and reasoning with them and
less whipping without their understanding
Why we do IL Not that would Danish the
whip forever no I would not do that, but
like to keep it in the background to use only
when reasoning fails.
Make companions Of your children. In.
ierest yourself in their games and sports.
Play games with them. And should tbev
come to you With questions, which they Ger.
tainly will. don't put them Of with an 81
don't know" OF send them TO Uncle John
or Aunt Hetty when you can impan the
knovledge which they seek. And the CON.
panions Of your children. Al : there Is the
question which confronts ms all We can.
not always, though we would do 50, choose
for them the best Of eompanionships It's
necessary that they mingls more or less with
those from whom Tou would have them
widely separated.
Only the other evening had occasion 10
be in one The stores Of this village and there
together, ranging in age probably from nine
70 fourteen, we're several boys who. AZ that