The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-19


Upon the influence Of home life are
a child's thoughts, ambitions and love
educated, and accordingly are these
traits revealed in after life. when he
gravitates naturally 20 his most con-
genial sphere
To all, the responsibilities of good
examples are very great, but 70 the
guardians OF youth they are meal
culable. FOR no amount OF pretext is
enectuaI. IL example be missing.
The associations Of youth are Pc
cuIiarly indelible. and no one can for
sec by what little thing an impress
sionable child may be innuenced-a
melody-a gentle Iook-a gesture-the
odor of certain garden fowers-a
frown-an injustice, may alike affect
their thoughts. from the dawn 70 the
end of memory. for memory has as
many moods as the temper and shifts
its scenery like a diorama.
When loving associations have been
accommodating within us for years.
even the possible suggestion that there
could be any substitute for them seems
almost sacrilege.
George Eliot says ''the Illusions that
began for US when we were less &C
auainted with evil have lost none OF
their value when we discern them TO
be fllusions-they feed the ideal bet
ter and IN loving them still. We
strengthen the perciOus habit OF low
ing something. not visibly. tangibly
existent but a spiritual product OF
our visible tangible selves cherish
the childish loves and association
the memory Of that warm little nest
80 ar1r lee
with equal force, however, comes
the remembrance Of unEindness, cru
city, and all forms OF Injustice, and
what more accumulative IN its effects
than bitterness from which emanates
atheism and almost every sad char
acteristic to which the flesh is heir.
What little child was ever taught
Christianity or the love OF God BIZ the
fearful doctrine Of he'll fire only And
what little heart perIneated with tho
natural impulses OF youth was ever
made happy or good BY monotonous
doctrines and the eternal consequences
of good conduct ChildhoOd's longinEs
are not always perversely obstinate,
and 20 the little girl whose armE are
hungry for a doll there can be found
no sOIace in housekeeping reel pes.
nor, with any degree OF satisfaction,
to a boy can Gibbons Rome ever
substitute the joys of a jack-knife.
The exercise OF childhOOd's duties
are as important as those of after life,
but 50 also should they find recon-
pense in childish pleasures, which will
ever. encourage and feed the memories
of love and justice.
II Ignorance IS painless evil, Sc
also are the memories Of those merry,
innocent childhood's days, the
thoughts OF which, Ike the sun. rise
every morning TO food the day with
happiness and to which rays respond
and blossom Hfe's highest impulses.
In Hfes complicated game, when the
devices Of skill are 50 frequently de-
feated by Unforeseen and unavoidable
Incidents. what better Offset to depres-
sion than memories. 10 which ones
mind naturally reverts? And such
cheerfulneSs not only makes life de-
sirable. but from a practical stand
point is a fine asset for all.
In encouraging children by example,
associations. environment. and every
rational form Of Indulgence, one bene-
fits humanity IN general.
The future of this country depends
upon its children. and their success
depends most largely upon their early
influences and associations.