The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-05

hearts of parents before giving the
child knowledge of life in its reality.
Small occasion for surprise when
mothers keep their girls In childish ig-
norance.
1t is one of the most difficult prob
lens of life, as viewed by parents.
What shall boy or girl know of
life and its pitfalls for unwary feet?
Is 1t the part of wisdom to open eyes
that look out so innocently and re-.
veal the dark shadows that Turk along
the way? How shall the knowledge
of "things as they are" be given the
child, and its nature still be left free
of faint?
One needs to be wiser than Solomon
to deal with this vital question.
Then there is the other, side of the
picture. Go into any Juvenile court
room. Spend a day or two there, and
lyou viii know that there is more
harm comes from Ignorance than from
knowledge. More danger awaits in
lnocence than it does the more sophis-
ticated child.
If we could only wrap our children
around in our love till it formed an
| impregnable barrier between them and
the guilt and sin and pain of life we
would do 1T without pang, though it
Irend our own lives. This is no figure
of speech. Mothers and fathers are
capable of wonderful self-sacrif1ce
where the child Is concerned.
1t is a sad and sorrowful thing that
the sins of the world are so visited
upon the children that they must be
armed with uncertain knowledge to be
safe from situations which would en-
danger them.
Parents used to say, ''you must not
go there or you should not do that"
without giving any reason. The child
was supposed to obey without ques-
tons. Some did, of course but many
searched out the reason for them
selves and found with it heritage of
woe. 1t is not enough to warn with
out saying why some things are wrong
and others must be avoided.
To do this excites the curiosity of
many children. They do not believe
all they hear They have been scared
by make-believe stories before. And
before the parent or child knows what
the danger is the blow falls.
No, we must not shut our eyes to
RESULTS anu the COnulIIOn OF To-Day Is
the result of the training of yester-
day and a thousand yesterdays.
Let us be brave enough, and strong
enough, and wise enough to speak the
truth to our children and tell them
tenderly and wisely. and earnestly
where the dangers of life lie.
You would not send a child along
dangerous road in the dark without n
word of warning, but that Is what
you do to your son and daughter
when you send them out of lifes path
without a word of it's dangers.
Let your words be a lamp to their
feet. Let your love be a guide post
for the way and the childish inno-
cence win not be hurt. 1t will only
be strengthened, for, with eyes open
to danger, will come a sweet lifting OF
souls to the true and better way of
life.
Boys are as we'll worth say ing as
girls though few parents seem to
think so. Shield your boy, and make
him your friend as well as your son.
Let us band together in this century
to lower the fearful rate of death and
disease with which the scientists of
today horrify us. Begin in your own
little circle and extend your influence
boundlessly and begin today. Delay
may bring untold sorrow to the child
ss well as to yourself.