Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-10-15
BY G. B. LoNGAN. Assistant

vexatior and annoyance at school. both
from the standpoint of discipline and
study. A spoiled child is disobedient
child. 1t is self-willed. 1t does not
possess teachable spirit. 1t does not
comply with direction and regulations
promptly, cheerfully and Interestingly.
1t expects to be coaxed or hired or
bribed. 1t is at war with the school
and the teacher. This kind of home
influence hinders the teacher in the. eff
forts to secure the best possible re-
suits. Obedienee-prompt and cheer
full obedience and respect for the schoo
lie at the very foundation of the most
satisfactory and successful school work
Children should, therefore. be trained
to obedience. The idea of rearing
children through a system of petting
humoring. flattering or unduly praising
and arguing with them is pernicious il
the extreme.
quote in this connection some ex
cellent thoughts from an article on thu
"Value of Obedience" published in tht
School and Home:
There is no doubt that many con
vict, in bitterness of spirit, blames his
parents for their over Indulgence
which by weakening his power of re-
sistance, b:s really been the cause OF
his landing in the penitentary. Had he
been obliged to resist the pleasant evils
of maturity; the "great, wide beauti
full world" would have given him of its
best, as it does to men who are kings
of their minds and bodies, Knowing
then, the power and the happiness re-
sulting from obedience to law, is it moi
a marvel that parents of today, espe
cially American parents, allow theil
children almost unlimited freedom tt
. follow their own wishes?
Johnnie, come in, says Mrs. Smith
IN 30, Ma, can't stay out little long
err" whiningly says Johnnie.
Il thil.. it's too damp" obviously.
Johnnie, quick to notice the hesita
tion. puts in stronger plea; no one
blames him, and he stays out. John
ME should have had no choice in tht
matter. His mother called him; sh'
4 should make him obey. The mothe
who foollsnly argues may as well mak'
up her mind that the day is lost, ant
resign herself of being relegated to thu
position of cook and sewing woman.
"But do you not think children shoulC
be reasoned With" says a shocked new
woman.
"Yes. after they have obeyed.'
"Herman must mind as he walks
without thinking about it, said Ger
man mother to a teacher. ''He does
not know what is good for him, as you
and do" And Herman will probably
turn out well balanced citizen, obey
ing the laws of his country, even if he
does not entirely approve of them.
So say that the greatest kindness
teachers and parents can do child il
to demand instant, unquestioning, un
reasoning obedience. The type of citi
zen which is being reared by the an
xious mother, desirous of developing
her child's individuality; and by tn
hampered teacher, willing, but unabl
to exact obedience, will do little credi
to either.
The world will turn the cold should
er to the youth who must know the rea
son for every order. If Casabianca ha
been trained by modern methods. h
could certainly not have stayed on tn
deck "whence all but him had fled.
We are not turning out that kind
They have gone out of fashion! Blu
the fashion for young men have nc
changed. The kind that are on dec
and whose employers know just wha
part of the deck to find them, will eve
be in great demand. But whence wi
the supply come?
So in my judgment the greatest Isl
of commission" on the part of parent
is the training of their children to di;
obedience and want of respect for auth
ority. This namby-pamby method c
reasoning with irrational beings and ir
diligence in the whims and follies c
childhood is felt not only in the schoC
but it has its influence in the social Of
ganlsms of our civilization all the wa
from the family to the state.
Respect for authority should be If
culcated at home, the kindergarten. c
the school, of society, and OF the stat'
| ask your attention now, to whs
NAV be termed sin of commission.
allude to that of indifference. III
sin is almost universal; not real indl
ference always, but practical lndlfte
ence. Parents send their children
school to be educated. They say it
the teachers business to look aftt
them at school, and they can't be Doll
y cred with school affairs. They have
y time to write notes, or answer notes
TO visit the school. Notwithstanding
mothers and fathers too have bee
I. oown to scour the neighborhood to g
hearsay testimony as to what kind
teacher they are having to confer
with. They depend on the childre'
and trust implicitly both to their judg
- ord verac,tv for their kn0wled'