Evening star., 1936-09-21
Emotion Can
Leave Deep
Impres sion.
Young Have Suscep-
tible Minds-Fear
Should Be Avoided.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

"A T A GATHERING OF motnerS
somebody put the question,
"what memory of your childhood is
sharpest today?" The answers were
of the sort to indicate that fear made
the sharpest impression, but carries
with 1t feeling of helplessness, dis
like, failure. Joy seemed to have made
somewhat less of an impression, but
its feeling was stimulating, happy
and tended toward a will to succeed.
Each foremost memory that was
recalled had been accompanied by
keen emotion. Deep-rooted fear,
anger, hate, belonged in one group,
ell accompanying unhappy memories.
Love, JOY, hope, success and its upllft
accompanied the other set, all of them
happy, stimulating memories. This
will prove true of any review OF child
hood memories, even memories OF q
more advanced stage. We remember
longest and recall most clearly the
event that was accompanied by strong
emotion. We can use that basic
fact in setting ideas and consequent
habits of behavior.
Inasmuch as fear carries with 1t
. distasteful memory accompanied by
dislike, 1t is not the one to use II it
can be avoided. That means, too, that
We should try to avoid arousing fear
and anger in children when we are
trying to teach them. We want to
rear them in health. in strength of
spirit. Fear, the poisonous emotion.
will not help us to that end. But
love and joy and understanding will
always help.
In this connection I like the story
of Mrs. Wesley, the mother of the
famous brothers, John and Charles.
She decided that it was time to teach
them the alphabet. She prepared
their minds for happy event of
great importance. Something that
would mean great joy to them for
all their lives was to come and soon.
When? Next Wednesday morning at
10 o'clock.
The boys talked about this mys-
terious happening, wondering, ques-
tioning, guessing what it might be.
Their mother would only say, 1T is
very important. 1t means a great
deal to you IN the future. On Wednes-
day you will know"
Two days, Tuesday, Wednesday,
really only one day-the boys counted.
Soon they would know the treat in
store for them. Wednesday morning
they were up and about early. Their
mother, dressed in her best, said they
were to wear their best clothes, too.
Then, in gala attire, by the fireside
in the parlor, the little lads learned
their alphabet in two hours. They
remembered that event with reverence
and delight all their days. You can
judge for yourself whether or not
that alphabet meant much to them
one the hymn writer, the other the
great reform preacher.
Any lesson driven home in associa-
ton with emotion sticks. Be careful
about its use. 1t can bless and it
can damn those upon whom its power
Is used Frighten a child with dog
and he fears dogs forever after. Please
him with a dog and he loves them
ss friends and companions all his life.
Teach school subject in true fashion,
enlisting the sympathy and under
standing of the child, and you endow
him with knowledge that is power.
Present 1T as a hateful task, accom-
panied by deprivation and punish
ment, and you make it matter Of
avoidance and loathing ever after.
Emotion is the driving force Of men,
ory. 1t Is better to reverence it than
to abuse it.
(Copyright, 1850