| 468 the voice of command, and nothing encouraged in his faithfulness, will comply from necessity and fear, if at all, and not from a sense of duty, pleasure or respect.
With feelings thus alienated, there is not therefore, at least so great a probability of the children reflecting honor back upon the head of the parent; for, if even after the child comes to the years of maturity, and finds that in consequence of a bad example he has imbibed a wrong turn of character, he should at least conscientiously, or advisedly embrace the principles and practice of virtue; and independent of parental influence become great, and useful; he could not with propriety, arise and ascribe to the parent the blessing of his accidental transition from the gloomy cells of shame and contempt, to the temple of honor and fame.
There is therefore a double inducement for the parent to exercise the necessary means for the faithful government of his children-the most sacred trust that heaven has placed in his hands-which is, not only the rich harvest of virtue and bliss that shall crown their heads, but also the perpetuation of a good name among the posterity of good and great men to the latest generation. See to it then, ye fathers, and ye mothers in Israel; ye saints of the Most High. Arise in the dignity and authority of your place and calling, and watch over your sons and your daughters with a faithful and a jealous eye; and while the attributes of truth and love hold dominion in your hearts; swaying their scepters with cleansing influence in all your borders. Gather their wandering affections, if any such there are, and by patient perseverance both in precept and example, seal them to yourselves with more than angelic fondness and purity, and prove that the fear of God is verily before your eyes; for who, that lives in the light and blaze of gospel truth and liberty as it is poured down upon the saints in these days, and traineth not his children in the path of virtue, that can say: 'The fear of the Lord is with me!' Let not then, those who have named the name of the Lord, submit to furnish ground for even the councils of the just made perfect, to find one single trace of treachery or deception in the motives connected with the performance of a duty of so great an importance as the government of children; that the hope of the blest may shine forth in your lives, and your works continue.
Having now spoken in general terms of the importance of this subject, it may not be amiss to give some reflections that are more directly in relation to practice-not aiming however, to any thing [anything] more than if possible to encourage the more faithful performance of a duty so much neglected among men.
Children are generally strict observers of the words and actions of mankind, even before they are able to understand their meaning, and not unfrequently [infrequently] attempt, innocently to imitate what they see done, or hear said, no matter how poisonous in its character, or loathing in its influences over their minds. This relates more particularly to the earliest period of life, when children are more directly under the care of the mother, and which is the very time when the most permanent formation of character takes place. So, at least, the Phrenologist would say. But it is not here the intention to follow that channel, neither is it necessary;-for the position is abundantly supported by each day's experience, that the ruling features in the character of man, are formed by the age of about twelve years. This gives the mother almost an entire sway over the destinies of our race. What then, that is virtuous, and amiable and refining should not the mother possess to be duly qualified for so important a trust?-Nor is the father in any way exempt; for, as he is the head to direct, and the chief to command, and the prince to reign in the empire of his family; and naturally possessing a deeper research of mind, a more profound judgment, and a more skillful understanding; let him apply his wisdom to control, and according to the principles of virtue, every influence that shall pass in all the realm of his own house. This brings to view a faint glimmer of the beauties of a well regulated family authority, or order by which each one may know their rightful power, and the channel of their duty, whether of instruction, or of counsel, or of obedience. But to return.
Finding that the mother holds so important a stand in the government of children, there is no source of information, whether it is by counsel, or by instruction, or by obedience, that she in wisdom could neglect, so long as she is able thereby to attain to one single spark of the fire of virtuous influence to administer in the court of her little family.
HEMONI
(To be Continued)
Elder Taylor,
Sir,-I forward this communication to you to make what disposal of it you may judge proper.
B. YOUNG.
Feb. 12, 1844.
Dear Brother Young,-I left this place on the sixth of December last, according to the council, and traveled in an easterly direction, preaching three or four times a week. I baptized two at Mackenaw, stopped at Bloomington, McLean Co. Illinois, and baptized three. I proceeded
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