| 486 For the Times and Seasons.
TO PARENTS.
(Concluded.)
One grand principle in the government of children is, for the parent to have equally as much or more interest for the welfare and happiness of his children, than they themselves have. Another is, to convince them by an example of virtue, and the display of superior wisdom, that he is competent to stand as their counsellor [counselor], and worthy to rule in their conduct: and a third is, to administer justice and judgment with an even temper, and an equal hand in all cases under his parental jurisdiction and power. These are three important principles in the administration of all governments where the good of mankind is contemplated, but more particularly in that of families-and by the exercise of which, children may begin to be influenced to willing obedience, due respect, and living pleasure, in parental authority, even before they are able to lisp their own mother tongue; and thus the more safely led on, in the practice of virtue, and to tread the pathway for usefulness in riper years.
The minds of children are more flexible and attractive, while in infancy, and may then be more easily and successfully influenced to the love and practice of correct principles; and no time need be lost for want of age, for all their infant sports and amusements may be made so many instruments of instruction to their tender minds; and their toils and disappointments, and their numerous changes and mischievous experiments to which they often resort, are no less than so many opportunities to begin to plant in their minds the deeds of true nobility and greatness; for it is by the convincing power of experience, in connexion [connection] with appropriate instructions in every passing incident that comes under their notice in these early hours, that their character and notion of things begins to be contracted. The parent, therefore, whose mind is well fortified against the powers of fashion and indifference, by a true sense of his obligation, and a proper understanding of his duty, will in no wise let the golden moment of infancy pass from the head of their offsprings without sealing to their minds every possible token of the faithful discharge of the same.
Parents should therefore, not only possess an interest for their children, but let it be manifest sufficiently to secure their confidence that no good thing will be withholden that is possible for them to have. The performance of this part of parental duty calls for a liberal exercise of the attributes of love and kindness which awaken the spirit of affection and forbearance in the mind, and overlooks the errors and faults of children, and also gives patience an pleasure to listen to their numberless little inquiries, and to serve their innocent demands. The faults of children however, should not always be overlooked, neither should they be put to the whip for encouraging a reckless and petulent [petulant] disposition, and punished when they cannot otherwise be rendered faithful and obedient. When children are punished, it should always be attended with a perfect subjection of the will; and when forgiven, with counsel and reproof; and no fault should be forgiven, that the child will not confess, nor punishment inflicted without a sense of guilt; and thus children will be always penitent when punished, and greatful [grateful] when forgiven, while the tie of parental love and kindness will serve, not as abusing it, to kindle the flame of vanity and dissipation, but as a mighty engine to bind their affections more closely to the arm of correction and the sound of reproof.
Hence appears the necessity of the principle of virtue for example, and of wisdom to direct, without which parental kindness and love could not secure the end intended, for no council would be given, however productive of good, and no pleasure refused, however productive of evil. But when the lenient feelings of the heart are directed by the exercise of wisdom, and polished by the practice of virtue, this danger subsides, and true merit and excellence is seen springing up on every hand.-Where then is wisdom, and where is the virtuous life? Open the doors and come in ye pearls of purest luster, and shake terribly the powers that bind the understanding of the sons and daughters of Adam's line; and break the fetters from their feet. Arise ye children of the blest; ye parents, awake, behold the Lord hath crowned you with blessings; and treasures fill your borders; for, lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Awake then, rise up and shake off the trembling power of the fashions, and the binding chains of indifference, and listen to the voice of wisdom, for she crieth in the gates, and her voice is unto the children of men. Hear, for she speaketh excellent things, and the words of her mouth are truth and righteousness, and there is nothing froward [forward ?] or perverse in them. She dwelleth with prudence, and virtue is in her companion, and length of days are in her hand. Wisdom hath builded her house, and her habitation is in the midst of the treasures of knowledge. Blessed are they that walk in her ways; watching daily at her gates for instruction, and refuse it not. Lay hold upon her munition, ye fathers, and resort to her strong hold ye mothers, that your
(page 486) |
