THE MOTHER'S MAGAZINE: FOR APRIL, 1834. For the Mother's Magazine SAILING IN THE TEMPERANCE SHIP. Dear William.-When I saw you, more than two years since, you were then small; but two years make a great difference in children and youth of your age. I remember that I felt interested for you, as I always do for young people of your age, who are forming their characters, and are anxious that the rising generation should grow wiser than their ancestors; which they may do, by avoiding what they see amiss in others, and by improving the means, which in our day, are presented in every enlightened community. The first question William, which I would ask you is, do you sail in the temperance ship? I will tell you an interesting story which will explain the reason of my asking the question. A few years ago there lived in our village an amiable little boy, about the age of my little son. They were educated in the same school, mates of the same class, until about seven years of age, when a change in the school seemed necessary that excluded little ones, and from that time we knew less about him. His parents are wealthy and respectable, and among the leading members of our society. The father not being pious, and thinking it proper to rear his family according to the course of this world, sent his son to dancing schools, cotillion parties, and fashionable circles, all of which the father would sometimes attend, and in some would often take the lead. Wine and other palatable liquors probably circulated freely-the boy tasted, loved, andwas spoiled: and the first time I heard of his complete overthrow was at a dancing party. His father was often solicited to join the temperance society, but like many others who are not sensible of the influence they exert over their children, thought it not necessary, as he made but a temperate use of ardent spirits. Mistaken parents are they, who thus trifle with the destinies of their children; surely it may be said of them, "they know not what they do." This once lovely little boy has become a profligate young man; by the combined influence of indulgence, bad company, and a depraved appetite, he is, probably, ruined for ever. His roving mind took a turn to go to sea-His parents remonstrated, but all in vain. Last summer he went to New-York, and while waiting for an opportunity 50 SAILING IN THE TEMPERANCE SHIP. to get on board a vessel, he plunged deeper in vice than before, and his father who had about discarded him, sent friends to get him well off. They were so fortunate as to find a place for him on board a temperance ship, bound to China. All the comfort his anxious parents now have about him is, that he sailed in a temperance ship. O thought I, had he sailed in a temperance ship when a child, and had his father been captain and director at the helm, what a mercy it would have been for the dear child. This is a little story. I will now tell you a greater one. In a small house in this vicinity lives an unfortunate family. The head, the father of seven sons, was for many years given to the inebriating cup, and his family was consequently reduced to penury. About the time I moved to this place, I was told (for I did not then know the family), that a surprising change had taken place in Mr. -'s manner of drinking—that he drank, but moderately, and was becoming industrious. This was true, and what was very singular, he set up a grocery to deal out to others that poison of which he partook rather more sparingly himself. In this way his family became more comfortably supported, but the mischief was still at work. An atmosphere so tainted with poisonous effluvia became infectious. Some of the sons who were fair and promising began to tipple. O how my heart has ached as I witnessed the approaching change in one, and another, and another of these children. One poor simple boy broke into his father's grocery on the sabbath, and drank so freely that he was brought home sick and laid upon the bed from which he was never removed until he was carried out a corpse. One would have supposed this would have been a warning to the surviving brothers-not so. The two next have long been pests in society. Not long since, one of them in a rage at a neighbor of his, took an axe to destroy him, and, as he supposed, left him dead. It was thought by every body for some time, that the author of this tragical deed must come to the gallows; but the mangled man eventually recovered, and so the doom of this unfortunate young man was State's Prison. When my son and I were travelling some months since, we called at the prison, and among the wretched inmates, saw our neighbor making chairs. As we were walking past the workmen, he raised his eyes and looked at us, then cast them to the ground, probably to be sure that his neighbors stood before him, he raised them again, then turned his back. I had not seen him look so sober, so calm, so much like himself, for many years. O what a pity that this undone young man did not early sail in the temperance ship. Now I will tell you another little story, not to boast, for the orphan's Friend has been my helper. When my son was about fourteen years of age, he went to live for a short time in B- While there, temperance societies began to be formed in that region of country, and he joined. Afterward a society was formed exclusively of young people, and he was selected as one of the committee to draft a constitution. As new means and measures for doing good are generally opposed, he with his associates, of course, were sneered at and ridiculed. Notwithstanding the opposition, they marched forward and formed a youth's society of nearly one hundred. This society has pros GOOD EFFECTS OF EARLY DISCIPLINE. 51 pered and now numbers more than four hundred members. Although there are yet some sad tales that may be told of us in this country, the good cause of temperance is gaining ground, and many a youth will by this means be saved from ruin. My son is now teaching school a few miles from home, he comes to see me once a week, and I often think with grateful emotions what a favor it is that he sails so near home, and that too in the temperance ship. Now William, as you are about to set sail on the ocean of life, let me advise you to see to it that your little bark be properly ballasted, by sound principles derived from the word of God. Nothing that I could hear from you, would afford me so much joy, as to know that you were sailing in the ark of safety, having that faith in Christ which will be as an anchor to the soul, to keep it sure and steadfast, through all the boisterous storms of this weary life. Young people are prone to anticipate a pleasant voyage; yet be assured that storms are ahead, as all persons of age and experience will tell you, and it is wisdom to prepare, while in youth, by a counterpoising force, to prevent upsetting in the day of temptation. I hope some day to see you in this country, but whether I ever see you again or not, I would now say-Let the sails you set on the ocean of life be inflated with the purifying breezes of heaven, and let your Saviour be the pilot; that your soul may at last be wafted to the port of peace and safety. For the Mother's Magazine. GOOD EFFECTS OF EARLY DISCIPLINE. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." THERE is a practical illustration of this truth, which I have often noticed in my daily professional occupations. It is founded on the different effect upon disease, by a mind tumultuous and agitated by the fears of death, and a mind at peace with God, resting in faith upon his promises, and prepared to enter the eternal world.—The power of a fearful imagination to induce, or protract disease, is familiar to all physicians, as they can mark its baneful influence; but some, perhaps, may not appreciate the benefits of an opposite state of mind—a spirit quieted by divine grace. So strongly does the passion of fear sometimes operate, as to turn the scale against life, where peace of mind would have reversed the issue. In one instance, which my memory furnishes, the fear of death induced a fatal issue, even where there was not sufficient disease to warrant any alarm. But there is a more particular illustration of the truth, that religion brings with it a blessing in this life, which as it bears upon the moral education of the young, I shall offer to the notice of fathers and mothers. Not unfrequently has my solicitude been increased, and sometimes my expectations disappointed, by an inability on the part of indulgent parents, to induce an obstinate child to take the potions prescribed. I do not doubt that there are early victims to the want of good parental government. I shall 52. GOOD EFFECTS OF EARLY DISCIPLINE. illustrate my position by presenting a picture, which is the happy reverse of this, for the encouragement of pious parents, and is worthy the imitation of all. In the summer of 1830 I attended the only child of a father and mother, who, having given themselves to God, had also taken the resolution to rear their offspring for him. I remember, that at the birth of their first-born, a son, of whom I shall speak, who was immediately committed to God in prayer by his father. When one year old, that child was attacked with fever, after the abatement of which, he became the subject of a dangerous and protracted dysentery. From earliest infancy, the parents had exercised a steady and united moral discipline, the happy fruits of which, they were now to reap. During the whole of the child's sickness, there was a fixedness of purpose with the parents, and a resolute prosecution of my directions, which greatly alleviated my anxieties for the event. The disease pressed with unusual violence, and threatened from week to week, and from day to day, to conquer the constitution of the child, and to baffle every attempt to rescue it. But each new invasion of disease was met by the parent with prompt and steady purpose. The medicines were brought to the little sufferer, with a manner which prompted a ready acquiescence on his part to take them. They were never declined, although sometimes presented with great frequency. When the child was suffering from pain, he was carried about in the untiring arms of his father, or soothed by the fond caresses of the mother; but the first symptom of impatience or fretfulness was promptly checked as alike subversive of their authority, and tending to the injury of the boy. On one occasion, I remember that I found the child in his father's arms, restless, and incapable of being pacified by all the soothing attentions bestowed upon him. His father said to me, on entering the chamber, I am glad that you have come Sir, I am at a loss to understand whether it is from bodily suffering, or from wilful dissatisfaction, that my child cannot be appeased-What do you think? After a short observation, I replied, I believe the boy is trying to avail himself of your uncertainty, to establish his authority. His father immediately arranged his cradle, and kindly laid him in it, with the remark, "My son, you must now lie still and go to sleep." The tone of voice was one which he had learnt to obey, and the direction was immediately complied with. I was at the time struck with the physical benefit of the moral medicine, and I have since thought, that perhaps this very discipline may have held the tender thread of life from rupture. At all events, the continued action of this species of government, so controlled the affections and feelings of the little sufferer, and so effectually husbanded the strength and nervous power of the child, that he was sustained under a disease, which, with other management, I think must have proved fatal. That boy is now under the same guidance, a child of promise. Parents, would you add to the probability of your child's being spared to your affections, and participate in the certainty that if spared, he shall be your crown of rejoicing. Then, in the fear of God, and in perfect confidence of the divine blessing, kindly, but firmly, in sickness and in health, govern him. A PHYSICIAN. TO MOTHERS OF YOUNG FAMILIES. 53 For the Mother's Magazine. TO MOTHERS OF YOUNG FAMILIES. THE subject of Christian education is universally acknowledged to be one of paramount importance, and the station of a Christian mother, one of the highest responsibility, and yet I fear it is not felt to be such by most mothers, especially by such as have the charge of very young children. Some of the common errors of early education, I would respectfully submit to the consideration of Christian mothers. 1. It is to be feared that mothers are not sufficiently prayerful. Daily, fervent, earnest prayer should be offered for the blessing of God upon our infant families. "Oh! that" our children "may live before Thee !" should be our unceasing petition, never faltering in faith or in fervor. Without thus urgently imploring the aid of the Holy Spirit, all efforts are worse than vain: they are presumptuous. 2. Obedience, implicit, filial, loving obedience, is not strenuously enforced during the early years of a child's life. Many mothers very erroneously suppose that it is impracticable to exact strict obedience from a very young child; and those who would not hesitate to enforce obedience from a child of six or ten years of age, shrink from exacting it from a child of two. This, I conceive to be a fundamental error of education; for obedience is the foundation, the corner stone of all the other virtues. Form then habits of early obedience in your infant;-let it consider a parent's command as an irrevocable law, from which there is no appeal, and you can mould it as you will. A mother's laws should be formed and given, only after prayer and mature deliberation; but once given, she must permit no entreaties, not even the most persevering supplications, on the part of her little one, to induce her to relent. She must be as unyielding as a rock. I know, by sad experience, how difficult it is to remain thus firm,-how hard to turn a deaf ear to the winning accents, and beseeching tears of infancy; but I can give one infallible recipe to aid mothers in their resolutions. Lift up your hearts in inward and fervent supplication to your Heavenly Father, and He will give you strength to triumph over every struggle. Some will call you harsh, if you persist in this firmness. Heed it not. Be invincible. You will be indeed cruel to your child if you do not; and worse even than this; you violate a solemn, sacred duty to your God, for it is the duty of every mother to insist upon obedience from her child, as early as it is capable of yielding it;—and that is much earlier than most mothers imagine. When my little girl was sixteen months old, she began to join words. Her first attempt was "Dear mamma!" She had been able to say it for a week or two, articulating distinctly. One day, her father asked her to say it for him. She shook her little head; "Oh, no, papa!" she said. We unitedly entreated her to say it, for half an hour. She obstinately persisted in refusing to obey. Her father said, “You should conquer this obstinacy." I led her by the hand into an adjoining apartment, and closed the door. She stamped |