Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

"Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry."-ECCLES. 7-9.

(Continued from page 245, Vol. 8.)

We do not deny, as we have before remarked, that
reproof, and even punishment, may be needed; but we
would have you to remember that it should be a kind
and gentle voice to administer the one-it should be a
tender, delicate, and skilful hand to inflict the other.
Remember, too, that punishment is not the only means
of correcting the faults of childhood; and rest assured,
that when it is necessary, it can never be advantageously
administered to the young except it be applied by those
whom they love, and by whom they are beloved. Love, be
assured, must be at the root of all. You can never gain
any real ascendancy over the minds of youthful females
until you have bound them to yourselves with the silken
cords of love. When you have once obtained the strong-
hold of affection-when you have once learned the happy
-but judging by the rareness with which it is found-
the difficult art of so blending the friend with the in-
structor, as to conciliate love without losing respect,
then, and not till then, will you be able to exercise real
influence upon the young. Are we not told by an
authority that cannot err, that "the cords of love are the
bands of a man"? Yes, and of a child too.
The young

heart may be drawn, yea, fast bound with these golden
cords; and this powerful attractive, this mild influence
of love, shall produce fruit more sweet and precious than
was ever yet found to spring from bare authority un-
modified with love-from frowns untempered with smiles.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

"Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry."-ECCLES. 7-9.

(Continued from page 245, Vol. 8.)

We do not deny, as we have before remarked, that reproof, and even punishment, may be needed; but we would have you to remember that it should be a kind and gentle voice to administer the one-it should be a tender, delicate, and skilful hand to inflict the other. Remember, too, that punishment is not the only means of correcting the faults of childhood; and rest assured, that when it is necessary, it can never be advantageously administered to the young except it be applied by those whom they love, and by whom they are beloved. Love, be assured, must be at the root of all. You can never gain any real ascendancy over the minds of youthful females until you have bound them to yourselves with the silken cords of love. When you have once obtained the stronghold of affection-when you have once learned the happy -but judging by the rareness with which it is found the difficult art of so blending the friend with the instructor, as to conciliate love without losing respect, then, and not till then, will you be able to exercise real influence upon the young. Are we not told by an authority that cannot err, that "the cords of love are the bands of a man"? Yes, and of a child too. The young

heart may be drawn, yea, fast bound with these golden cords; and this powerful attractive, this mild influence of love, shall produce fruit more sweet and precious than was ever yet found to spring from bare authority unmodified with love-from frowns untempered with smiles.

[blocks in formation]

Let us love the youthful objects of our solicitude; and it cannot be that our efforts to influence them should be altogether in vain. There is the greatest probability that the conduct we exhibit will be imitated, the feelings we express will be imbibed, the principles we cherish will be adopted. It must remain for ourselves to decide whether the almost unbounded power we have acquired shall be exerted for good or evil: for the young heart to which we have gained access will very seldom fail to vibrate in unison with our own. And let no one say that it is a difficult thing to win the affections of the young. Bad as human nature is, the youthful heart is warm and affectionate.

My thoughts, while saying this, rest upon those loved and loving girls whose minds it has been my happy privilege to have had so large a share in forming-the blooming members of my little private school-room. Another superadded field of labour has been assigned me—a field which proves, though proof we needed not, that a susceptibility to kindness is confined to no station -that love is as much the property of the poor as of the rich, and that all hearts are open to its sweet and blessed influence. God, whose gracious will it sometimes is to use and to honour the feeblest instrumentality, has issued forth his command to one of the weakest of his handmaidens—“Feed my lambs." And who, being called into the vineyard, would dare refuse to work there? Who would not rather rejoicingly go forth and do as the great Husbandman has said! Four years ago the Mary School started into existence; and now a goodly band of our young sisters of low degree form a happy little group of willing and delighted learners. My cherished school-rooms are like fair and beautiful gardens in which to labour on in my happy work-bright and sparkling stars to gild my appointed path. Some of my happiest hours have been and still are passed within their walls. Youthful smiles never fail to welcome me; and the sweet refreshing waters of youthful love never fail to gush forth, leaping with joy and gladness from the full fountain of the youthful heart. No persons feel affection more tenderly than the young.

« AnteriorContinuar »