Calling on the family of a friend
a year since in a distant city, the conversation turned on the
duties and responsibilities of parents. The mother with whom
I was conversing at once kindled with the theme. She seemed
like one whose eyes had but just been opened upon a new world.
As she was lamenting her deficiencies and mistakes as a parent,
she remarked--
"A few evenings since, I learned a lesson on that subject,
which I shall not soon forget. Several ladies of my acquaintance
had come in to spend the evening. The child of one of them had
accompanied her. In the course of the evening, the child, who
was about five years old, became very rude and boisterous, much
to the annoyance of the company, and especially to her mother.
"Sarah!" said the mother, "You must be quiet."
The child soon forgot the reproof, and became as noisy as ever.
The mother spake again, kindly but firmly: "Sarah! If you
do so again, I shall punish you." But Sarah soon forgot
again, and repeated her improper conduct. As the company were
about departing, Sarah's mother stepped into a neighbor's house,
intending to return for her child. During her absence, the preparations
made by the ladies for their departure reminded Sarah of home.
And this recalled the mother's promise. The recollection turned
her rudeness and thoughtlessness to sorrow, and she was presently
seen in tears.
One of the ladies endeavored to pacify her, on learning what
had occasioned her grief, she said, "Never mind, I'll ask
your mother not to punish you."
"Oh!" said Sarah, "She will; I know she will.
My mother never tells lies."
"I saw in an instant," said my friend, "how
guilty I had been in the education of my children. Often I've
told them some little thing, either in the way of promise or
threatening and forgot it perhaps the next minute. But my children
did not forget; and thus I have been teaching them that their
own mother was a liar. I don't wonder that my children are
so unmanageable. I trust I shall be very careful hereafter as
to what I promise; and when I do promise, as careful to perform;
that my children too may be able to say, "My mother
never tells lies."
This lesson has never been forgotten by...
A PARENT
