A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1928, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

THINK ABOUT IT, FATHfcH I 1 yr W Many of the advantages which parents plan to give their children nro m, reality disadvantages. For proof of this, have a talk with some of the young peopleo . who have had “the best education that money can buy.” Their education “is finished,” we are told. Certainly they are finished, but they are not educated. Education is one of the things which money cannot buy. Money can merely open the doors; the rest, depends upon what the child takes through the door in addition to clothes, books, and pocket-money. That constitutes his real chance. Much depends upon a parent’s idea of a chance. ManyVa parent’s “chance of success ” is a sure passport to failure. Many a child would have a better chance if there Were no mother or (father to see that it/ got the wrong kind of chance. Don’t you think, father, that Tom might have been more the sort of fellow you’ve always pictured your son would be if you had not forgotten how you became strong, and if you had not, in giving him a chance, robbed him of his birthright—the chance to struggle up from the bottom rung and become strong through struggling, overcoming, 'and serving as you did? No boy can start where you left off and become as good a man as you are. And iif you expect him to do that, there’s a. lesson waiting for you, sir ! You only became what you are because you started where you did, and all your money will not buy education for your boy or your girl. Every youth has to get it for himself. You cannot get it for him, alid he cannot get it for himself, unless you have protected his character from the enervatinjg effects of the prosperity - which he did not help to make. Your, prosperity will not hurt you—you made ; it. Enjoy it I But it may hurt your boy if he learns to enjoy too well .the j things he did not earn—that is, if you do not see to it that he understands j that all the good things of life have a price. 1 Nine out of ten rich men were poor boys, but the proportion of poor men who were the sons of rich men is quite, as high. Here’s a lesson; Think about it, „ father ! J ;;r —M. PRESTON STANLEY. ]