The Rod in Training Children. BY FANNY FIRESIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2048, 22 August 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Rod in Training Children. BY FANNY FIRESIDE.

Srutixa the rod spoite the eh.ld. Thi* comes from too good authority for us to dare question it. Since it was uttered by the wise man, thousands of instances have proved its correctness. Lut the brief statement contained iv this one short sentence win never intended to cover the wholo subject of training children. It does not moan that the rod is the only thing needed by parents in the work of securing discipline in the household. It does not mean that the sparing of this punishment is the only thing that spoils the child. Nor doos it mean that the more the rod is applied, the better will the child become— in other words, that the goodness of the future man or woman is to be measured by the length of the rod, and the frcquenoy of its application to the boy or girl. It doesn't mean any of these, even though tho actions of some parents might lead us to think it meant them all. When the child has done wrong, and the parent clearly sees chat it should be corrected, it becomes his duty to administer some kind of punishment ; and the continual shirking of such duties would be very likely to spoil the child. But too ranch punishment, improperly and irregularly applied, may be equally as injurious. It might be well to remind some parents that the rod is not a food upon whioh a child will thrive and fatten in goodness. It is more properly a medicine of the bitter and disagreeable kind. And how often do physicians caution us against the too frequent and prolonged use of any kind of medical drug. In too large doses it becomes a poison. In prolonging its use the system becomes habituated to it, and it ceaeea to do good. Just so with the rod. Too large doses do only harm. When too frequently applied, tho child's feeling becomes blunted, and it loses its power to do good. Of course, we regard the term " rod " as meaning any kind of punishment. Sometimes it is the mother's tongue, and many a child well knows what the word scold means. I know a mother who uses this rod vigorously on the slightest provocation. She has used it so much that its sting is gone, and her children care little or nothing for it. It means to them now but little more than co much noise. I know another quiet little woman from whom a look and a word of reproof in her uanal mild tones ie &11 that is needed, ordinarily, in governing her little ones. She never scolds. Tho rod she neea seems to be ona of love, and it goes directly to the heart. It touches and works on the best feelings, without stirring up the the worst ones, it encourages the good within the child, without arousing the evil, and thus it accomplishes its mission. Whatever the form of punishment used, it should be administered in love, not in anger. No one digs the weeds from bis garden when the sky is dark with clouds overhead. To do so might check their growth, but they would spring up again more numerous than before. It is not the hoe, but the warm sunshine after it, that kills tho weeds. And the principle involved is much the same when our work to nproot the evil thoughts and habito forming in tho hearts of our children. The fond mother may not find it a pleasant task to watch for evil in the hearts of those innocent ones arou-nd her. We do not like to look at the faults of our own children; hence thore ie is a tendency for us to shut our eyes and become blind to them. But duty demands that we be on the lookout for the first appoaranoe of evil that we may check it in ittj early growth. The child may develop traits of self-will, atubbornesa, defiance and disobedience. To oheck the growth of these, it is usually necessary to resort to some kind of punishment. But when done in the proper time and manner it will not often need repeating. Idle threats are worse than useless. All promises should be kept faithfully and punctually. Kindness and firmness should go hand in hand — also wisdom and love. No one entering upon the work of training children should expect to find it an easy task. It is a position of responsibility and oare. Careful, earnest thought and untiring patience aro needed every day and yet tho work is one of love, and is entered upon willingly and joyously by every mother worthy of the task imposed upon her. Truly, there ia no loftier mission on earth than hers.