Pg. 305

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 305] THE SPOILED CHILD. 17

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 not convenient.’ It was one of that learned and truly godly man, President Edward’s recorded rules of life, ‘never to say a thing on the Lord’s day which would excite mirth or a laugh.’ This should be strictly observed by every Christian parent and master of a family. We may be perfectly cheerful without mirth and laughter. Let every thing be in its proper place, and always seasonable.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 2 “There is another defect in the manner, which I cannot, omit; the want of a due equanimity of temper. This is usually betrayed by impatience and irritation. It is of essential  importance not only to be on our guard against these; but to have the mind cured of them, as an exceeding great evil. A parent should never use the rod until he is convinced, on cool recollection, that it is his imperative duty to have recourse to it: he should never correct a child until he has convinced him of his error and crime: he should never correct a child in a passion; to do so is to indulge a spirit of revenge; not to exercise salutary parental discipline. His whole manner should indicate to the child that he administers the correction with the Utmost reluctance, and from a painful sense of duty. An estimable friend of mine had an untoward son: he had committed a crime against the laws of the household: he took him into the family circle, spent some time in explaining to him the nature and the evil of that crime, and laying the rod down, he said, ‘It is my duty, my child, to correct you; but I will do it in the fear of God. Let us first pray.’ The whole family circle threw themselves on their knees, while he poured out, with deep emotions, and many tears, a prayer for his stubborn and rebellious child: the culprit alone remained standing: but the prayer and tears of his father melted his refractory heart, and he kneeled down also. The correction was administered with evident distress; but it was light, for the child bowed instantly in submission and penitential confessions. And to my knowledge it was the last he ever needed. He is still alive; and a more dutiful and excellent son you will not readily find.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 “There is another defect which is originated by a parent’s constitutional indolence and aversion to the trouble and pain of discipline. This dangerous failing has made many a parent criminally yield to his own ease or natural feelings.