IMPLICIT OBEDIENCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 233, 25 June 1908, Page 3

IMPLICIT OBEDIENCE.

Some parents believe in never, saying "Don't" to their children. They say instead, "I know such a dear little boy (or girl as the caso may be)'' who always did what he was asked," or "who never made' a noise," and so on.. But by and by .this loses its - effect and the child serenely goes on doing what he was not wanted to do. To my mind (says an American writer) there are occasions wheii' it' 'is right and-'proper for a child to obey his parents implicitly; at any rate, until he is old enough for his own judgment to confirm that of his parents. Then, by all moans, put the "pros" and "cons" clearly before him, if some question arises where his own and his parents'-opinion differ,' but make him abide by the consequences of his own decision. A young child cannot judge for himself. He does not know what is good for him; and, until •ho does know, it is far better that ho should be told what to do, and should do it.

Besides, obedionco has to be a life-habit with evoryono, no matter what position thoy may occupy; ,-Each of ,us must abide by tho laws of society, the laws of health, and the laws of God, or we must suffer the consequences. Then isn't it bettor to .'train a child to obedience while he is young, instead of leaving him unprepared and his will'unchecked, so that ho has to learn the universal lesson in the hardest way—through Life's knocks and bruises?

But wo shall, induce this ■ necessary habit of obedience by constant "nagging" and prohibition, any more than we shall by •leaving tho child to go 'his owp way unchecked, so that he does not-know the meanr ing of self-control. And though a little child may enjoy having his own way, and suffering no check or rebuke, .without >doubt there conies a-time when lie feels anything but grateful to those who allowed him to grow up undisciplined. He finds it all the harder to "knuckle under" when he first goes to school; but oven tho discipline there does not always complete his truo education. „ "When, he has to turn out into tho w6rld;.and earn • his own living, it take 3 him-some'. considerable "find'his level.". , • • One of tho earliest . lessons he .must learn is obedienco;, and this'.-is' .just ihe -one'"in which 110 is most: backward. ' He: liasVhad no practice in the art of willing-' obedience,", for he has known no; law .but.vhis. own' whims..', ! '• ''

And.- in "the course,; of; time ho begins to understand where the mistake-lay in his early bringing-up; and he does not thank his parents for having always allowed him to "have his own way;" . >, j