A HARD-FACED ANGEL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XVI, 19 October 1895, Page 494

A HARD-FACED ANGEL.

Mr Stanley, in a letter relating to Africa, makes reference to * the deadly persecutions borne by a body of native Christians,' some of whom owed their conversion to the brave and persistent labonrs of the Scotch missionary, Mackay, and adds the suggestive inquiry, • Why is it that Scotchmen usually succeed better in whatever they undertake than other people ?’ He answers his own question by asking another : • Is it not because they have been educated in one thing more than all others —duty? Thus Moffat perseveres here for fifty years ; Livingstone gives up his life, and Mackay plods on until old age, each with an awful fear of breach of duty in turning his back on the work. The most careless observer of young people must notice the great difference between the motives to pursue a certain course of action which are urged upon children and youth by parents and teachers, and those which were brought to bear upon the young people of an earlier generation to influence their conduct. Fifty years ago the first lesson taught to a child was unquestioning obedience to his parents, bis teacher and his God. He must study, tell the truth, conduct himself like a gentleman, not because he himself was convinced that it was best so to do, but because such a course was according to the divine commandment. Now the child is usually persuaded, urged, stimulated to take the right course, bnt is seldom commanded. Indeed, one well-known educator insists that after the age of six years the child ought never to hear from his father or mother the words, *Do this,’ or *Do not do that.’ He should be reasoned with and mildly advised, and then left to act for himself. The use of the rod, once so common, has certainly been greatly diminished, and many people think that it should be discontinuedal together. No doubt there has been again in one direction by these changes. Butin another direction there has been a loss. Under the new system a boy or girl does not so thoroughly acquire the spirit of obedience, without which there cannot be a good soldier, a good citizen, or a good Christian. * Duty,’ says Dean Burwell, * is a hardfaced angel. But she leads us through the gates of death into the heavenly city.’