r views and
sentiments.

We think, therefore, that the children's patrimony should be more than gold
and silver. This may pamper the body, but will afford no food for the mind
and spirit. We do not mean by these remarks, that their patrimony should
not include wealth. On the other hand, we believe that parents should make
pecuniary provision for them, that they may not begin life totally
destitute. But we mean, that when this is the only patrimony they receive,
it often proves a curse, because it tends to destroy their sympathy with
higher interests, exposes them to the uncertainties of wealth, and makes
them dependent upon that alone. If it should elude their grasp, all is
gone, and they become poor and helpless indeed.

What, therefore, besides wealth, should be the children's patrimony from
the Christian home? We briefly answer.

1. A good character. This is more valuable than wealth; for a good name is
rather to be chosen than great riches. This character should be physical,
intellectual, and moral. Give your children the boon of good health by a
proper training to exercise and industry. Transmit to them the patrimony of
good physical habits by educating their bodies, and developing their
material existence according to the principles of natural law. Develop
their intellectual faculties, and enrich them with, the treasures of
knowledge. Give character to their minds as well as to their bodies; and
they will be blessed with an intellectual dowry which cannot be taken from
them, and which will bring them an adequate recompense. Give to your
children the patrimony of good and just principles. Train the heart to good
morals; fill it with the treasures of virtue, of truth, of justice and of
honor. Give it moral stamina. Educate the moral sense of your children.
Direct the unfolding powers of their conscience; in a word, develop their
moral faculties, and supply them with appropriate nutriment; mould their
will; cultivate their emotions; rule their desires and passions; and thus
unfold their moral nature according to the rules of God's revealed law.

Such a character, involving a true and vigorous evolution of body, mind and
spirit, is an effectual safeguard against the evils of prodigality, the
disgrace of penuriousness, and the woes of vice and crime. Their property
may burn down, and they may he robbed of their gold; but neither the flame
nor the robber can deprive them of their character; their intellectual and
mor