re, but nourish them fully in the instruction and admonition of the
Lord."

2. The Expression of the Feelings.

Every normal feeling tends irresistibly to express itself in action
unless it is held in leash. The story of the poor family needs the
addition of no impassioned appeal; the child is already wondering
whether he can empty his bank for their help. If expression is denied to
the feeling, it tends to die out, and continual repression means a
lessening either in power to act or power to feel. "Sentimentalists"
have lost power to act except in tears or ejaculations when their
emotions are stirred, and "hardened" people have lost the power to feel
under ordinary stimulation. Therefore nothing is more fatal to vigorous
development of the feelings of the child than to allow them to be
dissipated without expression in the action they naturally suggest.

But nurture will see that little hands are allowed to hinder by
"helping" to make the beds, or dust the room or carry the package, not
simply that love may grow stronger, but that in after years there may
be the desire to lift the burdens in reality from wearied shoulders, for
the higher feelings of life develop from the instinctive feelings, if
they have proper expression in the beginning. Love that is almost barter
in early years, since it is bestowed for value received, if given
constant expression in acts of helpfulness, will become the self-denying
love of later years. Love for self, which is so strong in a child, can
be developed toward its manifestation of self respect, by using it at
first in childhood, "to help this good body grow both strong and tall."
Childish hate may be directed against wrong things, in preparation for
indignation against sin of future years. It must not be forgotten,
however, that in God's economy every feeling, if properly used, has its
work to do in character building in every stage of its development, so
that even the foundation stones may be laid in beauty and strength.

THE WILL

The power of the soul to make deliberate choice of action, and
unwaveringly to execute it, is undeveloped in this period of Early
Childhood. The child does not balance reasons or desires. Instead, he
acts impetuously and unthinkingly, as the feeling of the passing moment
impels him. Often one desire so completely absorbs his mind as to
obscure everything else, and he will make any effort to gain his end.
His case is like that of a man who "sets his hea