into the hands of the
other parent, and for peace sake.

The above is a fruitful cause of bad management. In truth no one is
prepared to govern others unless he governs himself. A fretful spirit
and an impatient manner can do but little else than awaken opposition in
the breast of the child. Such a course can never secure confidence and
love. Every parent is here exposed to err. We are never prepared to
administer discipline without possessing the spirit of Christ. It would
probably be a good rule to adopt never to correct a child until we have
been upon our knees before God in prayer. It would be a great preventive
to a spirit of impatience.

3. _A want of decision._--One reason why some find so much difficulty in
the management of their families, is owing to the manner in which they
address their children. They never speak with any degree of decision.
The child judges it doubtful whether the parent means what he requires.
He therefore hesitates and hesitates before he obeys. He foresees this
habit, and hence he neglects obedience altogether. For the want of
decision, he is under the necessity of repeating his commands again and
again. What a wretched practice! No one should think he governs his
children without they obey him _at once_. He should never expect to
repeat his commands, and he should speak in such a manner as to lead the
child to infer the parent _expected him to obey._ Manner has great
influence. _Expression_ is more than half.

Where submission takes place under such circumstances, it is generally
of the genuine kind. There is no spuriousness about it. And there is not
often any more trouble about discipline after that. The question is
decisively settled. It is not every child that manifests its rebellion
so much all at once. They manifest it little by little, daily, as
opportunity offers, and then they will appear more easily to yield. It
is to be feared, there is but little genuine submission in many such
instances. At least there is but one course for the parent--to keep up
the discipline so long as he manifests the least particle of rebellion.
If he shows rebellion in any particular way, you should not try to avoid
it, but meet it, and effect the work of entire submission.

4. _Correcting with an improper spirit and in an improper manner is
another cause of bad government._--Some never chastise except in a rage,
and then no one is prepared to do it. They must get very much excited
before they un