that he can with
you begin over and remove some of his past mistakes? Have you talked
thus to your boy? If not, why not? It is your privilege as well as your
duty.

CHAPTER XXVI.

PARENTAL DUTY.

The first duty of father and mother to their child is to see that they
are a unit on family government. Second, they must study themselves and
their failures, trying to make the weak places strong. Third, study the
disposition of the child, gain an understanding of its inner life, and
find out what pleases and displeases it; and, while cultivating the
good, hold in check the bad. A mother should understand her children
better than any one else. If she is a thoughtful mother, she knows not
only the surroundings of her children, but many of the impressions that
she has stamped upon their undeveloped minds.

Children are not putty that can be moulded into any form to suit our
fancy, but there is a method by which we can fashion their young lives.
Much patience, devotion to the child, and fervent prayer will be
needful to accomplish anything worth while.

Every parent should see that their attitude toward their children is
what it should be. Consider their feelings and show them respect,
remembering that they have rights upon which you must not intrude; but
never loosen the reigns of home government. Make any rules that you
think practicable and necessary; explain each rule carefully to your
child, giving your reason for making it, and then demand obedience.
Never, unless for some special reason, ignore any good rule. Should your
child happen to break one of these rules, do not punish without first
finding out the cause. He may not have understood your meaning, or he
may have forgotten. Take him quietly aside; and, after finding out why
he has disobeyed, gently tell him again your reasons for making the
rules and the necessity of his obedience. You might have to do this
several times, but do not excuse him too long. When it is necessary to
punish, ask for wisdom from above, and then punish in a way that he will
understand you and remember the punishment. When you make a statement,
stand by it, if possible, unless you see error in it. If such be the
case, confess your fault. If your child does not show you due respect
and obedience, there is a cause for it, and it is your duty to find out
what that cause is.

All children have to contend with bad qualities that have been
inherited. Do not flatter yourself that becaus