you should let the weeds grow all around the tender plant, do you not think it would be choked or killed by them? Precisely the same is true in reference to children. 21. Their conscience is like a sheet of white paper; every time the child disregards its voice, it is like a spot. of ink dropped on the paper. This spot can never be entirely removed; the paper will never be so clear and white again as it was at first. So, if we do wrong once, we may feel very badly; the second time, it is easier for us to refuse to listen to the monitions of conscience; till, finally, a person can take the life of another, and scarcely feel any sorrow or guilt at the time, though most of all our abandoned criminals have moments when they think of the days of their innocence and purity, and would be willing to give worlds, if they had them, if it were possible that the remembrance of their guilt could be blotted out from their memories. They feel the keen pangs of remorse, and weep in bitterness of spirit. 22. Those who commit murders, and do other wicked deeds, were once pure, playful, and happy children. They were fondled and caressed as much by a fond mother, and were nestled as closely to her bosom of love, and felt as badly as any of you at the first sin they committed. 23. Indians are frequently very conscientious. The following fact shows that they recognize this element 21. What resemblance is there between the conscience of a child and a sheet of white paper? What is said of the first and second sin? Do abandoned criminals ever feel the stings of conscience? What does it lead them to think? 22. What were hardened sinners when children? 23. Have Indians a conscience? INDIAN'S CONSCIENCE. 95 of mind. An Indian, being among his white neighbors, asked for a little tobacco to smoke, and one of them, having some loose in his pocket, gave him a handful. The day following, the Indian came back inquiring for the donor, saying, "That he had found a quarter of a dollar among the tobacco." 24. Being told "That as it had been given to him, he might as well keep it," he answered, pointing to his breast, "I got a good man and a bad man here; the good man say, 'It is not mine, I must return it to the owner;' the bad man say, 'Why, he gave it to you, and it is your own now;' the good man say, 'That's not right; the tobacco is yours, not the money;' the bad man say, 'Never mind, you got it, go buy some dram ;' the good man say, 'No, no, you must not do so;' so I don't know what to do. I think to go to sleep, but the good man and the bad man keep talking all night, and trouble me; and now I bring the money back I feel good." In this case the Indian called the monitions of his conscience the good or bad man, and could not be easy or quiet under its reproaches. 25. Remember, then, children, to take care of that conscience of yours while you are young; when you have done wrong, be willing to confess it, and endeavor to do wrong no more. I know that there are some who have large Conscience, but whose Firmness is weak, who are easily influenced by bad and wicked companions, and are led astray by them; to such I would say, if you cannot say "No," when a friend asks you to 23, 24. Relate the anecdote of the Indian? What did the Indian call his conscience? 25. What should children endeavor to do? What is Baid of those who have largo Conscience, but small Firmness? What direction is given to such persons? do something which your conscience tells you is wrong, then avoid the company of that friend. This is the only way to become virtuous, truthful, and conscientious; and I hope you all have the desire to improve your minds and dispositions. Remember, children, you are now laying the foundation for your future characters. What you wish to be when men and women, endeavor to be while children. 26. Conscientiousness is represented in the cut by a female with a pair of scales, as if administering justice. She has a bandage around her eyes, that she may not be biassed in her decisions, but adhere strictly to the truth. DEFINITION-Anticipations of success; sense of the future. LOCATION-The organ of Hope is located in front of Conscientiousness, each side of the back part of the head. 1. WE have learned that we have an element of mind to lead us to reflect on our actions, and to cause 25. What should children remember? 26. How is Conscientiousness represented in the cut? What is the definition of Hope? What is its 1. What important thing have we just learned? location? us uneasiness and unhappiness when we have done wrong, as well as joy and peace when we have done right. 2. We might, if this organ were too excessive, be discouraged at times, and feel that all our efforts were useless, and that we could never do as we ought; but, close by its side lies another part of the brain, which disposes us to be cheerful, to look ahead, to forget the present, and to anticipate the future. 3. Children are generally very happy, light, and merry-hearted. One reason is, that they have no cares to trouble them, and very few sorrows to throw a gloom over their little spirits; another is, that their thoughts are always, as it were, on the tip-toe; they are thinking about a time to come, when the years will roll by, and manhood and womanhood shall be theirs. Then they will have, as they imagine, perfect enjoy ment. 4. There is scarcely any one who does not anticipate, think, and say, what he will do in after years. Said a little boy, "When I am a man, I intend to be a doctor, and I will have on my sign-board such and such letters," mentioning the initials of his own name; and thus his imagination was filled with drugs and medicines, and his hope was fed by the anticipation. 5. "To-morrow, I will do so and so," said the little girl. "To-morrow, I will see my dear parents." 2. What is the influence of excessive Hope? What is the function of the organ next to Hope? 3. What is a peculiarity of children? What are the two reasons for this? What do they imagine is in store for them? 4. Do all have these feelings? What anticipations did the little boy cherish? 5. What remarks are frequently made by those who have large anticipations? "To-morrow, I will go to school." 6. Time flies, and the to-morrow comes, and then another to-morrow is anticipated. Years pass, and the little boy is a man; he now lays deeper plans and schemes, and says, "In a few years I shall be wealthy, 1 or intellectual, and shall be able to rest from my labors." Disappointments come, but he still thinks there is “a good time coming," a bright day ahead, and he tries again. 7. Some men have this organ so large, that they speculate, or lay out a great deal of money in purchasing lands, thinking that their value will increase; but they frequently lose, because they cannot sell the land for as much money as they have paid for it. 8. Some buy large quantities of flour, wheat, and other articles of commerce, when there is but little in the market, thinking that if it is scarce, the value will increase; but they are very often obliged to sell it for less than they paid for it. 9. Very large Hope leads a person to make large promises. The future appears to him a dream of bliss ; he thinks that success will certainly attend him, so he frequently meets with disappointments. 10. It is Hope that sustains and inspires the mariner, when he ventures on the stormy ocean. He leaves the endearments of home, and embarks for a long journey, 6. What follows one to-morrow? What difference is there in the hopes of the boy and the man? How do disappointments affect him? 7. To what does this organ lead when very large? 7, 8. What illustrations are given? 9. What is another exhibition of large Hope? 10. What does Hope enable the mariner to do? |