A child can comprehend that the petals of a flower are its leaves, and
that the cuticle is the outer membrane of the first skin.
The opinion that a knowledge of the mind, its laws and functions,
should, and must of necessity, be confined to the Stoic, the Philosopher,
and the Sage, has prevailed too long in society. The mind of man is but
a development of the elements of his nature, and these elements can be
understood by children.
Said a reverend gentlemen when speaking of little children,-" Here
is the replenishing of the world, here is a new wave of existence. From
these little children will be selected our future rulers and judges of the
next half century." Another talented and eloquent writer also said-
"What a magazine of energies is a little child. How many journeys
across continents, if need be, on errands of mercy, may be snugly packed
away in those little feet. From between that little right thumb and fin.
ger, what volumes may yet flow out-poetry, history, philosophy, ethics,
etc.!"
Parents and teachers, the minds of children are placed in your hands to
mould and direct! They have, as all must allow, natural tendencies of
mind, natural propensities, natural predispositions; yet they are not
"fated" to act only as these dictate; but they can be so trained, cultivated,
or restrained, that their influence is often greatly modified or entirely
counterbalanced. Will you train them for usefulness and happiness; or
will you suffer the tares of ignorance and vice to grow and expand in
their little minds, till they eventually root out all the good? It is for you
to say. The responsibility rests on you. Do not, therefore, for the love
you bear your little ones-"those links between angels and men"-neg-
lect your duty to them.
• That these volumes may serve, in some degree, as a pilot to enable
children to avoid the shoals and quicksands of life, is the sincere wish
of their friend,