10 INTRODUCTION.
•
tian ministry, self-sacrificing and enthusiastic in efforts
for the salvation of the world, the author's character
is worthy of imitation, and his book merits careful
study. The subject discussed is one of transcendent
importance, and the ability and thoroughness with
which the discussion is conducted will command the
respect of intelligent people, and secure the happiest
results. It will shed light upon all questions pertain¬
ing to the happiness of home, the efficiency of the
school, and the permanence of the republic.
The most valuable instrumentality in the education
of our children is their early training at home by
their parents, and this must be commenced as soon
as they enter this world, and contiuued until child¬
hood is merged in manhood. We must act upon the
great truth which led one of the master painters of
Italy to begin in his art back at the grinding and mix¬
ing of his paints, that no unskillfulness in the prepa¬
ration of the colors should be found on completion
to have marred the beauty, or dimmed the clearness
of works which were to challenge the admiration of
posterity.
God has consecrated the early period of life to the
religious training of the child by the parent, so that
in all time to come holy influence may linger in the
mind and restrain its possessor from folly and crime.
God in wisdom holds hack the development of the
passions in childhood, and thus gives the parent a
chance to pre-empt the child for Christ before the
Devil can place a mortgage on it.
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