The Worth of a Boy

The Worth of a Boy. BY JOHN T. BARRETT. I cannot weigh in the same balance with him the paltry metal of silver and gold; he is far more valuable than the mind can comprehend. He is worth your full confidence. Let him know that you trust him fully, with all that is consigned to him. Let the boy have responsibilities about the place, and know that he is trusted in the work of running the government of home. He will sense it. Speak kindly to him, and I venture to say he will be faithful to his trust. No matter how little it is in the start, let him begin early in life, and then increase his responsibilities year by year. Let him know that he is progressing, as his capacity for managing increases. You will be surprised at his growth, and need have no fears as to his capability of manag- ing a home when grown up, nor fear his neglecting you when sil- ver crowns your brow. You will have a boy who honors his father, for the father honored the son. Remember you do not get too old to "reap as you have sown." Sow confidence, love and mercy, obedience to right government and restraints, among your children, and you will reap like blessings from your field of human souls. The boy is worth your love — the only thing that will ever knit two hearts together, or a community of hearts. If you can- not win by love, the case is hopeless. But I know love will win, for it is the only true way. You can't force the child; there is a grand instinct there that will not be forced. Compel him while young, and when he grows up he will tread your aching, bleeding heart underneath his feet. If you ever think to break his spirit with blows or force, you have mis-

judged your material. You cannot make him love you by force; you must cultivate love, and supply the proper soil in which it thrives. Love is not a soft yielding to all whims and notions, grant- ing the child all it wants. A thousand times no! Love is firm f >r the right, as experience in obedience to law has taught you the right; but very long-suffering toward all; resting securely in the knowledge that all hearts, no matter how hard, must finally, ultimately be touched. Rest assured that a boy who goes out from a home where love reigns, longs, like the doves in the evening, to fly back to his window for rest. Never, while the sun shines or the seasons come and go, tell the boy that your door is closed to him, but far rather say, "Remember, my son, you go out with your parents' love and their name. To whatever depths you sink, you take two others with you. What stain is traced to you, or is upon you, is upon us. When you are tempted to go wrong, before yielding, remem- ber that you take with you two other bleeding hearts. If you are dishonored, we are. But remember, when entirely satisfied with sin, wherever in life you are; when dreary and lonely; when as low as you care to go; when all forsake you and turn a cold counte- nance upon you ; when you are left cold, naked, bleeding and for- saken by all your pretended friends, remember this solemn prom- ise of two hearts that love you: This resting place is for you, our flesh and blood and bone. Here you will find sunshine from all the shadows, a love to start you anew, and willing hands and hearts who will yet trust you." Ah, have no fears for a boy who leaves a loving home! All has been done; we can rest assured at any rate, to win his heart to you and right. Time will bring him back, as sure as time is bring- ing the world back to honor and love Him whom they once hated and despised, but who loved them. Love, given time to work, will surely win; there is no doubt — no other way. It is a rare case, if ever, when he needs a blow; for when he gets one, it is when the man is red-faced with anger, saying, "What did you do that for? You knew better than that!" "What is the matter, father?"