THE CHILD AT HOME; OR
THE PRINCIPLES OF FILIAL DUTY
FAMILIARLY ILLUSTRATED.
BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT,
Author Of “The Mother At Home.”
Published By The American Tract Society
150 Nassau-Street New-York.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1833
In this 7 chapter work, Abbott (Congregationalist) looks at responsibility, deception, obedience, religious truth, piety, and traits of character.
PREFACE.
This book is intended for the children of those families to which The Mother at Home has gone. It is prepared with the hope that it may exert an influence upon the minds of the children, in exciting gratitude for their parents’ love, and in forming characters which shall ensure future usefulness and happiness.
The book is intended, not for entertainment, but for solid instruction. I have endeavored, however, to present instruction in an attractive form, but with what success, the result alone can tell. The object of the book will not be accomplished by a careless perusal. It should be read by the child, in the presence of the parent, that the parent may seize upon the incidents and remarks introduced, and thus deepen the impression.
Though the book is particularly intended for children, or rather for young persons, it is hoped that it will aid parents in their efforts for moral and religious instruction.
It goes from the author with the most earnest prayer, that it may save some parents from blighted hopes, and that it may allure many children to gratitude, and obedience, and heaven.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT
Worcester December, 1833.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter I. RESPONSIBILITY.
The Police Court. The widow and her daughter. Effect of a child’s conduct upon the happiness of its parents. The young sailor. The condemned pirate visited by his parents. Consequences of disobedience. A mother’s grave. The sick child. . .7
Chapter II. DECEPTION.
George Washington and his hatchet.—Consequences of deception. Temptations to deceive. Story of the child sent on an errand. Detection. Anecdote. The dying child. Peace of a dying hour disturbed by falsehood previously uttered. Various ways of deceiving. Thoughts on death. Disclosures of the judgment day. . .28
Chapter III. OBEDIENCE.
Firmness requisite in doing duty. The irresolute boy. The girl and the green apples. Temptations. Evening party. Important consequences resulting from slight disobedience. The state prison. History of a young convict. Ingratitude of disobedience. The soldier’s widow and her son. Story of Casabianca. Cheerful obedience. Illustration. Parental kindness. . .46
Chapter IV. OBEDIENCE, continued.
The moonlight game. Reasons why good parents will not allow their children to play in the streets in the evening. The evening walk. The terrified girl, Instance of filial affection. Anecdote. Strength of a mother’s love. The child’s entire dependence. A child rescued from danger. Child lost in the prairie.. .71
Chapter V. RELIGIOUS TRUTH.
Human character. The Northern Voyagers. Imaginary scene in a court of justice. Love of God. Scene from Shakspeare. Efforts to save us. The protection of angels. The evening party. The dissolute son. A child lost in the woods. The sufferings of the Savior. The Holy Spirit. . .94
Chapter VI. PIETY.
Penitence. Charles Bullard. His good character in school. In college. The pious boy. The orchard. The fishing-rod. The forgiving spirit. How children may do good. The English clergyman and the child who gave himself to the Savior. The happy sick boy. The Christian child in heaven. Uncertainty of life. The loaded gun. The boy in the stage-coach. . .119
Chapter VII. TRAITS OF CHARACTER.
We cannot be happy without friends. Why scholars are unpopular in school. The way to gain friends. The warm fire. Playing ball. Recipe for children who would be loved. A bad temper. Amiable disposition to be cultivated. The angry man. Humility. The vain young lady. Vanity always ridiculous. The affected school girl. The unaffected schoolgirl. Story of the proud girl. Moral courage. The duellist. The three school-boys. George persuaded to throw the snow-ball. What would have been real moral courage. The boy leaving home, His mother’s provisions for his comfort. The parting. His father’s counsel. His reflections in the stage-coach. He consecrates himself to his Maker. . .347