PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Dill, 6f Chiklrtn.
change or cease. Experience of similar or greater
changes in curselves, or a habit of giving credit to
what our parents, m- tutors, or books teach us, may
control this persuasion: otherwi~
it renders youth
very notraCtable; for they see clearly and truly that
it is imposs"ble they should be happy under the cir­
CUIILc:tanCes propo5P,d to them, in their present state
of mind. After a 5incere but inetfectual endeavour,
by the -=hiId, to attOmodate his inctination to his parent's
pleasure~ he ought Dot to soffer m his parent's
affection, or in his fcrtunes. The parent~ wben he
has reasonable proof of this, should acqui~sce: at all
events, the child is then at liberty to prmide for his
own happiness.
Parents have no right to urge their children upon
marriages to which they are averse; nor ought, in
any shape, ttl resent the children's di~ce to
such commands. This is a difFerent C3SI! from opposing
a match of incli:Jation, because the child's misery
is a much more probable consequence; it being
easier to live without a person tbat we love, than
with one whom we hate. Add to this, that £ompulsion
in marriage necessarily leads to preyarication.~ ;
as the roJucta:lt party promises an affection, which
neither exists, nor is expected to take place; and
parental, like all human authority, ceases at the
point where obedience becomes criminal.
In the abovementioned, and in all contests be.
tween parents and children, it is the paren,~s duty
to represent to the child the cODseqUt'flCes of his
conduct; and it will be found his be~! policy to represent
them with fidelity. It is u~ual for parent~ to
e~ggerate these descriptions beyond probability ~
and by exaggeration to Jose all credit with their
children; thus, in a great measure, defeating their
own end.
Parents ~:-::: forbidden to interfere, where a trust
is reposed !1el'SOnally in the son; and where, conse·
quently, ta1t~ son was expected, and by virtue of that
expectation is obliged, to pursue his own judgment~