[MAN’S SOCIAL EXCELLENCE SEEN IN HIS ESTIMATE OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER.]
And in scarcely any thing is this social character, which is developed in these elements of domestic life, more distinctly seen, and more admired, than in the estimate which the man places upon the female character and female society. The youth who has rightly improved by this domestic training, and in whom the social character is properly developed, is the champion of female virtue. The female character, in its spotless purity, is that which he admires, and loves, and venerates. He sees a mother and a sister in every respectable female; and to him the appeal of female innocence for protection is never made in vain. He is the knight in his chivalry, and is ready even to interpose his life between wronged innocence and the wretch that would lay his demon grasp upon spotless female virtue. And this veneration for what is virtuous and amiable in the female character is almost always a sure index to the character of the man that entertains it. He is one of pure and exalted mind, and may be trusted in every department of life. He has a high sense of honor, and his integrity is not to be easily shaken. Of the intrigues of the immoral and the vicious he knows nothing, and he entertains no feeling towards such want of character but disgust. The nobleness of his nature is seen in his abhorrence of the guilty, while the pure are safe under his care. Such a man is the son, the brother, and the friend, that does honor to his family, and to the circle of society in which he moves. And if you would possess such character in manhood, cultivate it now. Let the model appear before you at all times, and on all occasions, and let its impress be indelibly made upon your mind and heart.
[THE AMERICAN DOMESTIC ALTAR.]
And now, after these remarks upon the formation of the domestic character, need I tell you how it is that the domestic altar has so much to do with the character of the man? Need I tell you that it is a thing to be deplored that the youth of Greece and Rome had not more of the benefits of this altar? And need I point you to the high privileges and holy influences of that altar, to show you how much the advantage you have over those noble youths of other days whose character has so much in it for you to admire? And you who have fathers, and mothers, and brothers, and sisters, and friends, well should you know how to appreciate what I say in relation to the difference between them and yourselves, and ardently should you desire to reap advantage from the knowledge you possess of your position. Treasure, then, as a sacred gift from Heaven, the blessings which this domestic altar affords you. And let your characters be formed in the cultivation and manly exercise of the principles it imparts. Remember that the principles you cultivate, and the character you form in youth, will be likely to be your principles and character for life. And as you would be respected and valued as members of society hereafter; as you would be useful and honored among men, use all your powers to obtain right principles, and to develope those principles into such character, as Americans, you may be proud of.
[INFLUENCE OF THE DOMESTIC ALTAR IN THE DEVELOPEMENT OF THE PATRIOTIC CHARACTER.]
And not only to the developement of the social qualities, is the young American indebted to the domestic altar, but he is also indebted to that altar, in a considerable degree, for the developement of his character as a patriot and a Christian. He learns patriotism and religion at the hearthstone. The fire of a country’s love is enkindled in the young heart, and the lisping infant pronounces the name of God with awe. The story of the statesman’s progress to renown falls upon the ears of the child, and in his youth he feels the first impulse of the desire to play the orator before the multitude, and by his eloquence the “listening senate to command.” The deeds of glory that pave the conqueror’s path, are told him, and the pulse of ambition begins to beat while yet the tales of the nursery are ringing in his ears. He hears of battles, and he longs to follow to the field some warlike leader. It is direction rather than encouragement that is needed in the developement of this patriotic character. If there is any thing innate in the human bosom, it would seem to be this feeling of patriotism. And it is fanned into a flame, it is excited and fevered by the unnumbered incidents of patriotic history that crowd upon the expanding and improving mind, and by the appeals of daily occurrences which tend to warm and animate the heart. It is but proper direction that is needed in the cultivation of this feeling. Every child is a patriot. Every boy is both a statesman and a soldier. And what is required in his teaching, in such matters, is the right sort of training. And badly will his patriotic character be brought forth if he be left to himself in its developement; to make the boy a pure and exalted patriot, true patriotism must be presented to him from the model. And it is to be shown him in its principle, and in its operation. And this, if properly done, will show him what patriotism is in its embrace of his country’s territory and population, and of all that may be included in his country’s honor and prosperity. Less than this will cause him to degenerate into the partizan and develope prejudice for sectional interests and sectional advantage rather than the principle which, in its extended grasp, includes all that can elevate and prosper, and honor the nation. Nothing short of this should be dignified with the name of patriotism. And the youth should keep his eye and his heart firmly and devotedly fixed upon it. He should know that the partizan is not the patriot, and he should be capable of making the distinction. And in the acquirement of the patriotic character he may feel that he is an American, and he may receive enjoyment, in a high degree, from the pleasure such feelings must ever produce. And such an American is the champion of his country, and of his country’s rights and honor. And he is this champion, not only in regard to foreign aggression, but in defiance of sectional prejudice and party feud.
[INFLUENCE OF THE DOMESTIC ALTAR IN THE DEVELOPEMENT OF THE RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.]
And as with the patriotism of the youth, so with his religion. Its first appearance is generally at the home fire-side. And it is there that the first impression of his religious character is made. The Christian mother teaches her child that there is a God for him to worship. And his first and earliest prayers to Him, as the only object of his adoration, are taught from her lips. And religion comes not to the boy, as does his patriotism, seemingly by innate impulse. It has to be taught him, or he never learns it. It is something that comes not by nature, but by the Revelation of God. And coming thus, it has to be communicated to the individual. And the American boy should study, as a most important part of his education, the broad principles of the Christian faith, and the creed of the Christian church. And he should learn to hold his religious views in respect to God and to his church, and not in any wise in respect to the opinions of men. And how important is the place of the parent and the teacher in its view of this duty? The infidel is utterly unqualified for the employment. An infidel mother is unfit for the training of an American boy. If she neglect to teach him love to his God, she will hardly be able to teach him how to exhibit his love to his country. And, as I have before remarked, the character of the American is incomplete, it is unfinished without religion. And the religion which perfects the American character, is love to the Almighty Object of its worship, which is recognised in all the American institutions; and love to mankind, which is so necessary for the well being of the state. Alas! that the training of an American child should ever be placed in the hands of an unbeliever! It is his principle, as a Christian, that renders the man a truly social being, and a pure patriot, and the true American must of necessity be a Christian.