Last Week The Record had a letter from a subscriber at Haw River. Most of you folks read it; those who did not read it missed getting the inspiration that it should convey.
The writer of that letter mentioned the fact that he had 10 living children, girls and boys that had proved themselves a benefaction to him in his declining years instead of an annoyance. This is indeed a great blessing and one that few people enjoy. It is said “that there is always a black sheep in every flock,” and for this good man to come down to his last days with the satisfaction that each and every one of his offspring is a blessing to him is one that would make the heart of any man or woman satiated with joy in their declining years.
The devotion exemplified in this particular case by those children is one of splendid example and distinguished honored sons and daughters to a worthy sire from the less noble and true in the community in which they live, or that may people in any community.
It is not infrequent that sons and daughters become a source of heartaches and greatly influence the shortening of the days of the parent who has made many sacrifices in life for their welfare and their benefit. The editor has in mind a man who has endured many misfortunes within the past 14 years. He is a poor man, but he has a splendid daughter and trustworthy sons. He has not only made sacrifices for those children to bring them to maturity as honest, upright Christians, but he has deprived himself of actual necessities of life, suffered may hardships and endured privations that they will never realize. It would be worse than a tragedy for them to dishonor him in his declining years.
Boys and girls this day and time do not fully appreciate the sacrifices made for them, more especially by the parents, and they fail in many cases to come up to a standard of living that is expected and prayed for by the gray heads that suffered the privations for them.
It is true that the parents of the present day are not so exacting and particular with their children as was Mr. Farrell and those who reared a family in his generation. The children are given a wider latitude, a broader standard of morals and an entirely different mode of living than they were in the old days, and chivalry as well as modesty is one of the ancient customs that is bothersome.
No young woman can command the same pure thoughts of a young man, improperly clothed as she would, should she assume a decorous and modest presentment, and a young man will never be as attentive and courteous to sone who is less self-respecting as were the women in the past generations. There are many causes assigned for the present fast manner of living, a selfish disposition and a desire to be the most popular. Everyone has his own individual ideas as the crowing shame that cover many young people, but there are many causes.
This paper highly appreciates all effort to influence the mothers and fathers to a more strict manner of rearing their children, it has great confidence in the truths that are presented from the pulpits, platforms, the tents and public places by the elect of God and we long for the old days of purity of thought, the example of truthful, honest living and a clean life that will honor God and be a benefaction to the old mother and father in their last days.
We felicitate Mr. Farrell and all others who have a large family of dutiful, honorable children. May their tribe increase.
From the editorial page of The Chatham Record, Colin G. Shaw, owner and editor; Chas. A. Brown, associate editor, Thursday, Aug. 30, 1923
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