MR. king's address. 21 



to these we must leave them ; but what has been done to en- 

 courage the education of the hand ? The heart and the mind 

 should indeed be enlightened, pure and undefiled, but the hand 

 must be busy and skilful. The great secret of happiness con- 

 sists in never suffering the energies to stagnate. Fortunately in 

 the farmer's business there is no want of constant employment 

 — if you can accustom your children to patient and cheerful 

 labor, you have secured for them the means of happiness and 

 independence. In other stations of life thei'e may be unfortu- 

 nates, 



"Stretched on the rack of a too easy chair, 

 "Who by their everlasting yawn confess 

 " The pains and penalties of idleness" — 



feut this mortal sin should never invade a farmer's dwelling. In 

 training your children to a willing industry, do not over-task 

 their strength — let them feel that they can be useful, and that 

 their assistance is valued — There are various employments in 

 the house, the garden and the field that are adapted to their 

 tender years ; never let their labor be such in kind or amount as 

 shall make it disgusting, and if possible make them derive from 

 their labor some compensation in money or relaxation or indul- 

 gence ; never withhold the merited praise or reward. Accus- 

 tom them never to expect another to do for them that which 

 they can as well do for themselves, but to rely upon their own 

 strength, and to trust their own energies. Whatever may be 

 their prospects in life, teach them to depend on their own re- 

 sources. Help them to cultivate an affectionate, accommodating 

 disposition, moderation in iheir expectations and moderation in 

 their pleasures. Teach them to reverence God and to love 

 work — " neither to despise labor, nor husbandry, which the 

 Most High has appointed." " Teach them to bear the yoke 

 in their youth, and to do with all diligence whatever their hands 

 find to do" ; so shall you deserve their assistance in the man- 

 agement of your house and your farms ; so shall you secure for 

 them that competence and happiness of which the mischances 

 of this world cannot deprive them. And when you shall have 



