The Influence of the Home
By Editor
THE following utterance from the New York Tribune is well worthy of being considered, not only by parents, but by those politicians who hope to teach Christianity in the schools:— “It may be that the public schools could do something to remedy this evil [lack of manners and respect], but the parents could do much more; and, until they do their duty in the matter, the efforts of teachers will be of little avail. The fact of the matter is that parents obey their children altogether too much in this country. They do not look for respectful obedience from their children, and, of course, they do not get it. Nor does anybody else get it either. In view of all this, the need of teaching good manners to our children is very apparent. But even more urgent, perhaps, is the need of teaching good manners to their parents.” The influence of the home is greater than that of all other influences put together. The home and the church are the places to teach religion, morals, and manners. The public schools are founded for a different purpose.