ANOTHER PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN.
By Rebecca R. Stoner
A PROMISE made to a child should be regarded as sacred. The habit of making promises to children when one does not intend to fulfill those promises is sinful, and has resulted in much harm. I will relate an incident: A little boy, whom we shall call Fred, was in the habit of running to the bell-man at a students’ home each time the bell was rung, to inquire the time of day. The young man always answered kindly; but one day, growing tired of such constant questioning, he told the little fellow that he was going to buy him a watch. Fred ran into his mamma’s room, and, with sparkling eyes, told her of the new watch he was to have, overjoyed with the thought of possessing such a treasure. His mamma felt pained to hear that the thoughtless young man had made such a promise; for she knew her boy would meet with a sad disappointment, sooner or later. She also felt sad to think of the bad impression that would be left upon his little mind, as, of course, the watch would never be given. But Fred was doomed to meet with another and more bitter disappointment than the previous one. This time it was caused by one whom he thought almost perfect. His Sabbath-school teacher called on him one day, and, having been told that it was his birthday, promised to bring him a nice birthday present the next time she came to see him. Fred talked every day of the present, and watched daily for her; but when she did come, no mention was made of the promised present. After the door closed behind her, he could endure it no longer; and burying his face in his mamma’s lap, he wept as if his heart would break. Let us be careful that the silken cord of child confidence be not broken, and that we sow not seeds of distrust in the hearts of the children; but rather let us show them that we are trustworthy.