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Our Duty to the Children: 58 total pages.

and careful thought children may add the ability for true ex­pression, learning the use of words and of that wonderful and sadly neglected instrument, the voice. Mathematics or history or language may give the same pleasure as games and exercises of physical strength and quickness. There is the same pleasant sense that the faculties are learning to obey. During this period of childhood the memory is especially strong and active, and with the awak­ened powers of observation the memory may gain a store of knowledge which will be of after-use. Both from the book of nature and from the book of the Lord's Holy Word it gathers precious treasures and holds them faithfully. But obedience must, as we have seen, reach higher ; it must extend to the affections. This is the hardest lesson and the most important. It needs our closest sympathy and constant help. We have spoken of a child's intercourse with nature as a means of training the senses and the powers of thought. It also appeals to the affections. Under wise guidance it awakens in the 38

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