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Most young ladies, on attaining the age of responsibility, will perceive a difference in the manner of their parents. Instead of opposing them, as heretofore, with authority, they will oppose them with reason, where opposition is deemed necessary. The mother, instead of saying, when she disapproves any thing, “No, my child, you cannot do it;” or, “No you must not go, dear;” will say, “I would rather not have you do so;” or, “I do not approve of your going.” If you ask her reasons, she will state them, and endeavour to make you comprehend their force. It is far too often the case, that the daughter’s desire to do what her mother disapproves is so active, that neither her mother’s objections nor reasons are strong enough to counteract her wishes, and she follows her own inclinations instead of being guided by her mother’s better judgment. In these instances, she almost always does wrong, and suffers therefore either bodily or mental pain.

Obedience in childhood is that by which we are led and guided into right actions. When we become men and women, reason takes the place of obedience; but, like a young bird just fluttering from its nest, reason at first has not much strength of wing; and we should therefore suffer the reason of those who love us, like the mother-bird, to stoop under and bear us up in our earlier efforts, lest we fall bruised and wounded to the ground. To whose reason should a young girl look to strengthen her own, so soon as to her mother’s, guided as it is by love? But it too often happens that, under the first impulses of conscious freedom, no voice is regarded but the voice of inclination and passion. The mother may oppose, and warn, and urge the most serious considerations, but the daughter turns a deaf ear to all. She thinks that she knows best.

“You are not going to-night, Mary?” said a mother, coming into her daughter’s room, and finding her dressing for a ball. She had been rather seriously indisposed for some days, with a cold that had fallen upon her throat and chest, which was weak, but was now something better.

“I think I will, mother, for I am much better than I was yesterday, and have improved since morning. I have promised myself so much pleasure at this ball, that I cannot think of being disappointed.”

The mother shook her head.

“Mary,” she replied, “you are not well enough to go out. The air is damp, and you will inevitably take more cold. Think how badly your throat has been inflamed.”

“I don’t think it has been so very bad, mother.”

“The doctor told me it was badly inflamed, and said you would have to be very careful of yourself, or it might prove serious.”

“That was some days ago. It is a great deal better now.”

“But the least exposure may cause it to return.”

“I will be very careful not to expose myself. I will wrap up warm and go in a carriage. I am sure there is not the least danger, mother.”

“While I am sure that there is very great danger. You cannot pass from the door to the carriage, without the damp air striking upon your face, and pressing into your lungs.”

“But I must not always exclude myself from the air, mother. Air and exercise, you know, the doctor says, are indispensable to health.”

“Dry, not damp air. This makes the difference. But you must act for yourself, Mary. You are now a woman, and must freely act in the light of that reason which God has given you. Because I love you, and desire your welfare, I thus seek to convince you that it is wrong to expose your health to-night. Your great desire to go blinds you to the real danger, which I can fully see.”

“You are over-anxious, mother,” urged Mary. “I know how I feel much better than you possibly can, and I know I am well enough to go.”