The New York Packet

Messrs. PRINTERS,

If you insert the following piece in your next paper, it may be the means of reformation in those parents, whose obstinacy and inflexible tempers, do drive their children to despair. But if it should not prevail, a few diffusions against obstinacy perhaps may have some influence, and would be esteemed a favor, by yours, S-c.

Of all hardness of heart, there is none so inexcusable as that of parents towards their children. An obstinate, inflexible, and unforgiving temper is odious upon all occasions, but here it is unnatural.

The love, tenderness and compassion, which are apt to arise towards those who depend upon us, is that by which the whole world of life is upheld; the Supreme Being, by the transcendent excellency and goodness of his nature extends his mercy towards all his works; and because his creatures have not such a spontaneous benevolence and compassion, towards those who are under their care and protection, he has implanted in them an instinct that supplies the place of this inherent goodness. This instinct runs through all the species of brute creatures, as indeed the whole animal creation subsists by it. But it is in man more general and more uncircumscribed than in brutes, as being enlarged by the dictates of reason and duty; for if we consider ourselves attentively, we shall find that we are not only inclined to love those who descend from us, but that we bear a kind of regard or natural affection to every thing which relies upon us for its good and preservation. Dependence is a perpetual call upon humanity, and a greater incitement to tenderness and pity than any other motive whatsoever. The man therefore who, notwithstanding any passion or resentment, debases his mind even below brutality, frustrates as much as in him lies, the great design of Providence, and strikes out of his nature one of the most divine principles that is planted in it. Among innumerable arguments which might be brought against such an unreasonable proceeding, I shall only insist on one, we make it the condition of our forgiveness that we forgive others. In our very prayers we desire no more than to be treated by this kind of retaliation; the case therefore before us, seems to be what they call a case in point; the relation between the child and father being what comes nearest to that between the creature and Creator. If the father is inexorable to the child who has offended, let the offence be of never so high a nature, how will he address himself to the Supreme Being on the tender appellation of a father, and desire of him such a forgiveness as he himself refuses to grant?

To this I might add many other religious, as well as many prudential considerations; but if the last mentioned motive does not prevail, I despair of succeeding par d'autre.