Front Porch Visits by MARTHA E. WARNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Front Porch Visits

By MARTHA E. WARNER

MARTHA E. WARNER

“What should you do in case a child will not answer, but stands with closed lips, and refuses to speak?” asked Mrs. Bowen.

“I should first of all try to find out the reason for this strange behavior,” I answered. “Sometime when he is talkative, ask him why he does so. If he opens his heart to you, you may be able to get a clue that will help you. If he proves stubborn, treat him as if he were ill; for he is. Put him to bed. Make hot or cold applications to his chest or throat. Don’t ask him to speak. Have it understood that he cannot. A few courses of such treatment will often effect a cure. Perhaps some form of nervousness is at the root of the trouble; in that case you must act differently.”

“But to give a child a course of treatment like that would take the time I ought to be doing my housework,” my neighbor protested.

“‘Well,’ I replied, ‘housework is for today; home work is for eternity. You must make the choice as to which shall receive your first attention.’”

Clintonville, Conn.