Mothers, Speak Low

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1870

Mothers, Speak Low.

I know some houses, well-built and handsomely furnished, where it is not pleasant to be even a visitor. Sharp angry tones resound through them from morning till night, and the influence is as contagious as measles, and much more to be dreaded in a household. The children catch it, and it lasts for life—an incurable disease. A friend has such a neighbor within hearing of her house, when doors and windows are opened, and even Poll Parrot caught the tune, and delights in screaming, until she has been sent into the country to improve her habits. Children catch cross tones far quicker than parrots, and it is a much more mischievous habit. When mother sets the example, you will scarcely hear a pleasant word among the children in their plays with each other. Yet the discipline of such a family is always weak and irregular. The children expect just so much scolding before they do anything they are told, while in many a home where the low firm tone of the mother, or decided look of her steady eye is law, they never think of disobedience, either in or out of her presence. O, mother! it is worth a great deal to cultivate that “excellent thing in woman”—a low, sweet voice. If you are ever so much tried by the mischievous or wilful pranks of the little ones, speak low. It will be a great help to you to even try to be patient and cheerful, if you cannot succeed. Anger makes you wretched, and your children, also. Impatient, angry tones never did the heart good, but plenty of evil. Read what Solomon says of them, and remember he wrote with an inspired pen. You cannot have the excuse for them that they lighten your burdens any, they make them ten times heavier. For your own, as well as your children's sake, learn to speak low. They will remember that tone when your head is under the willows. So, too, will they remember a harsh and angry tone. Which legacy will you leave to your children?