MOTHERS, SPEAK GENTLY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1900

MOTHERS, SPEAK GENTLY.

CHILDREN catch cross tones quicker than parrots, and it is a much more mischievous habit. But when an impatient mother sets the example, you will scarcely hear a pleasant word among the children in their plays with one another. The discipline of such a family is always weak and irregular. The children expect about so much scolding before they do anything they are bidden, while in many a home, where the low firm tone of the mother, or the decided look of her steady eye, is law, they never think of disobedience, either in or out of sight. 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 tired by the mischievous or willful 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 can not succeed. Anger makes you wretched, and your children also. Impatient, angry tones never did the heart good, but plenty of evil. Remember what Solomon says of them, and remember that he wrote with an inspired pen. You can not have the excuse for them that they lighten your burdens in any way; they make them only ten times heavier. For your own sake, as well as your children's sake, learn to speak low. They will remember that tone when your head is under the green-sward. So, too, will they remember a harsh or angry tone. Which legacy will you leave your children? —Selected.