Responsibility of Motherhood by Eulalia S. Richards, M. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 14, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 27.

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Responsibility of Motherhood

By Eulalia S. Richards, M. D.

A Threefold Charge — Time Must Be Found for the Most Needful Thing in Training the Child

By Eulalia S. Richards, M. D.

Of all the blessings bestowed upon the human race by an all-wise Father, none is more precious than parenthood.

The little child brings to his parents a wealth of love and joy, but he also brings a sacred and solemn responsibility. This responsibility is threefold in its character; for has not the babe a body, a mind, and a soul, each of which should be trained for God, who is the giver of the child life?

The Little Body of Helplessness

There is a little body to be cared for during a long period of helplessness, to be nourished with the purest food, to be clothed and washed, to be guarded from physical harm, to be cherished in health and nursed in sickness. There are little feet to be guided in life’s pathway, and small hands which must be taught to perform their share of the world’s work.

There is a young mind to be stored with whatsoever things are pure, true, honest, just, lovely, and of good report, so that there shall be no room for that which is evil. There is a little soul to be guarded from the corrupting influences that are in the world, so that a noble Christian character may be developed.

The Mother’s Responsibility

Such is the responsibility that the little child brings to his parents. While this responsibility should be shared by the parents, the heavier burden, as a rule, must be carried by the mother. The father whose business takes him away from home during the greater part of the day, sees but little of his children, and consequently has less opportunity to influence their lives than has the mother. She is with the little ones from dawn until dark, day after day, month after month, year after year. During these years of intimate association with her children, the mother has many precious opportunities to mold their characters not only for time but for eternity.

What a pity that we mothers become so absorbed in keeping our houses in order, preparing the meals, making, washing, ironing, and mending innumerable little garments, blacking small boots, and washing little hands and faces, that we find no time for the culture of our children’s minds and souls!

Food and Clothing a Part Only

When we have provided our little ones with a clean and comfortable home, with wholesome food and suitable clothing, we have performed but a part of our duty. We have merely provided for their physical development. We need also to give earnest thought to their mental and spiritual growth. The words of our Master might well be applied to us, “These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

But we hear the cry from many weary, overburdened mothers: “How can we do more than we are doing? We are busy from early morning till late at night. How can we find time for companionship with our children?”

We realize the difficulties these busy mothers experience, for we know how much work is entailed in the making of a home and the rearing of a family. But surely, by the help of Him who has promised, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be,” we may each one be enabled to perform rightly our whole duty to our children.

Recognize the Most Important Duty

In many cases, the difficulty lies in the mother’s failure to recognize her most important duty. As mothers we need to learn what are the really big things in life, the things that are worth while. We need to learn how to let slip those things which are of no vital importance to the welfare of our children.

“There is a little soul to be guarded from the corrupting influences that are in the world.”

How pathetic to see a frail mother spending weary hours needlessly decorating her child’s frock or bonnet, when instead she might be adorning the little one’s mind and heart! A clean, healthy child is the most beautiful thing in God’s world, and needs no elaborately decorated garments to enhance its charms. But, O, let us do more than this! Let us each one endeavor to make our home the happiest place on earth for those who have been entrusted to our care. Let us so simplify the routine of our daily domestic life that we shall find time for the helpful word and the kindly deed,—time to live with our children.

Thus shall we bestow upon our children a priceless treasure, the cherished memory of a happy childhood. Thus shall we be enabled, by God’s help, to fit our children for the responsibilities of manhood and womanhood.