I Gave Them Myself by Clifford M. Loveland

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 13, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 40.

I Gave Them Myself

By Clifford M. Loveland

SAID a mother to me one day: “When my children were young, I thought the very best thing to do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk with them, to read to them, to teach them, to pray with them, to be a loving friend and companion to my children.

“I had to neglect my house often. I had no time to indulge myself in many things I should have liked to do. I was so busy adorning their minds and cultivating their hearts’ best affection, that I could not adorn their bodies in fine clothes, tho I kept them neat and comfortable at all times.

“I have my reward now. My sons are ministers of the Gospel, and my grown-up daughter is a Christian woman. I have plenty of time now to sit down, plenty of time to rest and keep my house in order, plenty of time to indulge myself, besides going about my Master’s business wherever He has need of me.

“I have a thousand of their memories to cheer and comfort me. Now that they have gone out into the world, I have the sweet consciousness of having done all I could, all that was possible, to make them ready for whatever God calls them to do.”

If all mothers would do as this wise mother did, what different results would we now see among the young men and women of this world. How it would tell for Christ’s kingdom! How much more swiftly would go to the world “the everlasting Gospel,” gathering out from the byways of sin precious souls for the fold of Christ.

Therefore let us gird on the armor, and be ever faithful and watchful, lest we fall. For the Master is near, yea, even at the door. CLIFFORD M. LOVELAND.