p. 9 | MOTHER'S LOVE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 23, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 25.

MOTHER'S LOVE.

WE merely preface the following story from the Episcopal Methodist by Isa. 49:15, showing the greatness and tenderness of God's love: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

There was a pathetic incident in Recorder Audion's court yesterday. It was during recess, and the judge was sitting in his private office, when an aged woman came in and said she wanted relief.

“I have seven children, judge,” began the old woman, “and I work hard to support them, but my oldest boy gets drunk—”

“Speak to the clerk, madam,” interrupted the methodical judge; “he attends to these matters, and will make out an affidavit for you.”

So she went to the clerk and told her pitiful story of how she labored at her little stand in the market to support her children, and how her great, burly son, whom she had been looking forward to as a comfort and assistance in her old age, would come in drunk, and abuse her, and with maudlin oaths demand money of her to get more drink.

“Well, madam,” said the clerk, “do you make an affidavit against your son?”

“Affidavit, sir?”

“Yes; send him to jail early in the morning.”

“Send my son to jail! Can't you stop him in any other way?”

“No, madam; affidavit—jail—only cure. Hurry up, madam, I have something else to do.”

The old woman's face assumed an expression of resolve. She would make the affidavit. She half opened her mouth to say yes, when the mother's heart got the better of her. The tears welled to her eyes; her hard hand went up to her wrinkled old forehead with a tired movement, and, looking at the clerk with wistful eyes, she said: “No. He's my son, tho he is bad. He may abuse me, he may kill me, but I can not send my son to jail. Tear up the affidavit, sir.”

And slowly, feebly, she went out into the street.