Mothers, Speak Kindly

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1872

Mothers, Speak Kindly.

CHILDREN catch cross tones quicker than parents, 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 that 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 always think of obedience, either in or out of sight.

O Mother, it is worth a great deal to cultivate that excellent thing in a 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 always 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 only ten times heavier. For your sake, as well as your children's learn to speak low. They will remember that tone. So, too, will they remember a harsh and angry tone. Which legacy will you leave your children?—Sel.