Report of the Maternal Association.
[Bro. Smith: It was decided at the meeting of the Maternal Association this afternoon that, as there are quite a number of sisters who have formerly met with us, but who are now residing in other places, we present the report read at our annual meeting on the evening of last first-day, for publication in the Review, if it should be thought best. Perhaps it may excite an interest in others also to form similar Associations. D. S. Gardner.] Battle Creek, April 22, 1873. It being customary at the close of the year to give some report of the proceedings of the Maternal Association, and as many are unacquainted with the object and design of the society, we take this opportunity of informing them that more than two years ago, some mothers, feeling greatly burdened with the tremendous responsibility resting upon them, called a meeting to take into consideration the desirableness of forming a Maternal Association, for the purpose of meeting together to talk over our difficulties and trials, encouragements and perplexities, conflicts and victories, joys and sorrows, and with heart-cheering sympathy, seek to help and encourage, caution and admonish, each other, and unitedly implore divine aid to assist in the right discharge of our many and arduous duties. Twelve responded to the call. We have from time to time added to their number, till now, we have on our book, the names of sixty-two mothers with their two hundred and twenty-nine children. Our meetings have been held weekly, with scarcely any intermission excepting when discontinued to give place to more important ones. They are commenced by singing, reading the Holy Scriptures, and prayer. We then read a portion from some work calculated to explain and enforce the varied duties of mothers, to advocate kind and proper treatment of children, to show the importance of making everything connected with them from their earliest infancy tend to the development of good character and the reception of true religion. We frequently have some topic for conversation introduced by those who are interested or perplexed, which brings forth practical suggestions calculated to aid in our endeavors to promote the health and happiness of our families. We usually close our meetings with one or two seasons of prayer, having first inquired if there is anything special for which to supplicate, and frequently find this to be the case. We all join heartily in the petitions, and go away, we trust, feeling that it was good to be there. Of the good that has been accomplished, we would say but little. Ours is a work that is not speedily completed. It requires the persevering efforts of a lifetime, and present results may appear trifling and insignificant. But we must wait for eternity to unfold the whole. We have the sure word of promise on which to rely that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” With confidence and courage, would we persevere in our humble efforts, leaving the result in the hands of our gracious Heavenly Father, who alone can give success. But we would not withhold from Almighty God our tribute of gratitude and praise for the favors and blessings that have crowned the year. Some of us have been brought safely through seasons of sorrow and affliction, and as far as we are aware, our number remains unbroken. Some of our prayers have been heard and answered, and we have watched with anxiety and delight the deep movings of the Spirit upon the hearts of some of our children, and have often felt our own minds enlightened, our souls strengthened and refreshed. We would take this opportunity of urging the importance as much as possible of regular and prompt attendance, especially on the part of those who have young children committed to their care, for whose benefit these meetings were principally designed, and also of cordially inviting others to unite with us. Dear sisters, will you not encourage us by your presence and your prayers? Remember, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand,” and what we do must be done quickly.