MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 11, 1906

MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

What part of the household deserves more careful thought and attention than the children? Truly, childhood may well be likened to a beautiful spring morning, to the glistening of dewdrops on the grass, the chirruping of songsters in the forest, a scent of blossoms in the air, and sunshine over all; and how strange and cold and dark the world would be without the sunny eyes and joyous voice of the young!

Do we realize the responsibility that is upon us when God lends us one of these dear little ones? Are we anxious to train them up for His service, or for a place in the most fashionable society?

I am sure if we always go to that Source where, for the asking, we shall receive the needed wisdom—liberally and without any upbraiding—we shall be enabled to speak the right words and sow the right seed very early in life. Let us try to make them happy. It is the little things we do that have a far more lasting influence than the many greater deeds.

The little opportunities that come to us day by day, and that are fleeing so rapidly—must be seized upon to reach the deep recesses of the child's nature if we would cultivate refinement and delicacy of feeling and tender thoughtfulness, and make those natures wide, and deep, and broad.

Many children are stunted and dwarfed for want of these little attentions; and the deeper feelings of love, gratitude, respect, and reverence lie dead or unawakened, and they grow up cold and indifferent—worse even than that—stony-hearted unbelievers.

Above all, send the children to bed happy. Never let them sleep with a threatened punishment in anticipation. Settle all such things before dark, that the child may go to rest with a sense of forgiveness and peace in its heart. They will not be children long; let them be as free from care and pain as possible these few short years. Send them to rest with a smile and a good-night kiss as your last act.

Yes, tuck them in bed with a gentle good-night; The mantle of shadows is veiling the light, And maybe—God knows—on this little face May fall deeper shadows in life's weary race.

Drop sweet benedictions on each little head, And fold them in prayer as they nestle in bed; A guard of bright angels around them invite; The spirit may slip from the mooring to-night.

—Mail and Express.