SOMETHING FOR BOYS by J. W. Kirton, LL.D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 20, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 16.

SOMETHING FOR BOYS.

By J. W. Kirton, LL.D.

I ONCE saw a touching and beautiful sight. Driving through a rugged part of the country, my attention was directed to an elderly lady trying to pick her way over a rough hillside. She came slowly and carefully. The hill was steep, and I was pitying her, and thinking if it would not be well to offer my services, when I heard a whistling boy coming up behind the carriage. He bounded past, and, running up the hill, put his arms around the lady and steadied her steps, saying pleasant words, I know, for the face looked beaming and bright with happiness. As we passed, I heard her say these words: "It is so nice to have a boy to come and help a mother down the hill." They passed on, and went into a farmhouse at the foot of the hill. I knew they were mother and son. There was a sermon in those few words, I thought. I wish every boy could have heard them.

You boys are all of you here to help mother down the hill of life. You don't all do it, though; more's the pity. Some of you make it harder for her. You do things that trouble her; she is anxious about you, and then she has to pick her way over places a thousand times rougher than walking down a steep hill. Perhaps you are getting into bad habits, and will not obey her counsel. Her poor heart is bruised by your conduct. She knows what the results of evil doings are: that if a boy begins habits that he only considers light as cobwebs in his youth, by and by they may become iron chains about him, and when he is a man, he will be a slave to them.

Now, boys, if you would help the dear mother down the hill of life, and make the path smooth for her, do the things she wishes you to do. And if you are all right as regards bad habits, perhaps you are not as thoughtful of the "little things" that make up life as you might be. Be as polite in waiting upon your mother as you are in waiting on other boys' mothers. Don't speak in rough tones to her. Be gentle when you speak to her, and careful to remember what she wishes you to be particular to do at different times and in different places.

"It's so nice to have a boy to help a mother down the hill." Yes; when, weary and worn with life's hard work, and age begins to come, it is a great satisfaction and source of gratitude to know that a strong, upright boy is coming up to help mother down.

And boys who have gone from home, although you cannot literally put your arms around mother and steady her steps, yet you can write her good long letters, and tell her you wish you were in the old home again, so you could hug her and kiss her as you did when you were a little fellow, and loved to climb up in her lap. One of the greatest blessings in the world is that of having a praying mother. Make yourselves worthy of the good mothers God has given you, and take your mother's God for your God in the days of your youth.—J. W. Kirton, LL.D.