INFLUENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF MOTHERS by Lillie D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Apr 4, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 14.

INFLUENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF MOTHERS

By Lillie D. Avery-Stuttle

II. TRAINING TO PURITY.

IF you were to ask me which is the most beautiful and perfect emblem of purity that this sin-cursed planet can produce, I would answer, By all means, an innocent child, a sinless babe. And the problem which is ours to solve is of tremendous import: How shall we keep pure and spotless those sweet buds of promise which Heaven has graciously given? What ought parents to do? and what ought they to refrain from doing, in order to bring about this most desirable result?

"Susie asks me so many questions," says one mother, "that I must confess I don't know how to answer them. Sometimes I just feel obliged to fib a little, you know. Really I can't help it, 'twouldn't do to tell her the truth about some things—now would it?"

Well, my friend, I think the truth is always better than a lie; and if you tell a lie to your innocent child, please don't think he will not find it out. You may deceive him for a time, but he will discover the deception, and then you will stand condemned and guilty in his sight. And how natural it will be to retaliate by deceiving you. O, it is productive of nothing but mischief. On the other hand, a wise mother can cleverly and tactfully turn the susceptible mind of her child into other channels of thought, until he shall be old enough to comprehend the explanations you must make, and the questions which must some day be answered. Let me tell you what I consider the three greatest enemies to the purity of innocent childhood—Bad books, flashy newspapers, and bad companions.

"But what can I do?" some one asks. "I must keep informed of the passing events of the world by reading the newspapers, and, of course, if I have them in the house, the children will get hold of them."

My sister, does it make you a better-informed woman or a more intelligent one, to spend an hour or two every day reading a minute description of some wretched scandal or horrible murder? what if it is a fact?—which thing you can't be at all sure about,—does it make you a better mother, to know all the revolting details? Bad newspapers prepare the way for bad books, and bad books for bad companions, for vile words and vile stories.

It seems almost an unneeded caution to speak of the harmful effect of a single vile story or an obscene word or a questionable joke, upon the mind and heart of a pure child. My sister, your innocent child should be as carefully shielded from such soul poison, as from the deadliest drug, and more so; for it is more terrible to poison the soul than the body.

And, O ye fathers, does it not seem strange and appalling that a description of the latest prize-fight or ball-game appeals to you more than a report of the foreign missions? And still we wonder at the perverseness of the children, and fail to understand why we can not keep them pure and innocent. "Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?"

"But how can we teach purity to our children, when our own hearts are filled with impurity and evil thoughts?"

The question is pertinent. It can not be done. The first thing in order is to cleanse our own soul-temples, and when the fountain becomes pure, the stream will be pure also. "But our thoughts come unbidden; how can we control them?" How? Thank God, it is possible to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of His will.

"But," you say, "I have tried and tried; it is of no use. The evil thoughts will come; I hate them, but they will come."

Well, but there is a remedy. Surely you can never train your children in the paths of purity while your own souls are smirched with sin. My brother, my sister, ye whose hearts cry out for purity, this do: Go to your chamber, and on your bended knees plead for the victory. He who made man's heart has complete power over it when it is surrendered to Him. He knoweth our frame. Tell Him all about your trouble; tell Him you can never do this for yourself. Tell Him of your vain and fruitless efforts. Repeat to Him his promise, and He will respect His own word, that He will "cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Go to the Strong for strength, and to the infinitely Pure for purity. The suggestions of Satan can not stay in your hearts when you have given free entrance to the mighty Spirit of the living God. "Let the wicked

forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Cry mightily unto Him who has said, "Blessed are the pure in heart," and He will surely answer you; He will wipe the evil thoughts from your heart, as a "man wipeth a dish."

Then you are able, in His strength, to teach true purity to your children.

LILLIE D. AVERY-STUTTLE.