THOUGHTS FOR THE YOUNG by H.

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1880

THOUGHTS FOR THE YOUNG.

By H.

PERMIT one, who has a mother's heart, to say a few words to those away from their home and parents. It is trying to you to be absent from loved ones. Often you may weep and sigh in your own quiet room; but do you ever think that it is harder for your dear parents to spare you from their society than for you to be away. Could it be for your interests how gladly would they still shield you under the shadow of home. But this cannot always be. With yearning anxiety the parents have sought the best school-home or place of employment for you; they have carefully selected among the many, the very best, in their judgment, where to place their child, for mental and moral discipline. When you left your home, tears and loving words bade you adieu, while a mother's prayers followed you to your new situation. Day by day, and night after night, she thinks of you, and longs for your good.

How sad the case of those who have only worldly, ambitious or indifferent parents! God pity such and be their helper. And you that have a Christian mother, when you bow in prayer, forget not to thank your Father above for this precious boon. That gentle being who bore and nourished you, whose love is stronger than death, and knows no waning, is now separated from you, and do you not desire to "honor" her and her self-sacrificing devotion? I know you do, and how can you do it? By always conducting yourself as she would desire. God is the great "searcher of hearts," and to him are we amenable, but the faithful, judicious, godly mother, is his living oracle to her children. Possessed of such a mother, you are safe in following the rule just given. At home or abroad, at your duties or recreation, alone in your own room or in the busy throng, let the question ever recur, "Would my mother approve?" And be sure that you rightly interpret her wishes.

Two school-girls once stole away from their studies and spent a long time after dark, swinging with some gentlemen acquaintances. When asked if their mother would be pleased with this, they replied, "Our mother has so much confidence in us, that she would trust us anywhere." Was not this presuming upon her confidence?

Two other young girls at home, went out one evening and were gone till quite late. On their return, the mother anxiously inquired where they had been. They did not tell her. They had merely been walking in a retired street with two intimate friends. But suspecting that she would chide them, they concealed the truth and left her in anxious suspense. She died without knowing the facts, and many were the bitter tears of sorrow, afterwards shed by those penitent sisters. Oh, how cruel! They knew not what they did.

My dear girls, be sure and make your mother your confidant in all things; yes, all. Imagine not that she is unfeeling and too severe. Fancy not that she is not interested in all that pertains to your happiness, however trivial it may be.

There is a prevalent pernicious custom among young girls, that of making some young friend a confidant, instead of that best friend, the mother. This ought not so to be, and how many suffer in consequence of it. Some tell mother all, until their first young love springs into being, and then their lips are dumb. Then commences a shutting-up of the heart, and a gradual lessening of soul-communion, which proves a source of pain and heart-sobbings in after years. Fail not, then, to consult her wisdom and wishes in this most important matter. Many have learned, but too late, that a stern control and checking of some early love would have saved them many miserable days or years.

Rid yourself of the idea, so common among your class, that your companion for life must be selected immediately. I have known many who seemed to feel that at the age of sixteen, it was time to begin to think of this thing. The truth is, at that age, you are yourselves unfitted to select a husband, or to decide whom you would in future prefer. Your associates, at this age, very probably may not be your chosen ones when a few years older. Wait, wait, then, and let your precious moments be occupied in employments more appropriate to the present. Strive to fit yourself to be a true woman. Let your life be adorned with all womanly graces. Let modesty, integrity, decision and faithfulness, constitute the beauty of your character, while love and devotion to the good of all, shall make you an angel of mercy. These graces do not flourish naturally in the soil of your heart, hence cultivation will be necessary. Be watchful each hour, lest noxious weeds choke their growth, and never cease to guard against the "foes within." This is to be your life-work, and not to be intermitted while at school, or place of employment. The heart as well as the intellect is to be trained. Be conscientious in little things; strictly honest. Be frank, open-hearted, manifest such an integrity of purpose that all may safely trust in you. Again, exercise a spirit of cheerful obedience. In your youth and inexperience you may not be able to see the propriety of all these rules. But trust the wisdom of your superiors in this, in other respects, and believe they seek your highest welfare, and not the gratification of arbitrary power, as some of you sometimes imagine. If perchance you need and receive reproof, be sure to take it kindly. Your teachers are faithful friends, and instead of resenting a reproof and hating the reprover, lay it to heart, resolving never to deserve a similar censure again, and love with stronger gratitude than before the one who has been thus faithful. Be faithful in all your employments, even in the least. Never neglect one duty to perform another; for duties never clash. Take up each duty as it comes, perform it to the best of your ability, and be satisfied, and ready for the next. Systematize all your labors, having a specified time for each, so far as it is possible. Much is accomplished in this way. Let no duty be neglected, however small. Especially, take time every day to commune with the Father of your spirit, and to learn His will, for without this, you are but poorly prepared for study or any other effort.

In the choice of associates, seek those whose influence over you will be decidedly elevating. As an author has said, "We insensibly imbibe coloring from those with whom we associate, whether by the living voice or written page." Bear this in mind, and let it have its influence in the selection of associates, and of the books you read. You do not need a large number of particular friends. The old stanza has it:— "Have communion with few; Be intimate with one; Deal friendly with all; Speak evil of none."

This leads me to speak of the government of the tongue. Be wary of that "unruly member." The power of speech is given us for a wise purpose; to be the source of pleasure and not of pain. Be careful, then, lest you "offend in word." Have a kind word for all; it costs nothing, but is "above all price." Watch for opportunities to drop a word of sympathy or assistance, and the heart of the desponding one will bless you.

In conclusion, let me ask, do you write often to those dear ones, at the home fire-side? Could you read that mother's heart, and see the anxiety, the depth of love, the tender solicitude there, you would be faithful in this duty. A journal kept for mother's eye, would be a treasure to her. If you have been at all negligent in this respect, go now and tell her, as well as you can with ink and pen, your love for her, your appreciation of her self-forgetting care; confess all your ingratitude and crave her blessing.

Neglect not that precious Bible, which her hand, perhaps, has placed in your trunk, and ever seek to be molded into the image of the perfect Pattern.—H., in Advocate and Guardian.