A Sacred Charge by Mrs. M. E. Steward

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

A Sacred Charge

By Mrs. M. E. Steward

MRS. M. E. STEWARD

"TAKE this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." Royalty gave this command to the mother of Moses. Every mother may consider that she has a like charge from an authority infinitely higher than that of an earthly monarch. Especially is this the case now that the people of God are about to enter the heavenly Canaan.

The training of the child should begin with the first dawn of intelligence. A mother was heard to say, "I taught my children modesty when they were babies on my lap." These children grew up with refined natures. One whose counsel we all respect said that the will of a child should be taken in hand as soon as it begins to show temper. At this time other principles of right can be brought to bear on the awakening mind, and if not already possessed by the child, they will become second nature.

Many well-meaning parents make serious mistakes in discipline. Some threaten, but end by yielding the point. Too many mothers in these days are nervous; they bear with the noise till their nerves give way, and then they cry, "Stop that racket, or I'll go away and you'll never see me again." "If you run away, I'll tie you up, and I'll not untie you till the middle of next week." "If you touch that thing, a bear will jump out and catch you." Sooner or later the child finds that such things never happen, and too soon he is telling the most bare-faced falsehoods himself.

There are parents who, having their eyes on perfection, notice and seek to correct every misdemeanor. It is often better to pass by trifles than to cause the little one to shrink from the presence of its parents. The following facts will illustrate:—

A mother had occasion to punish her seventeen-month-old baby. Immediately after, he got hold of a funny word, a nickname, which he rattled off for a long time as fast as his tongue could fly. She wisely paid no attention to it.

A good woman took a little girl to rear. Something at the table one day did not please the child. She slipped out of her chair, went into another room, threw herself on the floor, and kicked and screamed and bumped her head as long as she wished to. No one noticed her; but when the child's anger had subsided, the woman took the little one on her lap and said, "Now you have shown me what you can do; you are never to do it again." She never did. That child is now an estimable young lady filling a position of usefulness.

A child three years old, who had been with godless people since the death of his mother, was placed in a kind Christian family. Not long after, he threw himself upon the floor, and kicked, and screamed at the top of his voice. No attention was paid to him. At last he said to the woman, "Aren't you going to pick me up?" "I don't do things that way," she replied. Soon he got up quietly and went to play. In a short time he learned what was the way of this lady, and he came to love her very dearly. He loved Jesus, too; his face invariably lighted up when he heard his name. So quickly is this beautiful child love acquired that it should be an encouragement to parents who are inclined to fear that their children are too young to learn to love God.

Little children sometimes take strange notions. A child, probably three or four years of age, took it into his head to tell fictitious stories. The mother was sorely troubled, not knowing what to do. A friend suggested that she pay no attention to it. This advice was followed, and the child grew up a truthful boy.

There are times when severe chastisement is necessary, as when a commandment of God has been knowingly transgressed. The child should be made to understand that this is a very serious offense. Using the rod is not the only proper mode of correction. When a bad word is spoken, the mouth may be swabbed out with a solution of aloes; it may be washed with soap and water after a filthy word. When cross, the child may be undressed and put to bed, with the explanation that crossness is illness, and should be treated like any other illness. He is to be kept in bed the rest of the day if possible.

It is very essential that all be done in love, with no irritation. Then calm judgment can be exercised, and tenderness will not alienate the young heart. Home should be the most cheery place in the world. If but one member of the family persistently speaks of only the bright side of things, ignoring as far as possible all disagreeable, painful topics, it will work like leaven.

Children should always have the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts to do well are fully appreciated. Many a child has tried hard to do just right, and, because of the fault found with him, has become discouraged and felt that it was useless to try again. When mother is pleased, the little one is happy, and inwardly resolves he will do better next time. It is a good rule to praise more than to blame; commendation is not necessarily flattery.

The mother should often pray with as well as for her children. She should make them understand something of mother love, then seek to impress them with the love of Jesus, which is "infinitely more tender than a mother's love." She should be encouraged by the knowledge that the heart of a child is far more tender than that of an adult.

From the first, the Christian mother may trust in Him who blessed little children. This blessing was for all the offspring of godly parents. The Lord cooperates with them all along; he begins by giving the infant unquestioning faith in its mother; and if she is careful and trusting, God will continue to work with her to lay a firm foundation of noble character.

Sanitarium, Cal.