p. 13 | Good Advice for All the Family

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 21, 1914

Good Advice for All the Family

A Word to Mothers

LET the mothers of this land be the chosen confidents and companions of their daughters. There is something wrong in every mother, how good soever she may be, whose young daughter cannot lay her head on her mother's lap, and, without fear of reproach or repulse, give expression to her full thoughts. That mother may, or may not, approve her daughter's wish or opinion; she may think it premature, or in every way inadvisable; but, O, the relief and safety to that daughter, that she may "tell mother"! Let the two talk it over together, as young companions do, honestly and frankly.

Praise Your Wife

A sunshiny husband makes a merry, beautiful home, worth having, worth working for. If a man is breezy, cheery, considerate, and sympathetic, his wife sings in her heart over her puddings and her mending basket, counts the hours until he returns at night, and renews her youth in the security she feels of his approbation and admiration. You may think it weak and childish if you please, but it is the admired wife, the wife who hears words of praise and receives smiles of commendation, who is capable, discreet, and executive.

I have seen a timid, meek, self-distrustful little body fairly bloom into strong, self-reliant womanhood under the tonic and the cordial of companionship with a husband who really went out of his way to find occasion for showing her how fully he trusted her judgment, and how tenderly he deferred to her opinion.

In home life there should be no jar, no striving for place, no insisting on prerogatives or division of interest. The husband and the wife are each the complement of the other. And it is just as much his duty to be cheerful as it is hers to be patient; his right to bring joy into the door as it is hers to garnish the pleasant interior. A family where the daily walk of the father makes life a festival, is filled with something like heavenly benediction.

Saving Mother Steps

There are so many steps for mother to take every day! She is kept busy, trotting about from morning till night. Her work is unending. Does it ever occur to John or Mary to save mother steps, by offering to run up or down stairs for her, to fetch some needed article?

A helping hand in the kitchen is always acceptable. Willing feet to run errands will not be refused. Mother's hands and feet get tired, and she is ready and glad to make use of service proffered by her boy or girl. Such service is sweet to her, and how happy it will make you who offer it!

Mother would be less weary, too, at night if she did not have to repeat things so often. Prompt obedience would save her voice, as willing errands her feet.

One way of serving Jesus is to serve mother. Our Saviour was obedient to his parents and did their bidding. He had nothing to regret when recalling his boyhood days. What a comfort it will be to look back upon your childhood days and to feel that you did your duty by mother! It is a satisfaction that brings with it a sense of peace and joy.

All honor is due to your mother, boys and girls. Save her all you can, and thus lengthen her days. The world holds no other like her. Remember that "Honor thy father and thy mother" is the first commandment with a promise. — Catholic Citizen.