Mother's Influence Reaches Into Eternity. --The sphere of the mother may be
humble; but her influence, united with the father's, is as abiding as eternity.
Next to God, the mother's power for good is the strongest known on earth.
The mother's influence is an unceasing influence; and if it is always on the
side of right, her children's characters will testify to her moral earnestness
and worth. Her smile, her encouragement, may be an inspiring force. She may
bring sunshine to the heart of her child by a word of love, a smile of approval.
. . .
When her influence is for truth, for virtue, when she is guided by divine
wisdom, what a power for Christ will be her life! Her influence will reach on
through time into eternity. What a thought is this--that the mother's looks and
words and actions bear fruit in eternity, and the salvation or ruin of many will
be the result of her influence!
Little does the mother realise that her influence in the judicious training
of her children reaches with such power through the vicissitudes of this life,
stretching forward into the future, immortal life. To fashion a character after
the heavenly Model requires much faithful, earnest, persevering labour; but it
will pay, for God is a rewarder of all well-directed labour in securing the
salvation of souls.
Like Mother--Like Children. --The tenderest earthly tie is that between the
mother and her child. The child is more readily impressed by the life and
example of the mother than by that of the father, for a stronger and more tender
bond of union unites them.
The thoughts and feelings of the mother will have a powerful influence upon
the legacy she gives her child. If she allows her mind to dwell upon her own
feelings, if she indulges in selfishness, if she is peevish and exacting, the
disposition of her child will testify to the fact. Thus many have received as a
birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil. The enemy of souls
understands this matter much better than do many parents. He will bring his
temptations to bear upon the mother, knowing that if she does not resist him, he
can through her affect her child. The mother's only hope is in God. She may flee
to Him for strength and grace; and she will not seek in vain.
A Christian mother will ever be wide awake to discern the dangers that
surround her children. She will keep her own soul in a pure, holy atmosphere;
she will regulate her temper and principles by the word of God and will
faithfully do her duty, living above the petty temptations which will always
assail her.
The Wholesome Influence of a Patient Mother. -- Many times in the day is the
cry of, Mother, mother, heard, first from one little troubled voice and then
another. In answer to the cry, mother must turn here and there to attend to
their demands. One is in trouble and needs the wise head of the mother to free
him from his perplexity. Another is so pleased with some of his devices he must
have his mother see them, thinking she will be as pleased as he is. A word of
approval will bring sunshine to the heart for hours. Many precious beams of
light and gladness can the mother shed here and there among her precious little
ones. How closely can she bind these dear ones to her heart, that her presence
will be to them the sunniest place in the world.
But frequently the patience of the mother is taxed with these numerous little
trials that seem scarcely worth attention. Mischievous hands and restless feet
create a great amount of labour and perplexity for the mother. She has to hold
fast the reins of self-control, or impatient words will slip from her tongue.
She almost forgets herself time and again, but a silent prayer to her pitying
Redeemer calms her nerves, and she is enabled to hold the reins of self-control
with quiet dignity. She speaks with calm voice, but it has cost her an effort to
restrain harsh words and subdue angry feelings which, if expressed, would have
destroyed her influence, which it would have taken time to regain.
The perception of children is quick, and they discern patient, loving tones
from the impatient, passionate command, which dries up the moisture of love and
affection in the hearts of children. The true Christian mother will not drive
her children from her presence by her fretfulness and lack of sympathizing love.
To Shape Minds and Mould Characters. --Especially does responsibility rest
upon the mother. She, by whose lifeblood the child is nourished and its physical
frame built up, imparts to it also mental and spiritual influences that tend to
the shaping of mind and character. It was Jochebed, the Hebrew mother, who,
strong in faith, was "not afraid of the king's commandment," of whom
was born Moses, the deliverer of Israel. It was Hannah, the woman of prayer and
self-sacrifice and heavenly inspiration, who gave birth to Samuel, the
heaven-instructed child, the incorruptible judge, the founder of Israel's sacred
schools. It was Elizabeth, the kinswoman and kindred spirit of Mary of Nazareth,
who was the mother of the Saviour's herald.
The World's Debt to Mothers. --The day of God will reveal how much the world
owes to godly mothers for men who have been unflinching advocates of truth and
reform--men who have been bold to do and dare, who have stood unshaken amid
trials and temptations; men who chose the high and holy interests of truth and
the glory of God before worldly honour or life itself.
Mothers, awake to the fact that your influence and example are affecting the
character and destiny of your children; and in view of your responsibility,
develop a well-balanced mind and a pure character, reflecting only the true, the
good, and the beautiful.