Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-01-15

make tne HIST iJipICSSiOho uPoh t"es
mind, and first directs its attention, 1t
is then that the mother has an access
and an influence, which cannot be at
tanned at any other period. The first
inquiries of the little infant must be an
-swered by her who gave it birth. As
he gazes upon those twinkling stars
that glitter in the evening sky, and asks
'awho made those shining things" il
is a mother's duty to tell the little pratt
tier Of that great and good Being, who
dwells in the heavens, and who is the
Father ofall our mercies. And as the
mind enlarges, the mother tells the lit
tie listner of that Jesus, who lay in a
Manager, and died on the cross.-And
when she softens its pillow for its
nightly slumbers, and watches its clos
ing eyes, it is her privilege to hear it
lisp "Our Father" and direct it to love
that Father whose name it so early
speaks. Let this golden opportunity
pass, these days Of childhood roll away,
and the mind filed only with tabled
stories and sportive songs, and the pre-
cious immortal is trained for some O.
Their state than,th paradise above. Do
you say that you are ignorant, and not
capable of giving instruction? Asyou
child clings to your bosom, he directs
his inquiring countenance to you for
some interesting story; you know E.
nough to tell him of some hero orking,
and cannot you tell him Of the King Of
Zion, the Prince Of Peace? And what
more could the learned philosopher tell
this infant mind You are unknoscn and
obscure did you say? But you are known
to your child, and your influence there
is greater than that of a legislator or
general. Your words are received
with confidence, and "my mother told
me So is an argument Of sufficient
weight to convince the child OF the
most important truths.
Here you have an influence which
no other creature can have, and Can ex-
ert it in circumstances the most favo-
rable. 1t is not to open to son the
stores of science that may qualify him
to rank among the learned and the
wise of the world, it is not to adorn a
daughter with those accomplishments
which shall attract the attention OF
those who crowd the hall of pleasure,
or move in the circle ofrefnement and
fashion. But the object is far more
noble, more worthy the undivided at
tention Of those who live for immortal
ity.
That child who now prattles on your
knee, or sports around your dwelling,
may yet tell some perishing heather Of
Jesus of Nazareth; may yet be an able
soldier in the army of Emmanuel, and
may plant the standard of the cross OH
the shores of Greenland, or under the
burning suns of Africa. Look at facts,
What first led the pious and emincntly
useful John Newton to the knowledge
of the truth? The instructions Of his
mother, given at the early period Of
to,n gears, fastened upon his conscience,
and led him to a saviour.
Can you estimate the effect of his la
bors? Not till you can compute the
usefulness Of Buchanan and Scoot,
who were converted by his instrument
tality-till you can see the full blaze Of
that light, which the former carried
into the heart of heather India; and
witness the domestic comfort and
Frightening hopes occasioned by the
labors Of the latter. Who taught
young Timothy, an early laborer III the
vineyard of Jesus Christ, the first les
sons of religious truth? Who led Sa-
muel, prophet and judge in Israel,
while he was yet young, to the house OF
the Lord, and dedicated him to the SER
vice of the God of Heaven? 4 praying
mother.
Though the seed thus sown in child
hood, may not spring up and bring
forth fruit while under the maternal
eye; yet we must not conclude that it is
lost. A clergyman recently met sea-
man in the street Of a neighboring city,
and pressed upon him the duty of at
tending to the concerns of his SOUL
The hardy mariner burst into tears and
exclaimed "stop, stop, don't talk to me
so, it is just as my mother talked to me
when was boy" A mothers coun-
sci had followed him through all his
wanderiugs, and still the words OF her
who prayed for him, retained their
hold on his conscience.
The time has come when it is es-
teemed greater honor to be the moth
er Of Brainerd or Martyr, than OF a
Caesar or Napoleon. And suppose
the mothers of these men, whose char
acters though so widely different, are so
universally known, should from their
unchanging state, look upon these sons
whom they have nourished; what would
be the view presented to them! Who
would not choose to have given birth
to the Christian heroes? Yet it is not
for this short state Of existence only,
n