The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-10-06
Grlctt 4flistrllanD.
From the Ncw-Yerk Evangelist
IMPRESSIONS OF CHILDHOOD.

was recently very much interested in the
remarks Ola Christian mother, in regard TO
the earle influence Of mothers upon their chill
,lrcn. She said, II cannot understand how
mothers can feel happy in being away from
their children SO much as they sometimes are
they are losing 50 much time: they lose so
much Of the carly lives Of their childien they
aIc losing so much precious influence. 1t
seems to me very important that mothers
should DC Constantly with their children, es
pecidliy WHh their bolE. They acquire hold
upon their affections then which could never
hc gained af.clward, and if it is once gained
that influence can never I've lost.
These were tho words ola devoted an SIc-
cecSiul Christian mother. One of her sons Is
member Of Il Theological institution, AID is
intending TO become missionary of the Cross
llta UNCOMMON talent aud his earnest picty
VII make him cmincnty useful in what even
l'ari Of the world he may be called to labor
Inc second son is a member of college, Of SUI
pcrior scholarship and exemplary pcty. The
daughter isl girl oiunconInon lovlincss, and
her Christian character IS one of rare beauty
and maturity | was never more struck with
the power Of mothers influence and exam.
pile, than when first heard her eldest son
|,ad in prayer The whole manncr-cverv
infection Of his voice was precisely that of
his mother. lie had caught not only his
mothers spirit, hut the very tones Of her
voice. Every female present, who had listen.
Cd 10 the voice of his mother in the circle of
prayer, was struck with the resemblance.
This mother has made the conversion Of
her children the first object of her life. They
could not donbs that she sought for them
ilrst 1.-THE kingdom Of heaven and its right.
cossneSs. For her prayers and labors, for
her Sclt-denial and devotion. she is certainly
richly rewarded. In that day, when the
Lord of Hosts shall make up his jewels, will
she not Le able TO say, "llcro am |, and the
children winch God hath given mc!"
In reading the life Of wi Parsons, one of
the first Missionaries which America sent to
Palestine, whose pure and devoted, though
brief life, should ever be held in remembrance
by the American churches, find an interest.
ing tribute to the strength Of early impress
IONS. lie was a child of religious parents,
AND was very early dedicated to God. lie
was the object OF SPECIAL pryor from the very
first moments of his existence. When God
lncathcd INFO him the breath of life, the heart
OF his mother assembled in prayer to God that
that life might be one Of pcty and duty.
When Ec WAS All infant in the cradle he was
u
of the Gospel. At the age Of sixteen he made
profession of religion, and very soon after
he had completed collegiate and theological
course Of study, he entered upon the life Of a
missionary. In the year 1871, the last year
Of his life, he writes to his parents, from the
Island Of SYRIA, and it was one Of the last let
tors he ever wrote them:
during my sickness, have had occasion
often to bless my parents for teaching me the
Scriptures. When a very little child, my pa
rents required me to learn the twelfth chapter
of ErlcSa>tcS, the twelfth chapter of Romans
and the twelfth chapter of Hebrews. Almost
every verse OF these ceapters has ever since
remained in my mind. And twenty-five
years after, when on sick and, i'll the opin-
ion Of all around, dying bed, some of these
passages gave me the strongest consolation
No person, in this world, will fully value
the instructions Of very little children. I'm
prcssions then made are remembered, and,
beyond a doubt, lead many to repentance
twenty, thirty, fifty years after.
Mothers how can you spend your time
more prottably and pleasantly than in attend
Ing to the physical, intellectual, and religious
education Of your children! Do not forget
the importance of their early religious I'M
prcssons. Read the Bible with them, and
10 them before they can read themselves. Let
yo,lr children be familiar with your voice, as
it asccndS to the Throne of Grace in pleading
for the little ones whom God has given you.
BE faithful in the performance of your daily
duties, and you may hope for the carly con-
version of your children. But if the seed
does not spring up Immediately it will not be
lost: and Oh Il bod Of sickness, and in the
hour of death your Child will not forget the
mother who strovc to lead his infant steps i'll
the narrow way of life.
BE not faitAlcSs, but believing"