The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-12-24
GOOD MOTHERS.
o

[ was once on visit at gentleman's
house, in the town of Huntington, and my
attention was arrested by picture that
hung in the dining-room. 1t represented
Ian aged woman in a homely dress. 1t
was not fine work of art, and it boosted
mo decoration or peculiarly, but that of
extreme simplicity of delineation, yet my
|eye rested complacently on that good, calm
face, with its thoughtful eyes, and kind
mouth, that one almost expected to break
into smile. looked at my host, he had
similar bright dark eyes and open brow,
and without asking, was assured the pic
1ture, with tie plain close cap and neat
apron, represented his mother. Seeing
my eyes fixed on the painting, my host
came to my side as | stood gazing, and
after little pause, while slight mist-it
/ might be a gathering tear-dimmed his
Reyes, said half abstractedly, as though he
was thinking aloud, II know she was a
sinner, because the Bible says all have
Skinned, so of course she like the rest of us
must have been been sinner, but / can
mot call to mind word or deed she ever
said or did that was sinful" / turned to
1 him as he was speaking, and his eyes
gcaught the inquiring look of mine. He
smiled and repeated, Yes, it's true, my
9only knowledge that she was sinner is,
that the Bible says, There is none righ-
lteous, no, not one
"What a testimonyP' | exclaimed, 80,
that mig cJtltef en- could say the same OF
me"
These words of my friend, man not
] given to strong, still less to exaggerated
expressions, sunk deep into my heart and
4 led me to think great deal more about
mothers than l had ever previously done.
Reader, the best earthly blessing is a
good mother, and the greatest earthly curse
lis bad one.
Children may overcome the misery of a
4 bad father, but rare indeed, are the instan-
stances where they have escaped ruin
d when they have had bad mother But
i | have not the heart to write about bad
5mothers; it's satan's worst misehief--the
mystery of iniquity. Let us comfort our
/ souls as we travel life's journey by think
5ing over some good mothers.
George Stephenson, the great railway
engineer, had good mother In all her
poverty and it was bitter, she was spoken
3of as " a raal caany body" the highest
praise her neighbors knew how to give"
Sir Humphrey Davy had a good moth
Ter, one who encouraged him to study; one
| who during her widowhood devoted herself
to her children, and taught them persever-
ance by her good example.
h. ~ +oI
statesman had good mother. She was
Ia widow in poor circumstances, and kept a
small pottery shop in Montrose, Scotland
She resolved her diligent boy should have
IA good education, and labored hard to give
him every advantage when he started in
life Whatever he learned in public life,
The learned economy in private life, at his
mothers lowly home.
In specially religious biography what a
great number of good mothers come to our
Mrs Susannah w lesley had
Ia family of nineteen children. Her hus-
bands income was very limited, but her
wisdom in managing her small means and
large family, made the rectory at Epwerth
IA memorable dwelling. Here grew up
John and Charles Wesley and many pious,
gifted daughters. Eloquence, genius and
spirituality fourished in that home, and
ultimately spread from thence over the
length and breadth of the land Great as
were the gifts of nature bestowed On that
family, the best gift was the good mother
DIR. Isaac Watts had good mother
When he was little child his pious father
was prisoner at Southampton, for con-
science sake, and he remembered his moth
Ter carrying him in her arms to the gate of
THE prison, and weeping over him as she
thought of her husbands affection. Those
dark days of religious persecution passed
away, and her son grew up, not only to
bless and comfort his mother, but to write
Esweet and holy strains for old and young.
DR.. Doddridge had good mother. He
was the youngest child Of large family.
death had so often entered the dwelling
land gathered the infant howrets, that Mrs