The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-10-28
The Mothers Last Lesson.

"Wlll you please learn me my verse,
mama, and then kiss ME, and bid me good
night !'' said little Roger II, as he
opened the door and peeped cautiously in
to the chamber of his sick mother, 81 am
very sleepy, 5ut no one has heard me say
my prayer"
Mrs. was very ill, indeed, her
attendant believed her to be dying. She
sat propped up with pillows, and struggling
for breath-her lips were white-her eye
was growing dull and glazed, and the pur-
pie blood was settling at the ends of her
cold attenuated fingers. She was widow
and little Rodger was her only, her darling
child. Every night he had been in the
habit of fcoming into her room and sitting
upon her lap, or kneeling by her side, while
she repeated to him passages from Gods
Holy Word, or related to him stories of the
wise and good men spoken of in its pages
She had been in delicate health for many
years, but never too i'll too learn little Rod
ger his verse and hear his prayer.
"Hush hush p said lady who was
watching beside her couch; "you dear
mamma is too i'll to hear you say your
prayers tonight. Twill put you in bed"
and as she said this she came forward and
laid her hand gently upon his arm, as tho
she would lead him from the room. Rod
ger began to sob as if his little heart would
break.
Il cannot 90 to bed without saying my
prayers; indeed, cannot"
The ear of the dying mother caught the
sound. Although she had been insensible
to nearly everything transpiring around
her, the sounds of her darling's sobs arous-
ed her from her stupor, and turning to a
friend, she desired her to bring him to
her couch and lay him on her bosom. Her
request was granted, and the child's rosy
cheek and golden head nestled beside the
pale cold face of his dying mother. Alas,
poor fellow how little did he realize then
the irreparable loss which he was soon to
sustain
Roger, my son, my darling child" :"
said the mother, "repeat the verse after me
and never, neoer forget it. When ,my .ta-
ther and mother .torsake me, the Lord shall
take me up.'" The child repeated it dis
tinctIy, and said his little prayer. He
then kissed the cold, almost rigid lips
before him, and went quietly to his little
couch.
When he arose in the morning,he sought
as usual, his mothers room, but he found
her cold and still. That was her last les
son. lie has never forgotten it he pro-
badly never will! He has grown to be a
mana gOOd man-and now occupies a
post of much honor and distinction in
Massachusetts. | never could look upon
him without thinking about the faith so
beautifully exhibited BY his dying mother.
1t was not misplaced. The Lord has tax
en- her darling up.
My little reader, if -ou have God for
your friend, you need never fear; father
and mother may forsake you-the world
may seem to you like dreary waste, full
of pitfalls and thorns-but He can bring
you safely through the trials, and give you
at last golden harp and snowy robe, like
those the purified veal in heaven He can
even surround your death-bed by angel
visitants. lie is all pwerful-and ever
present help in time trouble. Will you
not, then, seek His friendship and keep
His commandments