The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-04-26
good Mothers

| was on visit to gentleman's house in
the town of Huntington, and my attention
was arrested by apicture that hung in the
dining-room. II represented an aged wo-
man in homely dress. 1t was not fine
work Of art, and it boasted no decoration or
pecuiarity but that Of extreme simplicity Of
delineation, yet my eye rested complacent-
ly on that good, calm face, with its thought
full eyes and kind mouth, that one almost
expected to break into smile. i looked at
my host. He had similar dark eyes and
open brow; and without asking, / was as
sured the picture represented his mother.--
Seeing my eyes fixed on the painting, my
host came to my side, as Istood gazing, and,
after little pause, while slight mist, (it
might be gathering tear dimmed his eye,
said, half abstractedly, as though he was
thinking aloud, 4 knew she was sinner,
because the Bible says oil have sinned; SO,
of course, she, like the rest Of US, must have
been sinner; but | cannot call to mind
word or deed she ever said or did that was
sinful.n turned to him as he was speak,
ing, and his eye caught the inquiring look
of mine. He smiled and repeated, "Yes,
it's true; my only knowledge that she was
q sinner is. that the Bible says, There is
none righteous, no. not one'p "What testi-
mony," exclaimed. "0h! that my child
rem could say the same Of meP'
These words ofmy friend, a man not CIV
en- to strong, still less to exaggerated ex-
pressions, sunk deep into my heart, and led
me to think great deal more about moth
ers than / had ever previously done.
Reader, the best earthly blessing is good
mother and the greatest earthly curse is
bad one. 60 e~{ :"
Children may overcome the misery of
bad father; but rare, indeed, are the instan-
ces where they have escaped ruin-when they
have had bad mother. But | have not the
heart to write about bad mothers; il is Sa-
tans worst mischief-the mystery Of iniqui-
ty. Let us comfort our souls as we travel
liSe's journey, by thinking over some good
mothers. f.f- f.N
In the north Of England there is a band of
brothers-rch manufacturers. If the peo-
pie Of their town want q library, mechanics
institute, or school-room; II place Of wor-
ship needs enlarging, repairing, or erecting
nay, if the toiling operatives want park,
these princely brothers have not only the
means, but the heart and will give literally
and pleasantly, making the gift all the more
precious from the manner Of the giyer. -.
These generous brothers are the sons ofa
good mother, and they delight to relate her
delightful history. She was born Of respect
able, worthy parents, but early in life
change occurred in their circumstances, and
their daughter resolved to earn her own liy-
ing. She was not troubled with any ofthose
vain and foolish notions that soperplex the
young women Of our time, about service not
being SO genteelas needle-work. She pre-
ferred living comfortably with respectable
family TO the halfstaryed life ofmany dress
and bonnet makers; so she went to service,
worked hard, won the esteem Of her en-
ployers, in due time married prudent,
steady young man--above all, and amongst
all, never forgot to ask her Heavenly Faith,
ers blessing on her undertakings. She was
a good wife as she had been servant; be-
camo as good mother as she was a wife.
If her husband earned industriously, she
saved carefully, and the God whom they
loved and served, prospered them and theirs.
Some griefs were sent; the tender wife had
to resign her husband to the grave, but her
sons arose to comfort her, and called her
blessed; and now amoung England's good
and generous men, they rank with the fore
most , ,1t ...t... q. ,
A tea-meetng was held rather more than
a year age, by religious community, in
village in the West Rioing Of Yorkshire
to the surprise ofmany, Mr., one Of the
before mentioned brothers, was present at
the meeting. Though it was an unexpect-
ed honor, the company were truly glad to
welcome him, and to beg that he would
take the chair, In his opening speech, he
explained the reason Of his being there say
ing, Il take a special interest in this place,
for my mother was once q servant girl in
this yillage.u 4 He went on TO say that, un-
der God, he owed everything ofspiritual pro-
gress, and much worldly prosperity, to her
beautiful example, His speech went TO
the hearts Of all present. more especially the
mothers. 'i'i '-'.. ..,.. /. 3
George Stephenson, the great railway en-
gineer, had good mother. mall her pow
erty, (and it was bitter she was spoken Of
as ''raal canny body the highest praise
her neighbOrs knew how to give. et ArH
Sir Humphry Davy had good mother,
one who encouraged him to study; one who,
dnring her widowhood, devoted herself to
her children, and taught them perseverance
by her good example, no ts f'aa3
Joseph Hume, M. p, the celebrated states
man, had GOOD mother, She was wild