The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-20
courtesies to Parents. /.


pecially their sons, much earlier than
either of them imagine. Their love is q
constant inspiration, q perennial fountain
of delight, from which our lips may quaff
and be comforted thereby. 1t may be
that the mother has been left widow, de- |
pendent on her only son for support. He !
gives her q comfortable home, sees that |
she is we'll clad, and allows no debts to &C
cumulate, and that is all. Its considerable, |
more even than many sons do but there is |
lack. He seldom thinks it worth while |
to give her caress he has forgotteD all |
wrinkles from her face, and made her look !
so much younger than her years; .he 10
ready to put bis hand in bis pocket to graf !
ify her slightest request ;out to give sof the
abundance of his heart is another thing en-
tirely. He loves his motherf OF course
he does! Are there not proofs enough OF
his filiai regard Is he not continually
making sacrifices for her benefit What
more could any reasonable woman ssk
Alb! but it is the mother heart that Graves
an occasional kiss, the support of your
Youthful arm, the little attentions and
kindly courtesies of life, that smooth down
SO many of its asperities, and make the
Journey less wearisome. Material aid is
good go far Dis it goes, but it has not that
| sustaining power which the loving, sympa-
thetic heart bestows upon its object. You
think she has outgrown these weak nesses
and follies, and ia content with the crust
that is left; but you are mistaken. Every
| li.tle offer of atteution.-your escort to
church, or concert, or for a quiet walk,
| bring back the youth of her heart; her
cheeks glow, and her eyes sparkle with
pleasure, and oh ! how proud she is of her
SOD.
Even the father occupied and absorbed
as be may be, is not wholly Indifferent to
these flial expressions OF devoted love.
He may pretend to care very little for
them, but having faith in their sincerity, it
would give him serious pain were they en-
tirely withheld. Fathers need their sops
quite as much as the sons need their faith
ers but in how many deplorable instances
do they fail to find in them staff for their
declining years!
| My son, are You sweetener of lIfef You
may disappoint the ambition of your par
ents; may be unable to 30 distinguish
yourself as they fondly hoped; may find
your intellectual strength inadequate to
your own desires but let none of these
things movey you from a determination to
be son of whose moral character they
need never be ashamed. Begin early to
cultivate habit of thoughtfulness and
consideration for others, especially for those
whom you are commanded to honor. Car
you begrudge few extra steps for the mo-
Their who never stopped to number those you
demanded during your helpless infancy
Have you the heart to slight her requests OF
treat her remarks with Indifference, when
you cannot begin to measure the patient
devotion with which she bore with yourpe-
cuiiarities? Anticipate her wants, invite
her confidence, be prompt to offer assis-
; lance, express your affection as you did
when child, that the mother may never
grieve in secret for the son she haslost.