Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-25
COMMUNICATED.
4 MOTHERS SPOWER-BY j. 3. JOHNSON

The mind is not its own Instructor, but the
result of tuition; and when [ look far back
along the line of many measured years. all
marked by the changes of llte's hopes aud dis
appointments, see again the we'll remember
ed place where fond mothers face was won't
to brighten the spot which it once occupied.
Memory is still clear and true in its recollec-
tons Of that face; and it was as pure iu ex-
preston as it was benevolent 10 appearance.
She was lowell woman, and her character was
the sum OF those attributes that belong TO eX-
altcd human nature. When one looked upon
her, the eye was won by visible superiority
that needed no effort to reveal an excellence OF
womanly attractiveness that called out no af.
cctation to mar it. Her loveliness consisted
in combination Of qualities which were as ap-
parent as they were unaffected ; and each ef-
tort Of her grace was the quiet showing OF her
modest nature. Her physical appearance was
as impressive as her niod was Intelligent, and
she was all an enlightened judgment could au-
,clpatc in the dear association of wife and
mother. AS wife, she was a paragon of
love- honor and obedience to her husband
aud as mother, she was tender in her duty,
c0n>iderate In her consmauds and devoted
10 her affection. She was blessed with
precious infant boy, aud as the mind of
her child became more and more capable
OF moral culture, her constant anxiety was
to impress his growing thoughts with
the images Of rectitude and honor
She realized with the keenest soicitude
that she had the innocent mind of her dear boy
before her with its powers unmarked by line
of evil, and uLblurred by an uncouth associa-
ton, and she felt that the good or evil of his
future life was entrusted to her charge, for she
knew that she, Of all others, had the high
privilege Of studying her boys mind, and of
knowing the good lessons it was capable of re-
ceiViug She we'll availed herself of the sacred
prerogative of imbuiDg his budding intellect
with Impressions OF virtue and wisdom ere the
aint Of evil or the stain Of vice had time to
mar it. She selected the ten commau ments
the book of her teaching, and With them
made each part Of his uospotted mind express
u principle that was to last through. youth and
manhood. She iucu!cated picty by early teach
Eng the iusuthccucy Of human power without
rhc blessing OF divine grace and her greatest
csrc was, that she was not only to educate a
virtuuus being for the society of men, but 70
make him worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven;
and as be grew she ever told him that the
good which she pictured, and the evil she
taught him to fear, must one day rebound 10
her merit on earth and her reward hereafter.
She told him that the precepts of purity and
virture we're all the heritage she had to leave
him, and that earth's ambition wealth and
granduer, were not things to be worshipped,
but held as secondary to the true duty and real
objects of pure and useful life; and she mould
cd her boys mind as the potter forms his plas-
tic material ioto useful ware. She early in.
sructed him to pray; and when his boyish
amusements were over for the day. she would
b'd him kncel at her lap and repeat an easy
and sincere prayer, and before kissing him
good night she always impressed upon his at
tcutlon the reflection that with every tempta-
ton to do evil, there is always presented
mode OF escape. Thus this good and devoted
mother exercised her power over the mind of
her boy, and just as he began to appreciate her
worth and ere she had time to see the ripeniDg
OF the true and pious lessons which she had
taught him, she sank to that silence which no
thought nor sound, nor voice disturbs. He
was left to the guidance of the precepts tina,
she had locuIcated and to the prayers she had
gwen him, aud he grew to virtuous and honor
able manhood. He never forgot to obey the
iiJunctloDs ct the Commandments and 10 fear
the wiles of sin; aod whether 10 prosperity or
In adverslly, 10 joy or 10 grief, he loved to lock
up from the transitory things Of earth to God
TO thank him for bis goodness, or to beseech
ms mercy, remembering always that to him
had been vouchsaed fond and faithful mother
who shrank not from the maternal guardian
ship of her child, and made him the man he
was.