Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-23
About Mothers.

AS a grand oak tree. stands out the name
of Fathers" that of "Mother," as the
graceful and plant beech In the one there
is strength in both-but especially in the
atter-sweetness. Whether we regard them
from the aspect of reverence, or from that
of love, they stand out among the dearest
and most precious words in our language
Consecrated by frequent use in Scripture
they both blend, as it were, in our thought
OF the Father in heaven" For, indeed
that Father claims the mother-function too :
" As one whom his mother comforteth, so
will comfort you" What reinsurance in
the word "Father" and " Mother" yes,
these noble and darling names are conse
Grated by Scripture, and embalmed in our
rich English store of poetry and of prose.
And therefore every lover of the pathos and
the power which they contain-every reverer
OF the associations which they enshrine,
should become, as it were, a member of
great society for preserving them from the
'ncroachments and inroads of these contempt
ible and trivial appellations which are more
and more gaining ground upon these stately
and tender words, aud, by degrees, Danish
ing them to books, exles from the language
of our homes. And is not the lightness of
speech which obtains in our day, concerning
the venerable relations of parent aud child,
partly the cause, aud partly also the effect,
Of those frivolous words which are now, even
in the homes of the poor gradually ousting
the graver dctiou of less flippant age, and
taking the place of the beautiful names
which combine in themselves both affection
and reverence ?-two things which, in the
most intimate relations of fife, should never
be divorced and yet this is done in the case
of some of the names which, though some
times expressing endearment, yet studiously
avoid respect.
All, can too much honor be paid, too
much love b. given, to the mother2 He
part it is, indeed, to bear. How patient
was she with our wayward youth; over-in-
dulgent, the sterner parent tells her; but,
within limits the very faults of gentleness
are beautiful. She bears the testy and re-
belious moods like the willow.tree-
"If the rudest blasts assail her.
Patiently she droops awhile;
But when showers and breezes hail her,
Wears again her willing smile"
But the father must have acknowledge
ment contrition-very rightly only it is
sweet to see how ready the mother is ever
to give much, and to accept, thankfully to
accept. little. Nevertheless, her influence is
prodigious. She may seem to be pushed
aside, for while, at times, but she is ever
the one sought in time of trouble; the
women that followed Jesus so closely won,
surely, as their need, this likeness to him.
She paves the way Tor dreaded requests or
revelations to the father, bearing, alas too
often the brunt of his vexation or testiness
and willing to bear it, that the storm may
come broken and less severe upon the chill
Ia. H.. E,.& h..
unselfish. While the tired father frets at
his nights rest broken, she will sit up for
hours rocking the crying babe. and never
Tor moment losing patience. She is all
compassion, all allowance, for its misde-
meanors /; and the inharmonious and cease
less wall that brings wrath upon it from
others does but bid her press it closer to her
warm, maternal heart. Then the girls, al
though they cling to her, yet will take lib
critics, and give saucy answers, that they
dare not bestow upon the father. And sne
bears with the rudeness and roughness of
the boys. complaining, indeed, tnat they
get beyond her :" still ever their warm
sympathizer in their manifold sorrows, joys,
friendships, loves, enterprises scrapes ever
their comforter in their hurts and griefs
and dsgraces. How sternly ought the father
to visit any disrespect to the mother How
strictly ought he to uphold her authority !
With what respect ought he himself to
treat her, before the quick-eyed children
Is this enough attended to ? or is not Her
dictum sometimes set aside with > PiSh or
pshaw 7 Is the boy never allowed 10 come
to one parent for rev-.sal OF the sentence
of the other 7. the very idea OF such a
thing or JI which the child would never
drain These questions are well to ask