The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-15
Ghildren's Column.
For the Central Presbyterian.
A Mothers Influence.

There is beautiful little Sunday
School hymn beginning, II ought to love
my mother, she loved me long ago.
Until to-day, had not heard that hymn
since was little child and had learned
it at my mothers knee / have grown
old since then and that sainted mother
has gone home to that rest above To-
day when l heard the children singing
those same words the thoughts of other
years came rushing to my memory and
filled my eyes with tears. The influence
Of my own mothers Christian character
and her life which was living example
of her belief was not without its effects
on me. And, it is always so the in
huence of mothers pious training will
surely be blessed of God, even though
sometimes the children of parents, emf
nent by their piety seem likely for time
to bring, by their waywardness, the gray
hairs of loving mother and fond father,
in sorrow to the grave.
A young man was addicted to the
moderate use of Intoxicating drinks.
Had you told him he would ever get
drunk, doubtless with insulted feelings
would he have replied to you, Is thy
servant dog that he should do this
thing" Time wore on and little by lit
tie the habit grew until one day he was
brought home to his mother in drunken
stupor. Think of that mothers anguish
at seeing her son in this condition But
her faith failed not she knew in whom
see had believed and that God doeth all
things we'll. After her son had recovered
she took him aside and having prayed to
Almighty God to reclaim her wandering
one she said to him, "My son, stop and
think when you drink again that you are
drinking to your eternal destruction"
Her influence over him was as strong
as ever, and these words from her were
enough. From that moment to the day
Of his death he never put the wine cup
to his lips again.
when was little boy and went off
to school," said an eminent divine, az
had my first genuine trial and moral
fight. Four Of us boys were in the same
room and the rest of them were older
than was. When night came and it was
time to go to bed, | was doubtful whether
to kneel down and say my prayers.
The other boys did not but simply I'M
dressed and jumped into bed Just then
my mothers parting words, My son,
you have no earthly father, but promise
me that, no matter what others may do,
you will kneel down every night and
pray to your Father in Heaven, came to
my mind, and I fell upon my knees
and tried to pray. 1 could think of
nothing and could say nothing but
"God be merciful to ne sinnerl"
Boys, don't be ashamed to pray. 1t is a
mistaken notion that so many young
boys AID men have who think it manly
and big to pretend to disregard religion.
They dom mean it really, and apart from
being hypocritical, they show how little
sense they have.
Not long ago'I was staying with an
old bachelor: we occupied the same
room. Before retiring he knelt down by
his bedside and poured out his soul to
God in prayer. When he arose l could
not help taking him by the hand and
giving him hearty shake. 1t did my
heart good to see this old man bow like
a child before the throne of the Heavenly
Grace
He told me his mother had taught him
to do so, and he moreover said he had
never seen her do nor heard her say any
thing inconsistent with her Christian
profession during her whole life
What glorious tribute to mothers
memory Have any of you, dear chill
dren, kind and loving mothers? Love,
honor, and obey them, for if they are
taken from you there is no one who can
fill their place. Young men, who are en-
tering the battle of life, where tempta-
tons allure and you are about to enter
upon some unhallowed sport, stop and
think would my mother approve of
this?
Little children you, who sometimes
think your mother is unkind, remember
she is older and wiser than you, and that
it is for your own good when she denies
YOU anything.
Never answer your mother rudely, for
it wounds the spirit that loves you and
remorse will some day come to you for it,
and then think of the pain it causes her,
for we are told How sharper than a SER
penis tooth it is to have thankless
child
Remember then to love and cherish
her who bore you, and your Heavenly
Father will bless you, for he has promised
it in His Holy Word, and we know that
He will do SO for with Him there is no
variableness neither shadow of turning.
G. T. g