The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-02-07
A WORD TO MOTHERS.

Is there a more responsible posi-
ton on earth than the one Of mother
hood9 In all earnestness we would
ask this question of every mother
and would have her take it into seri-
GUS consideration, whether she is full
filling her duties as queen of the
household and the layer of the foun-
dationstone of the great temple Of
humanity.
Is she making herself strong and
healthy in body and mind, so that
she may give her children their
rightful inheritance Of sound minds
in healthy bodies? Is she studying
hygiene so that she may rear her
children in accordance with the laws
of health?
Is she studying a good moral code
so that she may implant germs Of
truth, honesty and virtue in tender
mind that is to grow as she bends it
and be formed after the model of her
own self, which is ever before it as a
guide and standard of perfectionP
Does she comprehend the fact that
any dereliction from the straight line
of truth and honor will be copied by
the little miniature edition of her.
self
If she deceives or swerves from
square truthfulness, the child with
its quick perception and earnest i'm
itativeness will surely become un-
true in its natnre. If the mother is
low, coarse and vulgar, the child will
not become refined, good and gen.
tie. If she uses incorrect, ungram-
matical language, her child will not
talk correctly; years of culture in
schools will fail to eradicate early
home training, because it is there
the foundation is laid of all the
future structure.
Let our mothers be wise, good and
learned; they above all others need
to study and learn all they can, for
they are the first teachers and nat
ural guide of the young.
Perhaps many weary, over-work-
ed woman may say she has no time
to read, to study or to learn. But
she must take time, let her work less
in variety, sew less and do less of
other unimportant work; a neat clean
house is always desirable, but neat,
clean mind more so. A mind clear
of the weeds of ignorance; fretfulness
ill humor and all that is causative
of unhappiness is treasure well
worth the working for.
A mother must not allow herself
to become mere household machine
and drudge; she must be thoughtful
provident and painstaking in doing
the absolute necessaries of her home
work, but always devote some hour
of the twenty-four to improve her
mind; she must be always growing;
she must keep up with the times;
she must read thoroughly at least
one good newspaper a week.
A mother who does not keep up
to her children in growth and i'm
provement, and if possible a little
ahead of them, never wins their full
respect or become what she should
be, perfect example.
Above all do MOI overwork-do
not become dragged out and lose all
heart for recreative pleasures and
amusements. Make life one long
panorama of work, of play, of study,
of culture, of tastefulness and moral
goodness and happiness. Whose
does this will find herself a good
mother and well fitted to sit as queen
of the household, and enthroned in
the hearts of all her gladstone and
joyous subjects.
"Then pleasant as the morning light,
In peace shall pass her days
And hearts-aproving conscious Joy
illuminate her ways"
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