The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-05-26
TALKS TO MOTHERS.
BY LUCY AGNES HAYES.

love children. This is my excuse for talking to mothers. As a friend of mine-a poet-says: "There is something so sweet and lovable in lit- tie children that we-parents and teachers-long to keep the sweetness that God has breathed into them in- violate SO that it may not lose one iota of its fragrance, even though for the selfish reason that it may refresh our own tired souls."
 A child How much lover of chil- dren sees in those two words. To a sour old bachelor they mean destruc- tion of peace, quiet and study-all that sour old bachelors love. To a mother or 8 true teacher they mean ineffable happiness to ones self-inde- scribable possibilities
 And yet a tired mother often for gets the comfortable possibilities when her family of four rollicking boys have their childish quarrels just on her busiest day! When Jack comes home with some homeless, wandering canine trotting contentedly at his heels when Tom comes in with hole in his best trousers made by climbing trees; when Dick has had a row with the minister's son and the minister calls in to "pray with her" over the irrepressible Dick; and when Hal, who almost broke his neck last week on a velocipede, declares that boat on the river is essential to life!
 Yes, she feels "like fiying;" but if she is sensible woman she neither flies herself nor sends anything else flying.
 The authorities say that nine- tenths of the insane people of this country are so through giving way to their feelings"
 I beg of you, mothers, have patience with the children. Enter into their lives. They are so trustful. Get their trust: you also have their obedience
 Respect yourself too much to give away to impatience or anger before your child. Respect the child's soul and God too much to be a living bad example for your darling's copying.
 I heard child say to his brother when their mother was threatening them, Don't cry, Charlie, ma don't mean it." Pve seen child of ten years completely conquer his mother. She was lovely woman, highly edu- cated, but weak and indulgent. Her child's will was stronger than her own. Now, when I see these things I mourn for the children. I feel that justice is no longer on the earth. Are such women fit to bear the name of mother? 1 feel that an unnatural slaughter of innocents by mothers is going on around us, and I protest against it.
 Do not be frightened, dear mothers, but bear with me for loves sake.
 A plant is given you. You choose the best possible conditions for its growth: sunny window, good earth, water and air.
 A child-a more precious plant is entrusted to you: an tnamortelle to testify for or against you at the judg- ment.
 Do you see to it that the house that holds it is sunny with the light of heaven and the smile of your counte- nance? Sunny with love which means self-sacrifice, reading of the future and trust in God?
 Do you see to it that the fields sur- round your child if possible?
 Do you see to it that Gods fresh air comes into your house daily and nightly and that it is not tainted by foulness of thought, word nor deed?
 Are the conditions favorable for the growth of your child2
 If these are favorable the bugs and worms in the shape of little sins come and must be destroyed.
 Are you on the lookout for themp Do you see to it that they are nipped before they SOW the seeds of disease and death?
 Begin to train your child when it is in the cradle, but use common sense in the training.
 After all, it comes to this: mothers undertake Gods work and no help but the help of God svsils them. I thought I could write pretty "talk" to the dear mothers who read the Journal, but I acknowledge fail ure. My pen cannot flourish its let ters when my heart is sorrowful over the cries of the children for bread and To! stones are given them.-Ladies' Home Journal.