Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-04-26
4 Tribute to Mothers.
Rev. DR. Nevine

1t has been beautifully said of mother
that 'she is the morning and evening
star of life. The light in her eye is al
ways the first TO rise and generally the
last to set upon the checkered life OF
men," She YIELDS power far more de-
cisive than sylOgism in argument or
court of last appeal in authority. Next
to omnipOtence hers is the strongest
moral influence known upon earth. She
has been called 1.-The Divinity of Infancy"
She can shower around her the most
genial of all influences, and from the
time when she first laps her little one in
Elysium by clasping it to her bosom, ''its
first paradise" to the moment when that
child is independent of her aid, her smile,
her word, her wish is an inspiring force.
A sentence of encouragement or praise
from her Is a JOY for day.
4 mothers look, mothers smile, or a
mothers word seem to be a small and
insigniied thing. But more mature re-
Election will bring it TO very different
conclusion. We might ask the one who
might be tempted TO attach but little i'm
portance 70 the influence of the mother
IS 1t little thing to fashion an immortal
spirit after a heavenly model? Is it q
little thing to develop infant powers and
bring to light all that seems hidden in
tbs soul-to train the ear by sweet sounds
and the eye by lovely colors? Is it a
little thing to teach the use of language
and form what is emphaticalIy called our
mother tongue? Is il a little thing TO
notice the first articulate utterances, or
rather create and call them forth? is it
a little thing to receive from God an i'm
mortal being in a state OF homage and
helplessness, and stamp on its young
spirit the love of the noble, the heavenly,
the pure? All this power belongs &c the
mother, and all this influence the mother
may WELD, if recognizing her dependence
on God the fountain of all holy infuenc-
es, she takes his Will to guide her and
leans upon his gracious power 20
strengthen and sustain her. 1t is the
cody mother-the mother whose heart is
illuminated with heavenly light and
quickened and sanctified by the Holy
5 Pirit-that can offer the sim pie, tender,
touching prayer which the youngest can
c0a prehend, and can seize upon the
happy moment for impianting truth.
She, and she only, can time ell and rule
all by that sceptre which is wrea'hed with
silk, the sceptre of genuine, heartfelt
love. A little boy when asked what made
nOn6 PHEASANT ana DeauGltQl, ana why
one house was not as much home as
another, remarked, pointing to his
mother, Because she is here!''
True, living, consistent piety is the
mothers brightest ornament, her truest
glory, her noblest support, aud her rich
est treasure. Her life should be q calm,
holy, beautiful walk from the hearth
stone to the altar fire; from the bosom of
her family to the throne of God.
1t has been the testimony of good men
in all ages that they owe chiefly to their
mothers the best inspiration of their
lives. II had rather possess my mothers
picture" once wrote the poet Cowper,
than the richest jewel in the British
crown" The venerable John Quincy
Adam once said: at is due to gratitude
and nature that ] should acknowledge
and avow that, such as have been, what
ever it was, and such as l am, whatever it
is, and such as hope to be in all futuri-
ty, must be ascribed, under Providence,
to the precepts and example of my
mother"
Sweetly and truly has the poet sung.
1.-THE sounds hat fail on mortal ear,
AS dew drops pure at even,
That soothe the breast or start the tear,
Are mother, home and heaveni'