The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1895-07-25
w. c. T. u. COLUMN.
The Origin OfMOthers Meetings in the
w. T.. T.U.

us Oa IL Oe
The mothers meetings of today are
the lineal descendants of the maternal
associations Of fifty years ago. The
first maternal association of which we
have been able to find record was
organized in Braintree, Mass, 10y the
girl wife of Richard S. Storrs, over
sixty years ago. She was but nine
teen when she thus set IN motion the
benefcent movement which is bless
ing the world today. Mrs. PaysoD,
mother of Elizabeth Prentiss, whose
"Stepplng Heavenward" has helped
many up the shining way, was another
lovely pioneer in this work. These
mothers and their children are bright
examples of the blessings OF God, sent
in answer TO prayer ascending from
the little circle of praying mothers
which was soon formed throughout
the land, Originating in New Eng.
land, the maternal association can be
traced across the continent and out in
the Western States by Christian men
and women from New England.
Madam Willard has given us some ex-
tracts from the constitution OF the one
at Oberlin
"The time allotted for our monthly
meetings shall be spent in reading, in
conversation and in prayer for bless
ing upon our efforts for the immediate
conversion OF our children that they
may represent Christ in the midst OF
an un-Godly world.
Believing our own example, in
many instances, to be the grestest
barrier to our work, we feel bound to
watch daily our thoughts, our wills,
our tempers, our gestures, our man
ners and our dress; we will cruelty
self. Our motto shall be: / can do
all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
"Every member OF this association
shall be held sacredly bound to pray
daily for her children, and with them
as often as circumstances will permit
"When any member is removed by
death particular attention shall be
paid to her children, or to any who
are in trouble Of any kind. One orga-
nization speaks OF prayer for a specific
object, viz That God would qualify
our children for usefulness in the
church.
at shall also be the imperative duty
of every member to qualify herself by
prayer and as opportunity allows BY
reading for performing the arduous
duties OF Christian mother" There
we're many other interesting regula
tions that / may not mention here
but their foundation stone was the un
swerving faith in the efficacy of united
prayer The subjects discussed were
various, all bearlnS upon the one sub
ject, "How Shall We Train Our Child
rem in the Nurture and Admonition o.
the Lord" | will only give few o.
the questions propounded by thai
mothers meeting and continued il
those of ,ur day:
How shall we order our own lives &C
that the influence upon our children
shall always be for good2
How can we lead our children tt
greater devotedness to Gods service
How shall we promote Sabbath OBJ
servance and train our children II
low Gods house?
How shall we train them to truth
fulness, obedience and purity?
How shall we best direct theil read
ing?
. The influence of dress upon the for
nation of character.
Mothers duties to the public schools
Add to these discussions on healtl
topics and heredity, and we have |
J good course for orr mothers meeting
1t is truly said that the records of tn
past furnish helpful suggestions TO
the work of the present
MARY ALLEN WEST.