The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
A SACRED TRUST.
TIE GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES OF
MOTHERHOOD.
It's Joys and So,rows-A Mothers Duty to
Her Child, snd n ChiId's 10 Its Par
ents-Pleasures Necessssy to Life.

Win WDom nope 10 DC piV~e"e ia f'~'"
ant touch.
The subject IS one that comes nearest
the hearts Of all mothers and wives, and
II is but a simple ouipouring of the deep
interest feel In them. and In children
as our best and greatest blessing
OF all earthly trusts bestowed by God
upon women. motherhood Is pre-emi-
ncntly the most sacred. and few of Us
realize I'm the beginning OF our mother
hood the responsibilities and duties that
Law before us Is there a mother hvins
who has forgotten that peculiarly keen
sensation OF delight and happiness that
comes to her in the first hours OF her ma
tcrnify. when her babe was laid beside
her, and she felt for the first time that
this breathing. living little being was
her offspring. her child. and that in each
and every respiration. coming as
breath from Heaven. there was full-
ness OF Divine lover How her heart
opened 10 receive and cherish this grit
with the rnspeakabie JOY. came also the
care and responsibility OF raising this
being. not only by the necessary supply
OF food and raiment. but by daily
and hourly studying. guiding, impressing
and developing the faculties with when
II is endowed. As o sculptor chisels, re-
fines and deVelopes those beautiful forms
and features out of block Of marble
or a painter Studies and reproduceS
some exquisite flower upon canvas, so
should a mother study mould. and de-
velop her child. learning something each
aay OF It's mental and moral capacities,
nclinations. desires and tendencies. and
like the painter who. with gentle. light
touches and pressure of his brush, I'M
folds all the beauties OF his subject upon
canvas so must a mother. with her bet
ter knowledge and Judgment. shade
color and develop all the good points in
her childs nature. turning them and
keeping them in channel OF purity,
truth. strength and morality, and as the
painter cxpunges the blots and defects
in his work, so must she. by gentle, yet
determined resistance, strive TO eradi-
cate any deep rooted or inherent faults
she discovers In her child IL is not as
the child is born that II grows. but as
its home influences, fits environments. It's
examples and training impresses 1t. "As
the twig is bent the tree grows" is truly
applicable TO children. for the very best
material in n child is often ruined by
evil Influences or improper government,
and a child rescued in infancy from
vicious parents and immoral surround
ings can generally he. with kindly. prop
ed influences, reared an honorable man
or woman.
How often do we hear as an excuse
offered for the evil doings OF men and
women, that II was the fault in the rails
ing? DO mothers often seriously consider
that the conduct of sons and daughters
after they leave the home roof will re-
fleet credit or discredit upon her. far
more than IL will upon the father, whose
busy life. as the bread-winner. denies
him the privilege OF being much in the
nursery or looking after the many little
details that make or insure home in
nuences for boys and girls? If he has
the time. not the inclination or patience
necessary for the work. often prefsrring
10 influence by example rather than
precept or rule, and leaving with con-
hdence the entire government to the
mother. relying upon her to train the
child In the way in which IN should go"
And do we. as mothers. rightly realize
and appreciate this great trust and
privilege?
THr YIBsT IrssoS. sFIr-CNoTHoL.
/ believe the first lesson that mothers
have 10 learn is sef-control. and with
IL that Neutrality-suspicious. We cannot
control others II we do not know how
10 control ourselves. for in our daily
lives and routine work, IL is cline upon
line" and without patience our work
and influence would not be effective, and
we would leave undone many things
that should be done. and do many things
that should be left undone," thus greatly
adding TO our cares and duties.
While IT may not be necessary that
a mother perform all the functions of a
nurse. there are certain daily attentions
and duties that she should feel a pleas
ure In experimenting. Begin the day by
personally conducting and directing the
bathing and dressing of each little one
See that the water Is the proper tenn
porature and that the temperature of
the room is suitable. for their lit
tie bodies are quickly chilled. As soon
as taken from q bath-tub have them well
and thoroughly rubbed with a soft towel.
then powdered and quickly dressed
child should not go Immediately from the
bedroom after being bathed and dressed.
as draught or sudden change OF tenn
perature from a warm to cooler room
may induce serious colds. BY all means
avoid draughts while they are being
bathed and dressed. During the day
keep your little ones. as much as pos
sibie. under your supervision, If not
immeditely in yur presence. 1t re-
qures very little of your physical or
mental strength and you will be ablfn-
dainty rewarded for both strength and
time thus expended. AZ certain hour.
and an early one. every evening have |
their supper served. then so with them |
10 the nursery. for II Is now the "chil-
dren's hour. give that personal care TO |
their going TO bed that you do TO the |
morning toilet, and after they are safely |
tucked In bed, with sufficient covering. |
neither too much or too little. and sufii- |
cient ventilation. let gentle sleep. ma |
lures soft nurse, come amidst pleasant |
thoughts"
See that all the clothing worn during |
the day Is hung whore il will be well |
aired. and kept dry. free from the /
nights dampness The little STOCKINGS |
should also be hung up or laid by. that |
the moisiened feet may dry. for If they |
are rolled up or tucked into the shoes |
they VIII be damp when put on IN the /
morning. child should not sleep in |
any garment worn during the day After /
all these little details are superintended
and accomplished. then comes the rest
ful quiet hours OF the evening 10 the
mother and perhaps a very tired moth
er. who has been worried and pressed
by many duties during the day. but her
rest Is all the sweeter and all the more
restful from the consC ioUsness that they
have been well and faithfully performed.
and there is no Juggling at her heart
strings by the knowledge Of some neglect
some duty left undone. Then comes that
pleasure inexpressible. az she draws her
chair beside the husband and recounts
10 him OF the innocent prattle she has
been following during the day, or the
line of study. which they mutually en-
JOY. Is taken up and followed with