Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-08-20
MOTHER.
BY REV. W. H. GoTwALD, D. D.

There is no other word, in the range
of human expression, so tender, so
sweet, as that of mother.
There is no other word which gives
so much strength, which inspires SO
much confidence, and brings so much
peace and solid JOY as mother.
A mother is the world in which the
child lives.
She bounds the horizon of vision
and wish.
Mother is the first word Of infant
lips, and it is the last word that strong
men love to speak.
To be mother-a Christian moth
er-is to attain to Gods ideal of wo-
mans greatest usefulness, and to ac-
compEsh her widest possible mission.
In motherheod--in Christian moth
erhood-for which she is ftsed phys
ically and morally, she secures for
herself perfect happiness here, and
the highest reward hereafter, which
Heaven can give her.
Here cher children rise up, and call
her blessed her husband also, and
he praiseth her.
The true mother-the Christian
mother-does not find her sphere OF
usefulness in the dissipation Of socie-
ty, nor in the whirlings and excite
ments and frauds of politics, nor even
in the pulpit or on the platform, but
with that modesty with which God
has endowed her, she finds it in the
home-circle, which is her kingdom
and where she reigrs supreme, envl-
roned by mighty and sacred dignity
Here her gentle voice, and her still
more gentle spirit, shape and mold
the child for honest and honorable
manhood, and for sainthood in the
world to come.
Home is mothers glory, a moth
er's God-appointed place, her power,
where she weayes for herself coronet
of undying brightness in the lives and
affections of her children.
The dignity of motherhood cannot
be expressed in words, nor painted on
canvas, nor chiseled in marble.
There is dignity about motherhood
that surpasses human conception and
human expression.
1t involves the most solemn obhga-
tions-the most precious trust-the
sincerest love-the severest sacrifice
the tenderest devotion.
Every life that was ever made sub
lime, was made so by sacrifice.
An enlarged heart is always brave
in doing and suffering
A Christian mothers life is a gospel
What she is, as a rule, her children
will be in faith and practice.
As light is useful in proportion t(
its intensity, so does Christian moth
er measure the degree of her power.
In the sphere of motherhood, Goo
prescribes no limitation for her, anc
she learns by observation and expert
ence, what the Bible teaches, tha
wears do not measure life, but tina
thoughts and actions do, and tina
every blessing is the price of sacn
fee.
The mother, by her tenderness
sympathy, and love, gains an influence
over her children that finds a quicl
response and appreciation from thei
pliable natures.
The mother makes the man, an'
she has, as her trust, the body, tn
soul, the conscience, the character an,
the Immortality of her child.
Her work requires the highest en-
dowments, the diyinest gifts, for train
ing children is the grandest employ
ment on earth, because of its immor
, tality of influence.
art thou mother! Then to thee ar
given
Gems weighing more than all the star
of even.
Guard thou the treasure with a sleeples
eye;
The Master watches from His throne o
high.
Fear thou no suffering, count no toll
cross;
+. To lose thy jewels is eternal loss. .
Every mothers life and words al
re-lived in the lives of her children.
Her counsels, her faith, her prayers
, her sympathy, her self-denials, he
tears, her entreaties are kept fresh
memory.
A great statesman, representing Ou
government at the court of Franc'
u ..T Ill -, :,