Evening journal., 1897-05-24
a scorcH HOME.
The LASTING influence OF n Dear
Mothers hymns.


The Lasting influence of n Dear /
Mothers hymns.
4 poor peasant on the Scotch coast
had an unusually large brood Of chill
aren. seven of them boys, and little in
Iced could he do for them. He labored |
carly and late in the fields, and con-
trvcd to keep the wolf from the door,
but that was all. There was never a
chilling to spare. and the farmers life
was a hopeless, exhausting struggle
ugainst poverty and adversely.
The mother, too, worked early and
late with all the cooking, washing and
household drudgery Of the humble
home. There were many to clothe as
well as to feed. and so scanty were the
schooling facilities on that lonely
stretch of coast, that she herself taught
the boys one by one to read and write.
If there had been girls among the
older children she would have had help
in the houseworll. Her daughters were
tho Youngest of the flock, and only add
ed to her cares when she was least able
to endure them.
Weary and oveIworked as this Scotch
mother was, she was always the light
ard the life of the household. II was a
happy home because IL was frightened
by her cheerfulness and contentment.
When there was boy old enough TO
read a book aloud, there was entertain
ment for the family while she was sew
ing, and she taught her children TO
sharpen their wits by keen argument,
and above sn. to think for themselves.
Then, too, this Scotch mother, while
not a trained musician, had deep. rich
voice and a stirring way of singing old
fashioned humns. On Sunday evenings
the Bible would be read aloud, and then
she would sing one hymn after an
other; while her brawny Scotch lads
listened with eagerness and enjoyed
the treat so lSeenly that they often com
planned because Sunday came only once
a week
The brood of children left the home
nest one by one. and the mother died
prcmaturely because of overwork aud
anxiety. But she livsd anew in the
boys as they became successful men in
various professions and callings; for
although at the outset they were poor
ard had little education, they had her
buoyant, hopeful nature, and her fine
qualities Of mind.
One of them was a soldier. and was
mortally wounded in a foreign cam-
paign. The chaplain in the hospital
told him that he had only few hours ol
life in reserve, and asked him if he had
any religious faith.
81 have never had anything else" h,
replied. 81 can hear my good mother
now singing her Sunday night hymns
on the Scotch coastl"
Another son became n prosperou,
barrister, with a great reputation foi
learning and wit. He would have had {
larger income if it had not been for
striking popularity. lie invariabl,
threw up a case when he was convinced
shat there was no justice in it.
81 like to think of my dear old scotcl
mother" he would say, "when plea
a case in court"
Another was an earnest preacher
One was q doctor with a metropolita
practice. Three were successful mel
chants and one was q hieh-minded pub
Usher. All were richly endowed wit
their mothers courage and mental re
sources, and all shared her deep. To
ligious nature.
In many temptation and crisis the
recalled her face shining in the winte
, frelight of their old home. and th
: hymns she had sung, in which she ha
expressed the religious devotion ths
had governed her life. and the tende
, unfailing love of mothers heart
, Youths Companion.