Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11


1t had not been for one recollection. and
that was the memory Of the time when
my departed mother used to take my little
hands in hers and cause me on my knees
to say, Our Father which art in heaven"
II is said Of President Mott Of Union Col
lege that when he was more than ninety
years DID, as strength and sense failed him
in hts dying hour, the memory of his
mothers tenderness was fresh and po-
tent, and he could be hushed into needed
sleep by a gentle patting on the shoulder
mother sang to him in childhood.
When study of such lives as Angus.
tine, Alfred the Great, John Wesley and a
host Of others discloses the important part
ascribed to their mothers in their making
the reason why God fixes by a statute Of
moral law human obligation to honor
mother becomes more and more apparent.
II. How to honor mother. =.
/. Try to reach the ideal she sets for
you. Samuel ]. Mills, when but child,
overheard his mother confide to a neigh
missions. He never forgot 1t. His moth
ers ideal became his own, and he never
relaxed his effort to reach 1t. The place he
occupies in the history Of American for
eign missions is a tribute to his conse-
Grated mother, who, from his birth. had
dedicated him to God and planned a par
ticular career for him in the kingdom of
God. Every mother has some standard of
excellence to which she hopes her child
Will attain. There is one standard COM
mon to all good mothers. Whatever else
to be good. She can, If necessary. excuse
every other defect of character, but the
child that goes to the bad breaks his
mothers heart and stamps the stigma of
dishonor upon her memory.
2. Love her. She has poured the wealth
of her love into your life. The highest
honor you can confer upon her is to love
her in return. All of the wealth and honor
of other kinds you may shower upon her
will never compensate for the lack of your
love- Don't let your love be an empty
sentiment, and don't take it for granted
that mother knows you love her, any
how. Honor her with frequent declara-
lions of your love in tender terms and
kindly ministrations, that cost you little.
b,,x
talking to his careless daughter, said: II
want to speak to you Of your mother. 1t
may be that you have noticed a careworn
look upon her face. OF course, 1t has not
been brought there by any act Of yours:
still. 1t Is your duty to chase 1t away.
want you to get up tomorrow morning and
get breakfast. When your mother comes
and begins to express surprise go right up
to her and kiss her on the mouth. You
can't imagine how it will brighten her
dear face Besides, you owe her a kiss or
girl. she kissed you when no one else was
tempted by your fever-tainted breath and
swollen face. You were not as attractive
then as you are now. Through years Of
sunshine and shadows she was al
ways ready to cure by the magic of
kiss the little dirty, chubby
hands whenever they were injured in those
first skirmishes with the rough old world"
If God has blessed you with a good
mother as he has blessed me. and your
mother still lives to bless your life, as
does mine, brighten her life and Tighten
her care by honoring her in all ways. as
she deserves You will not have her long.
Let no regret add remorse to your sorrow
when. with breaking heart. you shall gaze
upon her coffined face for the last time If
mother is "over there" honor her memory
by being what she wanted you to be.