The Mena weekly star., 1918-05-16
"MOTHER'


 The following is in part the sermon preached by Rev. F. F. Harrell, pastor of the First M. E. church, South, Sunday morning, when Mothers Day" was observed:
 Scripture: Prov. 31:10-31.
 "The passage gives a life-size DOT trait of strong woman A picture that reminds many noble boy of the woman he called mother To many man it is the woman he de- lights to call wife
 Our homes are on level with our women; and our towns are on level with our homes. The devil first at tackled the race thru woman; and the Redeamer came as the seed of woman.
 "The author of the text has much to say about woman, and nobody doubts his right to speak; the average hus- band learns much from one wife; but Solomon has TOO. A good woman is the best thing this side of Heaven; and a bad woman is the worst thing this side of the pit Woman touches the limit both ways-rises higher or falls lower than any other creature. She blesses or curses everything she touches. Incipient Rome roted for lack of good women; imperial Rome fell on account of bad women.'
 Ut is not the picture of the gay, giddv thoughtless, fashionable so- siety belle, who gladly sacrifices home, husband and children to social pleas ures.
 Verse 1.-The heart of her hus- band safely trusts in her. Loss of con- fidenee here means the wreck of home, character and life. Such woman stands unmoved against worldly amusements, and foolish extravagan- ces.'
 Verse 15-'She rises while it is yet night and giveth meat to her house. hold By the time the sun is up breakfast is over and everyone is at his work.
 Verse 16,-'She considereth a field and buyeth it: and with her own hands she planteth a vinyard'
 "A graphic picture of honest in dustry; many home has been wrecked by an indiscreet and extrav- agant woman. But she has the same right to wreck the home that hus- band has
 Verse 1S-'She perceiveth that her is good; her candle goeth out by night
 Another picture of honesty and sincerity Oh, the insincerity of so- ciety's tongue How bitter, how how inconsiderate. An hon est woman--a sincere woman, 'her price is,far above rubies
 "Verse l9 sbe layeth her hand To the spindle and her hands h0la the disT'
 "A beau Gul picture 4 plain indu try The curse of the age is that bur wealth and competency are rearing cur boy and girls in idleness and lazi- ness Industry is Gods preserving and conserving force; it brings health to body and soul
 ''Verse 20-she stretcheth out her hands to the poor and needy
 "No hand can render loving minis tries in the sick room like woman's hand There is no voice like hers. A good woman is an angel of mercy in this world of sorrow. And when the world is so full of sorrow and suffer ing and distress, what a shame that woman's ministries should be wasted in foolish, frivolous, giddy pleasures
 "Verse 23-'Her husband is knowr in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land
 May a husband never would have been known if it had not been foi his wife.
 Verse 26-'She openeth her moutl with wisdom, and in her tongue i, the law of kindness.
 That is the master stroke of tn, painters brush. Most mouths ar, dangerous things, they are like load cd pistols--you never know when the, are going off.
 "Verse --'She looks well to tn, ways of her household How could { child keep from loving a mother lik, that?
 Verse 2S Her children shall ris, up and call her blessed; her husband also shall praise her What a mar vicious picture, and it is the picture ot a strong woman.
 "The author of this picture gives il the next verse a picture of the world ly woman. Here 1t is:
 "Verse 30- Favor is deceitful ane beauty is vain; but the woman thar feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
 'Two lines completes the portrait o- the worldly woman-"G Grace and beau ty, her stock in trade" her every thought circles and centers here.
 The greatest force or institution in the world is a real mother. Many say, I am what I am by tn, grace of God But I am what I an by the grace of God and Christian parents.
 h'it was greater honor to be tn. mother of the WaSIevs or of Wash