The Mena weekly star., 1920-05-06
MOTHERS
 DAY

Mothers Day is going to be celebra- ted next Sunday in city and hamlets, in schools, churches and homes all over the United States. Of course some places and some people will pay more heed to Mothers Day than others. just as they do to the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
 The Star does not believe, however. that there is any community the size of Mena that has more sons and daughters who love and reverence their mothers. either present in flesh or present in spirit. than has our own little city.
 While no steps have thus far been announced. it is probable that Mena' $ pastors and church workers will pre- pare special services and programs for Mothers Day. and that, so far as possible, red and white blossoms, car- nations if available, will be worn as the most touching and fitting badge for the day.
 Mothers Day was founded by Anna !. Jarvis of Philadelphia, Pa, although the date seems shrouded in mystery. A Mothers Day International Associa tion has been organized to promote and protect the observance of Moth er's Day in all countries. On May 10, 1913, resolution passed the United States house of representatives and the Senate commended Mothers Day for observance by the House and Senate, the President of the United States, his cabinet and other heads of government departments.
 A number of states have made it legal holiday, among these being Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Since 1912 Texas governors have made it annual custom to pardon some prison- CTS on that day and to issue proclama- tions designating Mothers Day each year.
 Mother and mother love-have been the inspiration for some of the most beautiful examples of modern litera- .ture. The greatest men down through vthe ages have realized the vast impor. tance of mother influence, have paid tribute to mothers and mother love. Napoleon said "The future destiny of the child is always the work of the mother;" John Quincy Adams "All that l am, my mother made me-" Ralph Waldo Emerson: Men are what their mothers made them" Coleridge: "A mother is mother still, the holiest thing alive;" George Herbert: One good mother Is worth hundred school masters;" George Elliott pays beau tiful tribute in Mighty is the force of womanhoodl It transforms all things by it's vital heat: it transforms timidity into fierce courage and dread less defiance into tremulous submis- sion; it turns thoughtlessness into foresight and yet stills all anxiety into calm content
 The whole thought of Mothers Day is crystalized in the following little poem by George Bancroft Griffith:
 BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE If you have gray-haired mother
 In the old home far away, Sit you down and write the letter
 You put off from day to day; Don't wait until her weary steps
 Reach Heavens pearly gate, But show her that you think of her
 Before it is too late.
 If you have a tender message,
 Or loving word to say,
 Don't wait until you forget it.
 But whisper it today.
 You know what bitter memories
 May haunt you if you wait
 So make your loved one happy
 Before it is too late.
 The tender word unspoken,s
 The letters never sent.
 The long forgotten messages,
 The wealth of love unspent; For these some loved ones wait; Show them that you care for them Before it is too late.