The Christian Mother.

by Maria Eliza h.o.a.re.

PREFACE.

THE following notes have been used by the writer in conducting Mothers'

Meetings amongst the poorer cla.s.ses, and it has been suggested that they may be useful to other ladies engaged in a similar work.

With this view, she has ventured to publish them in the present concise form.

It will be seen that they are merely skeletons, and will require to be filled up by each person who makes use of them. Thus it will be necessary to _turn to the texts referred to_, and to enlarge on each head as familiarly as possible, ill.u.s.trating it by simple, and telling facts.

If this is done, and the subjects well studied, it will often be found, that, although each subject has been generally compressed into one chapter, it is better to take one, two, or three heads, as affording sufficient matter for the conversation of a single evening, rather than too hastily to go over the whole section.

It will be a cause for thankfulness, if these short notes may be the means of leading any mothers to search the Scriptures more diligently with reference to their own especial duties.

Whether rich or poor-educated or uneducated-mothers all need, in the great essentials, the _same_ help, the _same_ warnings, the _same_ encouragements. They want to be comforted, both in duty and trial, by the _same_ word of promise, and to 'go boldly to the _same_ throne of grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.' It is earnestly desired that the study of the following pages, which are, in fact, only a compilation of Scripture, may be the means of leading many to listen more closely to _His_ voice, who knows so well the mother's heart, the mother's sins, the mother's sorrows, and the mother's need.

M. E. H.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, _December_, 1862.

I. IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN.

'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones.' Matt.

xviii. 10.

I. They are important to _Society_.

Our future soldiers, sailors, servants, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, &c., &c.

II. Important to _yourselves_.

The babe-the child-the young man-the young woman.

A gift (Gen. x.x.xiii. 5; xlviii. 9) which must prove either your crown (Prov. xvii. 6; Ps. cxxvii. 3) or your bitterness. Prov. xvii. 25; Gen. xlii. 38.

III. Important to _themselves_.

That child must live for ever.

A living soul committed to your care.

That child must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Rev. xx. 12.

IV. Important in the sight of _their Father who is in heaven_.

So important-that for them He gave His only Son to shed His blood.

So important-that He especially calls, 'Suffer little children,' &c.

Mark, x. 14.

So important-that He gives His angels special charge over them. Matt.

xviii. 10.

'Take heed then that ye despise not one of these little ones.'

No jewel so precious as the soul of your child, but how far more do parents often prize the casket containing it, than the gem itself!

No plant so needing watchful care and culture; Oh! neglect it not!

What have YOU done with your jewel, your plant?

II. THE TEMPER OF THE WIFE, AND MOTHER.

I. What she should _not_ be.

1. Provoking. Eph. vi. 4. Prov. xv. 1. Gal. v. 26.

2. Easily provoked. 1 Cor. xiii. 5. Jam. i. 19.

3. Brawling. Prov. xxi. 9; xxv. 24.

4. Contentious. Prov. xix. 13; xxi. 19; xxvii. 15.

II. What she _should_ be.

1. Gentle. 1 Thess. ii. 7. 1 Pet. iii. 4. Children are soon frightened by rough words, or rough treatment.

2. Forbearing. Eph. iv. 2. Col. iii. 13. If _you_ cannot bear with your children, who will?

3. Patient. 1 Thess. v. 14. Eccles. vii. 8. A mother has need of great patience.

4. Loving. t.i.t. ii. 4.

III. In your daily temper take Christ as your example.

'_Consider Him_ who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary, and faint in your minds.' Heb. xii. 3.