Mothers
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duties, she will win the respect and confidence of her husband, and see
her children coming to maturity honorable men and women, having
moral stamina to do right. But mothers who neglect present opportu-
nities, and let their duties and burdens fall upon others, will find that
their responsibility remains the same, and they will reap in bitterness
what they have sown in carelessness and neglect. There is no chance
work in this life; the harvest will be determined by the character of the
seed sown.—
The Signs of the Times, September 9, 1886
.
Jesus a Mother’s Best Friend—If mothers would go to Christ
more frequently, if they would trust Him more fully, their burdens
would be lighter, and they would find rest. Jesus knows the burden of
every mother. He is her best friend in every emergency. His everlasting
arms support her. That Saviour whose mother struggled with poverty
and privation sympathizes with every mother in her work, and hears
her earnest prayers. That Saviour who went on a long journey for the
purpose of relieving the anxious heart of a Canaanitish woman will
do as much for the afflicted mother of today. He who gave back to
the widow of Nain her only son as he was being carried to burial is
today touched by the bereaved mother’s woe. He who wept at the
grave of Lazarus, who pardoned Mary Magdalene, who on the cross
remembered His mother’s needs, who after the resurrection appeared
to the weeping women, and made them His messengers, is today
woman’s best friend, ready to 196 aid her in her need if she will trust
[196]
in Him.—
The Signs of the Times, August 20, 1902
.
Some Wise Counsel to Children
Addie and May Walling, children of Ellen White’s niece, lived
in the White home, and Ellen White was like a mother to them. She
cared for and counseled them as though they were her own. The girls
were about 12 and 15 at the time this letter was written
.
Dear Children, Addie and May,
I have a few moments this morning and will write you a few words
of counsel. In my absence I would have you kind and courteous
to all who are employed in my house. Neither of you [must] feel
that you have experience and wisdom to do things correctly without
counsel and advice from those older than yourselves. I have observed
in you both a want of respect to those older than you. This defect