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Cause in Vermont
569
been one efficient, thorough laborer, fully qualified to keep up all
parts of the work, in Vermont.
Brother and Sister I are invalids. God does not lay very heavy
responsibilities upon them. They need to watch closely, lest they
narrow down their influence. They have no children of their own
to call into exercise parental love and care, and are in danger of
becoming narrow, selfish, and notional in their views and feelings.
All these things have a bad influence upon the cause of God. They
should labor to keep their minds elevated above themselves and
should not make themselves a criterion for others. Those who have
no children of their own to share their thoughts and labor, and to
call for the exercise of forbearance, patience, and love, should guard
themselves lest their thoughts and labor center upon themselves.
They are poorly qualified to instruct parents as to the training of
their children, for they have not had experience in this work. Yet in
very many cases those who have no children are the most ready to
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instruct those who have, when, at the same time, the former make
children of themselves in many respects. They cannot be turned out
of a certain course, and they require even more patience exercised
toward them than children do. It is selfish to have a certain course
marked out and pursue this course to the inconvenience of others.
It is little things which test the character. It is the unpretend-
ing acts of daily self-denial, with cheerfulness and gentleness, that
God smiles upon. We should not live for ourselves, but for oth-
ers. We should be a blessing by our forgetfulness of self and our
thoughtfulness of others. We should cherish love, forbearance, and
fortitude.
Very few realize the benefits of the care, responsibility, and ex-
perience that children bring to the family. Many have large families
coming up without discipline; the parents are neglecting a precious
trust and sacred duty, which, if faithfully performed in the fear of
God, would obtain, not only for their children, but for themselves, a
fitness for the kingdom of heaven. But a childless house is a desolate
place. The hearts of the inmates are in danger of becoming selfish,
of cherishing a love for their own ease, and consulting their own
desires and conveniences. They gather sympathy to themselves, but
have little to bestow upon others. Care and affection for depen-
dent children removes the roughness from our natures, makes us