Misconception of the Mother’s Work
183
During the first years of their lives is the time in which to work
and watch and pray and encourage every good inclination. This work
must go on without interruption. You may be urged to attend mothers’
meetings and sewing circles, that you may do missionary work; but
unless there is a faithful, understanding instructor to be left with your
children, it is your duty to answer that the Lord has committed to you
another work which you can in no wise neglect. You cannot overwork
in any line without becoming disqualified for the work of training your
little ones and making them what God would have them be. As Christ’s
co-worker you must bring them to Him disciplined and trained
Much of the malformation of an ill-trained child’s character lies
at the mother’s door. The mother should not accept burdens in the
church work which compel her to neglect her children. The best work
in which a mother can engage is to see that no stitches are dropped in
the training of her children....
[247]
In no other way can a mother help the church more than by devoting
her time to those who are dependent upon her for instruction and
training
Aspirations for a Broader Mission Field Are Vain—Some
mothers long to engage in missionary labor, while they neglect the
simplest duties lying directly in their path. The children are neglected,
the home is not made cheerful and happy for the family, scolding
and complaining are of frequent occurrence, and the young people
grow up feeling that home is the most uninviting of all places. As
a consequence, they impatiently look forward to the time when they
shall leave it, and it is with little reluctance that they launch out into
the great world, unrestrained by home influence and the tender counsel
of the hearthstone.
The parents, whose aim should have been to bind these young
hearts to themselves and guide them aright, squander their God-given
opportunities, are blind to the most important duties of their lives, and
vainly aspire to work in the broad missionary field
[248]
9
Manuscript 32, 1899
.
10
Manuscript 75, 1901
.
11
The Health Reformer, October, 1876
.