188
The Adventist Home
materially affects the mind and disposition, she should be very careful
in that particular, eating that which is nourishing but not stimulating,
that her nerves may be calm and her temper equable. She will then
find it easier to exercise patience in dealing with the varying tenden-
cies of her children and to hold the reins of government firmly yet
affectionately
To Radiate Sunshine Under All Circumstances—The mother
can and should do much toward controlling her nerves and mind when
depressed; even when she is sick, she can, if she only schools herself,
be pleasant and cheerful and can bear more noise than she would once
have thought possible. She should not make the children feel her
infirmities and cloud their young, sensitive minds by her depression of
spirits, causing them to feel that the house is a tomb and the mother’s
room the most dismal place in the world. The mind and nerves gain
tone and strength by the exercise of the will. The power of the will in
many cases will prove a potent soother of the nerves. Do not let your
children see you with a clouded brow
To Regard the Esteem of Husband and Children—Sisters,
when about their work, should not put on clothing which would make
them look like images to frighten the crows from the corn. It is more
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gratifying to their husbands and children to see them in a becoming,
well-fitting attire than it can be to mere visitors or strangers. Some
wives and mothers seem to think it is no matter how they look when
about their work and when they are seen only by their husbands and
children, but they are very particular to dress in taste for the eyes of
those who have no special claims upon them. Is not the esteem and
love of husband and children more to be prized than that of strangers
or common friends? The happiness of husband and children should be
more sacred to every wife and mother than that of all others
Wear clothing that is becoming to you. This will increase the
respect of your children for you. See to it that they, too, are dressed in a
becoming manner. Do not allow them to fall into habits of untidiness
Not to Be in Bondage to Public Opinion—Too often mothers
show a morbid sensitiveness as to what others may think of their
4
Pacific Health Journal, May, 1890
.
5
Testimonies For The Church 1, 387
.
6
Ibid., 1:464, 465
.
7
Letter 47a, 1902
.