,,the ,,value ,,of ,a ,,praying ,,mother ,,by ,,isabel ,c4 ,,byrum ,,gospel ,,trumpet ,,company ,first ,printing #aiaa ,,preface4 ,this book has a purpose3 it is sent forth as precious seed1 with the prayer that it will fall into good soil in many hearts and bring forth an hundredfold4 ,all parents with natural affection desire the best things for their children4 ,such fathers and mothers have high hopes that from their home will go forth noble men and women--yes1 even heroes4 ,many fail to realize the attainment of this ideal in their children1 because of a lack of the knowledge necessary to bring about the desired development in the child-life4 ,the following pages were written with the fervent hope that they would1 at least in some measure1 be a help in developing the young lives entrusted to your care4 ,if your harvest-time is past2 if your children have grown up and have left the old home1 you may be able to help some one who still has little ones to train4 ,one object in relating actual experiences was that the reader might be guided in the application of those principles of child-training which1 if merely stated in the abstract1 might be hard to understand and difficult of application4 ,the principles herein stated are not mere theories1 but they have the commendation of having stood the test of use4 ,two other objects of this simple story of home life are that the thoughtful mother may get a view of the effects of certain extreme environments on the child-life and1 by observing the substantial results accomplished by a praying mother1 she may discover the secret of success4 ,the incidents of this little home story are all true1 even to minute details1 as far as memory serves one of the actors in this drama of home life after the lapse of many years2 but as most of the principal characters are still living1 the correct names have1 for the most part1 been withheld4 ,should one of your children ask1 ,mama1 who was ,bessie ,worthington8 you can truthfully answer1 ,she was a little girl who lived in ,michigan2 and she and her papa and mama are still living4 ,if1 by reading this little book1 any mother shall see wherein she can improve upon her past teaching1 and thus be able to do more for the spiritual and moral well-being of her children1 the writer will feel amply rewarded4 ,may the blessing of ,god attend it as it goes forth4 ,yours in ,him1 ,isabel ,c4 ,byrum4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,two ,scenes ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,a ,praying ,mother ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,early ,training ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,god's ,care ,,chapter ,v4 ,consecration ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,conscience ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a ,downward ,step ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,a ,wise ,decision ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,self-,control ,,chapter ,x4 ,parental ,control ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,christian ,experience ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,the ,beautiful ,secret ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,blessing and ,trial ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,surprise ,party ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,leroy's ,healing ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,explaining the ,divine ,life ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,temptations ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,answers to ,prayer ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,lost in the ,woods ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,novel-,reading ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,glad ,tidings ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,the ,meetings ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,bessie ,sees ,her ,duty ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,reverie ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,a ,plea to ,mothers ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,parental ,duty ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,useful ,hints ,,the ,,value ,,of ,a ,,praying ,,mother ,,chapter ,i4 ,,two ,,scenes4 ,how delightful to step into the home where ,god is counselor of both parent and child6 ,how blessed the companionship in such a home6 ,there ,god counsels in sweet1 tender tones4 ,he teaches his will and gives the needed wisdom4 ,god is man's truest and best teacher4 ,james says1 ,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally 444 and it shall be given him4 ,be the home ever so beautiful1 if it is not a house of prayer1 it is not a place of true happiness4 ,parents should often commune with the ,lord2 especially the mother1 with her many cares and perplexities1 if she would do justice to the little ones entrusted to her care4 ,a beautiful picture now comes to my mind--a picture of an ideal mother of olden time4 ,she dwelt in ,ramah of ,palestine4 ,her lonely home nestled among the lonely hills4 ,she loved to commune with the ,lord1 for deep in her bosom she carried a sorrow that only he could help her to bear4 ,her home lacked that sweet sunlight which innocent childhood brings4 ,she longed and prayed for a little life to guide and direct in the ways of the ,lord4 ,once every year she went with her husband to ,shiloh1 where sacrifices were offered1 and there publicly worshiped the ,lord4 ,when at the house of the ,lord one day1 she prayed long and earnestly that ,god would grant the desire of her heart4 ,o ,lord of hosts1 she prayed1 if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid1 and remember me1 and not forget thine handmaid1 but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child1 then ,i will give him unto the ,lord all the days of his life1 and there shall no razor come upon his head4 ,a scene like this must have been rare even to the priest of ,god2 for he mistook this sad woman for one drunken with wine4 ,she begged him not to look upon her as such4 ,when the man of ,god saw by her modest1 earnest words that she was not drunken as he had supposed1 he changed his reproof into a blessing4 ,go in peace1 he said1 and the ,god of ,israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of him4 ,with perfect confidence that ,god had heard and answered prayer1 the woman arose and returned with her husband to their home in ,ramah4 ,the next year she did not go up to ,shiloh2 for ,god had granted her petition and had given her a little son4 ,her husband was willing for her to remain at home1 but he cautioned her not to forget her promise to the ,lord4 ,he feared1 perhaps1 that the mother might become so attached to her child that she would be unwilling to part with him as she had promised4 ,his warning was unnecessary4 ,as soon as ,samuel 7for this is what the mother named her son7 was old enough to be useful1 she took him to the house of ,god and presented him to the ,lord4 ,it must have sounded to the aged priest 7who soon would have to cease his work upon earth7 like a voice from heaven1 when the happy mother1 pointing to her child1 said3 ,for this child ,i prayed2 and the ,lord hath given me my petition which ,i asked of him3 therefore also ,i have lent him to the ,lord2 as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the ,lord4 ,again the mother prays2 this time not in sorrow1 but from a heart filled with thanksgiving4 ,she feels no regret because of her vow4 ,her child became a great blessing to many people1 and the ,lord gave her other sons and daughters to cheer her heart4 ,by reading the story we find that the child ,samuel grew and was in favor both with the ,lord and also with men4 ,why was this8 ,in answer to his devoted mother's prayer1 the ,holy ,spirit hovered over that child1 shielding him from the cruel darts and arrows of the enemy4 ,he had been taught the ways of the ,lord from his cradle and his life was fully consecrated to ,god4 ,a different scene comes before me now--a scene that brings a shudder4 ,upon a ship sailing along the shores of ,france were a man and his wife on their way to join a band of villainous people in ,india4 ,being on a secret mission1 they traveled slowly and carefully4 ,it was a tedious and dangerous journey4 ,one stormy day1 on the ,bay of ,biscay1 a child was born to them4 ,no loving welcome from the lips of a prayerful parent awaited this poor little innocent child2 instead1 curses were his portion1 and1 by the order of his mother1 he was cast aside in a pile of rubbish to die4 ,by chance the father passed that way and1 finding his child's poor little perishing form1 picked it up1 took it to his wife1 and commanded her to see that it was cared for4 ,as the child grew and developed in this atmosphere of sin and degradation1 is it strange that he partook of his parents' nature and developed even worse habits than they8 ,unless the proper home influence is thrown around a child1 he can not help suffering from the inherited sins of his parents4 ,when this child became a man1 he knew nothing of virtue and honesty4 ,his life was enveloped in a shroud of darkest crimes4 ,leaving ,india1 he went to ,europe and from there sailed to ,america4 ,each year found him better acquainted with court proceedings and prison walls4 ,it was a common thing for him to break into a man's house and steal every valuable that he could find4 ,i recently met this man and heard from his own lips the dark story of his life4 ,as he was relating an account of a desperate burglary1 ,i asked him what he would have done if the man of the house had awakened4 ,please do not ask me4 he answered4 ,i was always armed1 and a man's life was no more to me than a dog's4 ,there are scenes that ,i can not1 ,i dare not1 recall1 for ,i am a changed man now4 ,thank ,god1 he is a changed man4 ,he had not been too vile for ,god to find4 ,jesus had cleansed his heart from all desire to do evil4 ,having confessed his crimes and given himself up to be punished1 he had been sent to prison1 but because of good behavior had been soon pardoned4 ,he is now spending his life among the lower class1 whom he understands so well and pities so much1 trying to show them the way of salvation4 ,note the atmosphere that surrounded the cradle of each of the babes of whom we have been speaking4 ,in the first home we find prayer1 love1 hope1 and tenderness2 in the last1 sin1 hatred1 crime1 and villainy4 ,oh that mothers everywhere would take warning6 ,if only these two pictures could be framed and hung in the recesses of every mother's heart where they might teach their silent lesson6 ,if only mothers might see how powerful for good or evil is their influence2 how the affections and the mental powers may be moulded by prayer and maternal love1 and how the groundwork for the future of the child may be laid in its early training6 ,a sensible mother has a charm and wields an influence that takes a fast hold on the hearts of those who are dear to her4 ,the kindly sympathy of youth1 the deep affection of manhood1 can be traced to influences that began at mother's knee4 ,what true1 prayerful mother does not feel as her child closely nestles to her bosom that she is invested with a divine1 mysterious power1 an influence which she can not understand8 ,then it is that she sees her imperfections and longs for wisdom to know how to guide her child4 ,god alone can supply that understanding4 ,she is her child's book of wisdom1 love1 and1 beauty1 but she should be of ,god's writing4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,a ,,praying ,,mother4 ,still another mother comes before my mind--an earnest1 zealous1 pious mother1 who fashioned her life and example continually by ,god's ,word and endeavored daily to teach her children the deep truths of salvation in language so simple that they could understand1 to seek out the causes of their failures and discouragements1 and to give them timely advice and instruction4 ,as ,i trace a few of her experiences1 which are all true incidents1 ,i trust they may sink into some perplexed mother's heart and enable her to wield the instruments of love and prayer about her darlings and to be more able to guide their tender hearts in the right course4 ,mrs4 ,worthington lived in the great city of ,chicago1 in a small cottage on ,portland ,avenue near ,thirty-first ,street4 ,nothing about the dwelling was elaborate2 everything was simple1 but very neat4 ,pretty vines trailed gracefully over the porch and windows1 and a few flower beds filled up the dull nooks and corners4 ,in front of the house was a grassy lawn enclosed by a picket fence4 ,here the children could play apart from the rough waifs that thronged the street4 ,within the cottage the same quiet taste was in evidence4 ,every day in her cozy sitting-room ,mrs4 ,worthington talked with her little girls1 ,bessie and ,louise4 ,in times of trouble and perplexity she bowed with them in prayer4 ,how much the children enjoyed their mother's comradeship and counsel6 ,the mother realized the importance of these early impressions made on the child's mind4 ,she had promised ,god to do all in her power to train her children for heaven4 ,she had commenced early1 even from the time she had first looked into the depths of their innocent eyes4 ,she had taught them that when any trouble arose between them1 they were to kneel in prayer and ask ,god to help the one who had done wrong4 ,once she heard ,bessie say1 ,louise1 ,i have prayed for you three times1 and ,i believe ,i shall have to pray for you again4 ,louise was not a bad child2 she had as sweet and happy a disposition as ,bessie2 but1 as with all small children1 little difficulties arose between them4 ,wishing to know what her two little girls would do on such an occasion1 she watched them4 ,bessie quietly took her little sister's hand1 lead her aside1 and knelt with her in prayer4 ,then with all earnestness she prayed1 ,o ,lord1 help ,louise to to be good1 for ,jesus' sake4 ,amen4 ,the prayer1 though short1 was effectual2 for both went back to their play with happy faces1 and they had no more trouble that day4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,early ,,training4 ,as the daily teaching continued1 ,mrs4 ,worthington taught her children many helpful lessons4 ,she told them of the great necessity of a ,savior and of his mission to humanity4 ,she taught them how ,god looked upon disobedience1 and always illustrated her talks with interesting ,bible stories and their every-day experiences4 ,in this way she taught them not only the evil effects of wrong-doing but also the sure reward of right-doing4 ,one summer1 while the family was spending their vacation in ,michigan at the pretty country home of an aunt1 something happened that helped the children to apprehend their mother's meaning4 ,this incident1 although in some measure painful to ,mrs4 ,worthington1 impressed the lesson upon their young minds almost better than anything else could have4 ,the house was situated upon a hill that sloped gradually down to the shore of a lake4 ,in many ways this lake was very attractive1 especially to the two little girls1 who were then at the ages of two and four years4 ,mrs4 ,worthington carefully warned the children of the danger of playing near the lake shore2 but1 not realizing the greatness of their temptation1 she trusted them too far4 ,time after time they made their way down to the water's edge4 ,something must be done2 but what8 ,one morning ,mr4 ,worthington noticed his little daughters standing in front of the house4 ,although he could not hear their words1 he clearly perceived that they were talking about a trip to the forbidden lake4 ,they hesitated some time1 but at last walked slowly down the hillside to the lake4 ,again they hesitated4 ,finally descending the steps of the boat-house1 they stepped into the sparkling water4 ,how dainty the ripples about their feet1 and how clear the water6 ,surely there can be no harm or danger1 thought ,bessie2 but she remembered the oft-repeated warnings of her parents and aunt4 ,the shells lost their beauty when she remembered hearing her father say that bears sometimes travel up and down the shores4 ,what if a bear should some that morning8 ,she gave a quick1 searching glance among the trees1 but1 seeing nothing1 she tried to forget about bears4 ,she might have been able to forget about them1 but she could not forget that she was disobedient4 ,her conscience would not let her2 the more she tried to forget1 the louder it talked4 ,she was just about to take her little sister back to the house1 when she heard a rustling among the branches of a tall tree directly above the path over which she must pass4 ,the next moment she thought she heard a low growl4 ,o ,louise1 she cried1 ,i do believe that is the bear papa told us about4 ,the tree then began to sway from side to side and they heard another growl1 louder than the first4 ,seizing her little sister's hand1 ,bessie hastened to help her out of the water4 ,by this time both were thoroughly frightened2 for while visiting one of the parks in ,chicago once1 they had seen a bear hug his keeper until he could not stand4 ,bessie remembered the incident and tried to help ,louise to hurry2 but when the tree shook again1 this time just above her1 she screamed wildly and ran a few steps alone4 ,when she got past the danger-point her reason returned1 and1 looking back1 she saw her sister's great danger1 as she stood just beneath the fatal tree4 ,rushing back1 she almost carried ,louise 7while the growling continued71 and they were soon up the hill4 ,in the house they told of their strange experience1 the substance of the story being1 ,the bear2 ,the bear6 ,mr4 ,worthington soon joined the excited circle and secretly explained to his wife that he had been the supposed bear and that he had taken this course to teach the children a lesson4 ,his plan was successful1 for after that the children did not care to go to the lake alone4 ,mrs4 ,worthington1 however1 was very sad because her children had been deceived4 ,unlike her husband1 who was not a ,christian1 she believed in keeping the confidence of her children and in praying with them when they were disobedient4 ,she decided to be more prompt and watchful in the future and to shield them from temptation as much as possible4 ,she improved the opportunity for some wholesome instruction4 ,from the stories of ,jonah and ,king ,saul she brought forth some excellent lessons on disobedience4 ,she told the children that1 although they might think when tempted to disobey that nobody saw them1 yet there was one whose eye was ever beholding their deeds1 whether good or bad4 ,then she knelt in prayer with her children1 praying with a full heart to that ,god who is everywhere present and from whom all our strength must come1 that he would teach her how to guide the precious souls entrusted to her care4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,god',s ,,care4 ,considering this mother's deep piety1 do you think it strange that she saw ,god's hand in everything that befell her1 and ascribed praise to him for it all8 ,after the return of the family to their home in ,chicago the father became very ill4 ,his sickness was so severe and so long continued that poverty began to threaten them4 ,mr4 ,worthington could not take the resigned view of their circumstances that his wife took1 but often gave way to complaining4 ,but ,mrs4 ,worthington thanked ,god that things were no worse and ever encouraged her husband with the promises that ,god would provide4 ,at last ,christmas morning came and found them in extreme poverty4 ,mr4 ,worthington still weak from his illness1 but able to go around a little1 came in from his morning walk very gloomy and feeling that his friends were very few4 ,this is the saddest ,christmas ,i have ever known1 he said to ,mrs4 ,worthington4 ,it is almost more than ,i can bear to know that ,i have nothing to give the children today1 and barely enough in the house to eat4 ,i did not realize it so keenly until ,i saw an old man trudging along ,thirty-first ,street with a large pack upon his back4 ,that man was surely going to surprise some of his friends4 ,how much we need a friend like that6 ,never mind1 said ,mrs4 ,worthington softly2 ,god has promised to be a friend in time of need1 and ,i believe he will care for us today4 ,as she finished speaking1 a rap was heard at the door4 ,mr4 ,worthington arose slowly1 wondering who could be their early caller4 ,when he opened the door1 he was greatly surprised to see the aged man with the pack and to find him to be his own father4 ,mr4 ,worthington had entered the house too soon to see his father turn the corner and enter the yard4 ,as the large burden was laid upon the floor and unpacked1 there seemed to be no end to the good things4 ,a turkey1 cake1 pies1 in fact1 all that was needful for a generous ,christmas dinner1 as well as a gift for each one4 ,it was a very thankful family that gathered around the table that day4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,consecration4 ,in regard to her children1 ,mrs4 ,worthington had passed through a deep consecration4 ,she fully realized that they were only lent her by the ,lord1 entrusted to her care to be trained for usefulness in his service1 and she was determined to do all in her power to prepare them as the ,lord intended4 ,in all sincerity1 she had placed her children upon the altar of consecration1 promising ,god never to let her will interfere with his designs concerning them4 ,i do not think a child of ,god ever makes a consecration that is not tested in some form or other4 ,this mother's consecration was tested4 ,a wealthy aunt1 having lost all her children and being very lonely1 thought to fill the vacancy in her heart and home by adopting a little child4 ,after several vain attempts to find a suitable child1 she sought the home of her niece1 ,mrs4 ,worthington4 ,she came with many misgivings4 ,when she made her errand known1 her niece said3 ,auntie1 my children are no longer mine2 ,i have given them to the ,lord1 and whatever is his will concerning them shall be mine4 ,you will have to obtain my husband's consent4 ,thus far ,aunt ,a4 was delighted with her success1 and she eagerly sought the father4 ,she tried to point out to ,mrs4 ,worthington1 who was heartbroken at the prospect of losing her child1 how abundantly able she 7the aunt7 was to provide for the child and spoke of the extreme poverty of the ,worthington home4 ,the mother knew all this1 but she knew too that ,god's ,spirit does not always rule in wealthy homes4 ,would she do right to let her child slip from under her parental care8 ,many thoughts of this nature surged through her brain1 and many temptations to say no came to her2 but instead of giving a decisive answer she sought counsel from the all-wise ,counselor4 ,while in prayer she thought of faithful ,abraham's trial regarding ,isaac1 and she felt that ,god was just as able to carry her through temptation or test1 if she submitted all to his will4 ,mr4 ,worthington gave his consent for one of the children to go for a visit4 ,the aunt having chosen ,bessie1 hasty preparations were made for their departure4 ,as the mother kissed her curly-haired little girl good-by1 her heart seemed bursting with sorrow4 ,she tried to control her feelings1 but only ,god knew the wound that her aunt's parting words made4 ,use your influence in my behalf1 ,niece1 with your husband1 in case we want to keep ,bessie1 she had said1 and then the great train moved slowly from the station4 ,abraham was all the mother could think of on her return home4 ,oh6 would ,god give her back her child8 ,letter after letter came1 each telling how fond the aunt and her husband were of ,bessie and how happy she was in her new home1 but not a word about her return4 ,four1 five1 six weeks passed4 ,then one day a letter came stating that they had decided not to adopt a child now and that1 as ,bessie was getting homesick1 the parents might expect her home the next day4 ,then1 it had been only a test6 ,oh1 how glad ,mrs4 ,worthington was that she had been faithful4 ,yes1 her ,god was the very same ,god that ,abraham had served centuries before4 ,it was hard to wait until train-time the next day4 ,when once more the loving mother held her darling child in her arms1 the tears that could not flow for weeks streamed freely4 ,bessie was glad to be at home again4 ,after the cold1 formal1 loveless life at her aunt's1 she appreciated her own humble home more than ever before4 ,but a far greater test was waiting the dear mother--one that would call for more than human strength to bear4 ,after ,bessie's return ,mrs4 ,worthington put forth every effort to teach her children more about heavenly things4 ,she bore in mind the scripture1 ,train up a child in the way it should go2 and when it is old1 it will not depart from it4 ,as she did not want to fail along this line1 she spent every spare moment with her children4 ,and she seldom let them go from home to visit unaccompanied by her2 but one day1 being very busy1 she let them go alone to their grandmother's4 ,the distance was not great1 and ,bessie1 now nearly six years old1 knew the way perfectly4 ,all would have been well had their grandmother been at home4 ,she being away1 the girls stopped to watch some children at play4 ,these children were breaking old bottles that they had picked up in the alley4 ,as the little girls stood watching the sport1 a large brown bottle was brought forth and with a heavy stroke of the hammer was broken4 ,small pieces of the glass flew in every direction4 ,one piece struck ,louise on the palm of the hand just below the thumb1 knocking off the skin1 but not producing a wound deep enough to bleed4 ,her grandmother1 who appeared on the scene just at this time1 examined the wound4 ,she though it would soon be all right1 but bound it up with a cloth to satisfy the child4 ,the children played as usual and then returned home in time for supper4 ,when they came in1 their mother1 who had been very busy through the day at housecleaning1 was preparing a hasty supper1 and she gave them no special attention4 ,the family were soon seated around the supper-table4 ,they had not been there long until ,mrs4 ,worthington noticed that ,louise was not eating4 ,she asked the child why she did not eat1 but received no reply4 ,on being asked if her throat was sore1 ,louise nodded her head4 ,still the mother did not think the child's condition serious2 and1 after pinning a flannel around the child's neck1 she did the evening work and prepared to attend a prayer-meeting4 ,she had noticed the rag upon ,louise's hand1 but ,bessie had laughed about the little cut and said1 ,grandma tied it up just to please ,louise4 ,although the meeting that night was unusually good1 ,mrs4 ,worthington could not forget the expression on her child's face as they had kissed each other good-by4 ,it seemed to be before her all the time2 so she really felt relieved when the meeting closed and she could return4 ,upon entering her home she immediately asked her husband1 ,how is ,louise8 ,he answered that she had been very naughty and cross and that he had been obliged to punish her4 ,this news increased the mother's fears4 ,feeling of the child's head1 she found it hot and feverish4 ,as ,louise continued to grow worse1 at two o'clock in the morning ,mrs4 ,worthington thought it best to examine the child's throat2 but when the mother asked the little girl to open her mouth1 she said1 ,mama1 ,i can't4 ,what6 exclaimed the mother1 you can not open your mouth6 ,why1 child1 what is the matter with you8 ,although ,louise tried repeatedly to open her mouth1 she could force her teeth apart only about an eighth of an inch1 and only with great difficulty could she speak4 ,by this time ,mr4 ,worthington had fully awakened to the fact that something serious was troubling his child1 and he sprang to her side4 ,as soon as possible they summoned a doctor4 ,he found that the cut on her hand had caused lockjaw1 but said that there was no cause for alarm4 ,the parents1 however1 felt very anxious and called in several doctors for consultation4 ,they found that it was too late to do anything for the child4 ,the course of this disease1 said the doctors1 is usually very rapid2 and we are sorry that we can offer no hope4 ,when ,mrs4 ,worthington heard the doctors' verdict1 anguish such as she had never experienced before filled her soul4 ,her thoughts went back to the previous night4 ,oh6 why had she not examined the child closely then8 ,in her distress she cried to the ,lord1 saying1 ,dear ,lord1 what can this mean8 ,must ,i go through another test with one of my children8 ,if so1 help me to say amen to thy will6 ,everything possible was done for the comfort of the little sufferer4 ,the little life was swiftly nearing its close4 ,even when the doctors injected medicine into her arm to relieve her pain1 she did not murmur4 ,forgetful for a moment of her suffering1 she looked into her mother's eyes and said1 ,mama1 ,i love you2 then turning to her father1 ,papa1 ,i love you2 and then to the doctors and friends1 ,i like all these folks4 ,what a beautiful testimony8 ,she had only kindly feelings in her heart for all1 even for the doctors1 who seemed to be her enemies4 ,her words were as a message sent from ,god as they fell into that mother's heart4 ,they seemed as sweet incense and a soothing balm to her troubled spirit4 ,gazing into the child's face1 the mother read of the tender1 compassionate love of ,god for suffering humanity2 she read of the depth of ,christ's love for the innocent and pure2 and1 by the heavenly smile that lighted the little face as her darling sank into unconsciousness1 she saw that the child realized her ,savior's presence4 ,slowly the tide is going out2 the soul of the child is passing from the mother's presence into life immortal4 ,o my darling1 speak to me once more6 ,the large blue eyes slowly unclose2 a look of disappointment comes into them as she says1 ,where has ,jesus gone8 ,the dear eyes softly close2 she sinks again into unconsciousness2 the beautiful expression of happiness returns2 the mother knows that her darling is in the arms of ,jesus and is content4 ,mrs4 ,worthington did not sorrow as those who have no hope2 for she knew that her heavenly ,father knew best1 and she could look up with confidence and say1 ,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away3 blessed be the name of the ,lord4 ,with the father it was different4 ,up to this time he had never had any serious thoughts of a future life4 ,he knew that his wife was a good woman1 but he considered her religious views rather strange4 ,she had seen so much error among the popular religious denominations and had felt such bondage when meeting with them1 that she worshiped with a few spiritual people in a little prayer-meeting4 ,because of this peculiarity1 he had even feared that her mind was affected2 but now1 when he saw her fortitude under deep trial1 he felt that surely there was an unseen power supporting her--a power that he secretly longed to possess1 although the time for attaining it he set indefinitely in the future4 ,as ,louise had been his idol1 his grief was deep4 ,it stirred his whole being4 ,her last testimony had convinced him that there is a ,savior1 that he is interested in mankind1 and that he is able to keep in every affliction4 ,standing by the cold1 lifeless form of his little daughter1 he promised ,god that he would meet her in heaven4 ,after these things ,mrs4 ,worthington realized more keenly than ever the value of confidence between children and parents4 ,with renewed energy she sought daily to strengthen that cord which now seemed to her almost divine4 ,her daily talks now contained a richer and deeper meaning to ,bessie1 whose understanding of heavenly things was growing clearer since her sister's death4 ,through her mother's teaching she gained a knowledge of ,god and spiritual life that would have taken her many1 many years to comprehend had she been left to herself4 ,mrs4 ,worthington was surprised and pleased to note ,bessie's confidence in her mother's teaching4 ,one day1 in answer to the assertion of a little neighbor girl that ,louise was not alive1 but dead and buried1 ,bessie said1 ,i know ,sister's body is dead and buried1 but her soul is living with ,jesus4 ,he was waiting for her when she died and took her soul away with him4 ,i am glad1 my child1 said her mother1 sometime after this conversation1 that you love to come to me with things that trouble you2 for as you're going to school now1 you can not help hearing and seeing many things that ,i would rather keep from you until you're older4 ,you'll see and hear many things that you should allow no place in your life2 but if you'll always come to me1 ,i'll instruct you so that they'll not be harmful to you4 ,when ,i was a child1 how ,i longed for some one in whom ,i could confide6 ,my mother was a good woman1 but she didn't realize how ,i often longed to unburden my heart to her4 ,father understood this desire1 and we often had confidential talks4 ,i shall never forget my gratitude when he took me upon his knee one day and told me about many dangers young girls must meet and explained how ,i might avoid them4 ,his words were just in time2 for ,i had often been allowed to spend the evening at the home of a little friend1 who1 like myself1 was not taught how to meet danger4 ,at first our play had been innocent sports1 but a short time before my father's talk a cousin had come to board with the family and attend school4 ,he at once encouraged us to play a game of cards with him4 ,as ,i knew nothing of the evil of card-playing1 ,i was eager to learn2 for he gave me much praise and allowed me to win very often1 always rewarding me with a pile of candy4 ,the appearance of so much candy in my possession had led to my father's talk4 ,as father unfolded the nature of card-playing and gambling1 a horror for them that has never left me came into my heart4 ,after this ,i often sought my father's counsel2 his faithful admonitions and tender words of encouragement caused me to have more and more confidence in him4 ,mrs4 ,worthington sighed deeply as she continued1 ,the memory of my dear father is sacred1 ,bessie4 ,many times ,i've thanked the ,lord that my father knew the worth of prayer and the value of the confidence of his children4 ,he helped me to tide over the most critical period of my life1 and ,i love to recall the encouragement of his devoted life4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,conscience4 ,one day when ,bessie was about eight years old1 she said3 ,mama1 you've often told me that if ,i'd listen to the voice of conscience it would keep me out of danger4 ,what is conscience8 ,i don't understand4 ,my dear child1 answered her mother1 your happiness depends upon a pure conscience1 one that is void of offense4 ,by the ,lord's help1 ,i will gladly explain4 ,conscience is that which causes us to feel bad when we do what we've been taught to be wrong4 ,at first it is very tender and active4 ,then1 no matter how enticing the temptation1 the conscience will warn one not to yield4 ,you've heard your conscience speaking to you1 haven't you1 ,bessie8 ,yes1 ,mama1 answered ,bessie2 that was why ,i wanted to know more about it4 ,i thought at first it was some person speaking2 but when ,i remembered you had told me that we each have a conscience to tell us to do right1 ,i knew it must be the voice of conscience4 ,when it speaks1 you must listen1 said ,mrs4 ,worthington4 ,give heed to its warnings4 ,this little story will show you how careful we should be to heed the warning voice of conscience4 ',wishing to arise at an early hour each morning1 a gentleman purchased an alarm-clock4 ,he took it home1 and1 having set it1 went to bed and slept soundly4 ,in the morning1 to the gentleman's great delight1 the clock aroused him1 so that he was able to get to work in time4 ',for a time he would spring out of bed as soon as the alarm sounded1 and the clock never failed to wake him4 ,one morning1 however1 on hearing the clock sound its usual alarm1 he awoke1 but1 feeling a little sleepy1 he lay back on his pillow1 thinking that he would get up in a short time4 ,in a few minutes he fell asleep1 and did not awake again until very late4 ,he dressed hastily1 and1 missing his breakfast1 hurried away to his work4 ,he resolved not to be so foolish again1 and for a time did better2 but in a few days he had again overslept4 ,he became more and more neglectful1 failing time after time to heed the alarm4 ,at length it only partially aroused him1 and he soon slumbered again4 ,day by day it disturbed him less1 until at last it did not arouse him at all1 although it sounded as loudly as ever4' ,so will it be with your conscience4 ,if you don't heed its voice1 you'll hear it speaking less loudly each day until its voice will at last cause you no discomfort4 ,you'll then be in a very dangerous moral condition4 ,no one but ,god can help you out4 ,this is one reason why1 ,bessie1 many people can do things that you can not4 ,satan aimed his first blow at the conscience2 for if he can silence it1 then he can lead the soul deeper and deeper into sin4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a ,,downward ,,step4 ,i have good news for you1 ,bessie1 said ,mrs4 ,worthington as ,bessie came skipping into the room from her play4 ,your papa and ,i have decided to leave our little home here in ,chicago and buy a home in ,michigan4 ,oh1 how nice6 exclaimed ,bessie1 who was still in her eighth year4 ,shall we live with ,aunt ,emma again8 ,yes1 or rather she will live with us1 said her mother1 smiling4 ,your auntie's health is very poor1 and she is tired of the responsibility of farming2 so we'll relieve her4 ,the following weeks were happy ones for ,bessie4 ,the ,lord had been good to her in many ways4 ,he had given her a little baby brother to love and care for1 and now she was about to have a pleasant home in the country4 ,she had not forgotten the good times she had enjoyed on the farm with her little sister1 and she was very eager for the month of ,august to come1 the time when the family was to move4 ,at last the time came to start4 ,with beating heart ,bessie counted the hours that must pass before she could run in the orchard and eat the luscious fruit4 ,it was late in the afternoon when the ,worthington family arrived at their new home4 ,the greetings over1 ,bessie was contemplating a ramble where she had noticed some large red apples hanging2 but just then her aunt said1 ,bessie1 you must not pick any of the fruit on the place this summer1 as the farm is rented and the fruit does not belong to us4 ,this was such a disappointment to the little girl that she could not restrain her tears4 ,as the days passed by1 she often looked longingly toward the tree where hung the beautiful apples1 but she never once thought of pulling one1 for her mother had carefully taught her the great evil of stealing4 ,but oh6 thought ,bessie1 if only one of the apples would fall upon the ground1 ,i could pick it up1 and ,i wouldn't be stealing it4 ,with this wish in her heart1 she daily watched the trees in hopes that just one would fall4 ,at last her hope was realized4 ,walking through the orchard one day after a hard wind-storm1 she spied several large red apples lying in the soft sand4 ,with a fast-beating heart1 she hastened to pick them all up2 and1 placing them carefully in her apron1 she hurried to the house1 oft repeating to herself1 ,i didn't steal them1 for the wind blew them off4 ,as she entered the house1 she began to tell how she came by the apples1 but stopped in dismay1 for she saw her mother's look of disapproval4 ,very tenderly ,mrs4 ,worthington took her little daughter aside and1 sitting down by her1 said3 ,my dear1 you don't understand what you've done3 those apples are as truly stolen as if you had picked them from the tree4 ,you must take them to ,mrs4 ,s4 and explain that you didn't know you were stealing them4 ,taking little things and trying to ease the conscience by saying1 ',it doesn't amount to anything1' causes the conscience to fall asleep and to cease its activity4 ,thus the evil habit of taking what doesn't belong to us becomes a part of our nature1 and step by step we fall into greater sin4 ,i once heard of a young man who was about to be hanged upon the gallows4 ,just before the fatal moment he received permission to speak to any of his friends1 if he desired4 ,calling for his aunt1 who had reared him1 he moved forward as if to speak to her1 but instead he bit off her ear4 ,amid the exclamations of horror that followed1 the young man said3 ',you think what ,i have done is cruel4 ,let me tell you that1 had my aunt done her duty by me1 ,i should not be here today4 ,had she taken the pains to inquire where ,i obtained the lead pencils1 knives1 handkerchiefs1 and other small articles which ,i brought home from time to time2 had she not accepted the flimsy excuse that ,i had found them2 had she warned me of my danger1 and not praised me for finding the things ,i had stolen1--,i might have escaped this awful end4' ,so1 ,bessie1 you can see the danger of allowing anything like this--though it does appear a trifle--to pass by unnoticed4 ,you may go and return the apples to ,mrs4 ,s41 who is now in the orchard4 ,the lesson was severe and lasting2 and as ,bessie returned the apples to their rightful owner1 it settled deep into her heart4 ,parents1 beware4 ,through neglect1 the habit of lying begins4 ,an untruth is passed over carelessly and the child allowed to cover up its sins without realizing their sinfulness4 ,likewise1 many other evil habits that have wrecked lives and brought sorrow and disgrace into homes may be traced to the same carelessness on the part of parents and friends4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,a ,,wise ,,decision4 ,the lake in front of the ,worthington home1 though nearly five miles in length1 had too small a harbor to permit the entrance of the large ,chicago boats4 ,it was therefore necessary1 each evening in summer1 for small steamboats to gather up the fruit from the farms along the lake and to carry it to the nearest port for large steamers4 ,it was interesting to see the piles of berry crates loaded upon the steamer from the docks extending out into the lake4 ,at such times a crowd of young people frequently arranged to go for a pleasant ride on ,lake ,michigan1 and a few times ,bessie had gone4 ,there was to be such an excursion on the occasion of which ,i wish to speak1 and the young people expected to attend a circus in a city close to the haven to which they were going4 ,bessie wished very much to go4 ,she soon obtained her father's consent1 but went to her mother with many misgivings1 for she knew that her mother never went to a circus and that she had always spoken against her going at other times4 ,mrs4 ,worthington was very busy1 but she always had time to advise her daughter and to hear her requests4 ,she listened carefully to every word her daughter had to say1 and then remained silent for a few minutes4 ,at length she said3 ,bessie1 there are many things to consider about your going4 ,you know how ,i love to have you go for a ride on the water when ,i know you are in good company4 ,i also love to have you attend places of interest to you1 when ,i know there's nothing to defile your mind or lead you from the path of purity4 ,but1 ,daughter1 there are many things in the world that look beautiful to the eye but tend to lead the soul astray4 ,do you think ,jesus would go to a circus8 ,do you think you could get any good should you go8 ,you have passed your tenth birthday4 ,i think you're old enough to take this matter to ,god in prayer and let him decide it for you4 ,go and ask him to direct you to some passage of ,scripture that will open your understanding and help you to know what he wants you to do4 ,oh1 mama1 said ,bessie1 who had felt strange about the matter1 please tell me yes or no1 and ,i'll say no more about it4 ,no1 ,bessie2 it will1 in many ways1 be better for you to do as ,i've said1 answered her mother tenderly but decisively4 ,very reluctantly ,bessie left the room1 and1 taking her ,bible1 whispered a prayer that she might open it to something that would help her to decide4 ,as she opened the book1 her eyes fell upon these words3 ,vanity of vanities1 saith the preacher1 vanity of vanities2 all is vanity4 ,hurriedly she turned the pages1 thinking that she might perhaps have opened to that passage anyway4 ,next she read1 ,i said in mine heart1 ,go to now1 ,i will prove thee with mirth2 therefore1 enjoy pleasure3 and behold this also is vanity4 ,returning to her mother1 she read the words1 but ended by saying1 ,i might have turned to that anyway4 ,bessie1 said ,mrs4 ,worthington1 those words were written by the wisest man the world has ever known1 one who had the privilege of enjoying every known pleasure under the sun4 ,but when he had tried them all1 he sat down and wrote the words you have just read1 and also said1 ',all is vanity and vexation of spirit4' ,now you have my view of the subject1 and you have ,solomon's2 but if you are still in doubt1 go and pray4 ,bessie was not satisfied4 ,she slipped away the second time and fell upon her knees4 ,she cried1 ,o ,lord1 you once answered ,gideon with a sign2 now please give me a sign and help me to know whether ,i should stay at home or not4 ,if you don't want me to go1 make it rain4 ,though simple and short1 the prayer came from the heart4 ,she was determined to know ,god's will concerning her2 and to such ,god never turns a deaf ear4 ,the next morning she went to the door and looked at the sky4 ,the day was perfect4 ,the sun was shining brightly1 and a cool1 gentle breeze was blowing4 ,just one tiny cloud was in the sky1 and that seemed to be floating toward the sun4 ,as she watched the cloud1 she saw it gradually increase in size1 and at last down came the rain in great drops4 ,nothing further was needed to convince ,bessie that ,god wanted her to remain at home2 and now her staying was no longer a cross to her4 ,she ran to her father and explained that ,god did not want her to go1 telling him about her prayer and its answer4 ,her childish words and simple faith touched her father's proud heart1 but all he said was1 ,it's all right1 ,bessie2 but you'll go down to the landing and say good-by to your friends1 won't you8 ,as she told the girls why she could not go with them and watched the gay party leave the shore1 she was not sad1 but happy4 ,she kept thinking how kind the dear ,lord had been to answer her prayer so wonderfully4 ,when bedtime came1 she rested sweetly1 having no wounded conscience to trouble or accuse her4 ,but how about the excursion party8 ,they had an ideal trip on ,lake ,michigan1 attended the show1 and started to return4 ,the breeze that had been so gently blowing through the day began to increase at sunset1 and by the late hour of their return it had become a gale4 ,but not realizing the fierceness of the storm1 they started home4 ,when they reached their own harbor1 they found that they could not enter with safety2 so they anchored the boat and spent the remainder of the night on the wildly tossing waves4 ,in the morning the wind gradually died away1 and the weary1 seasick crowd made their way home4 ,when ,bessie learned of their serious experience1 she appreciated more than ever the ,lord's goodness in leading her to stay at home4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,self-,,control4 ,mrs4 ,worthington was greatly encouraged when she saw what a blessing her little girl had received from what appeared to be a sore trial4 ,she felt that the time was opportune to plant the seed of self-control within the young heart4 ,in a little while she found an opportunity to begin4 ,bessie1 she began when ready for the talk1 ,i have some important things to tell you today4 ,i wish to speak of your future4 ,there comes a time in the life of every girl when she must change from childhood to womanhood2 she can not always remain a child4 ,until this time arrives1 she is very dependent and must lean entirely upon her parents' advice2 but as her mind begins to mature1 she should be taught the necessity of weighing matters well and of finding out ,god's will4 ,until the present time all you have done has been at the suggestion of your parents1 but it will be different in the future4 ,with your teaching1 you are able to look to ,god for a part of your direction4 ,i shall continue to advise1 and1 if necessary1 to punish you2 but ,i want you to take things to the ,lord in prayer and become satisfied within your heart that my advice is according to the ,word of ,god4 ,you must not think you haven't needed the teaching and the guidance you've had thus far in life2 and you'll need more careful training than you've ever had4 ,the point ,i want to impress upon your mind is that there's an element within you1 called self1 that you must learn to control4 ,at times self will arise and cause you to feel that you know some things even better than ,mama4 ,that is the time to remember that ,mama has had more experience than you2 that her judgment is better than yours2 and that you must rely upon it until ,god helps you to see a matter as she sees it4 ,that was the way you gained the blessing from that experience a few days ago4 ,in this way you will learn the lessons that are so important to your future4 ,there are many other things1 my dear1 that ,i want to talk to you about soon1 but you must be patient a little longer4 ,in the meantime1 however1 you may ask me any question you please1 and ,i'll answer you4 ,don't go to other girls with these things1 but come to me4 ,i'm always glad to explain to you anything that seems strange4 ,when you're old enough to desire the knowledge and to form the questions1 you're old enough to receive an answer to your questions4 ,come to me often3 what seems strange to both of us we can take to ,god in prayer1 and let him teach us4 ,another thing you must do is to turn away from bad associates4 ,avoid girls who say1 ',i'll tell you something if you'll promise not to tell your mother4' ,remember that anything you could not tell me would not be worth hearing2 for it's sure to be something unclean or vulgar4 ,conversing with such girls won't help you to draw close to the ,lord nor to know his will concerning you4 ,much less would it help you to meditate upon the pure and holy things of ,god4 ,to elevate your soul1 ,bessie1 you must become serious1 and seek only those companions whose conversation is kind1 gentle1 and modest4 ,i believe your desire is to become more like ,jesus and to prepare for heaven4 ,so1 my child1 meditate upon ,god1 and you will grow in the grace and knowledge of ,christ4 ,misspent moments are so much of life and character thrown away2 be careful to use them all in ,god's service4 ,here's a little poem you may learn4 ,it may help you to control self and to value your moments as you should4 ,,my ,,moments4 ,oh1 my precious little moments1 ,gliding now so swiftly by2 ,may ,i each one spend for ,jesus ,ere ,i see them past me fly4 ,may ,i lade each one with something ,to be borne to ,god above1 ,fill each full of deeds worth counting1 ,that will prove my perfect love4 ,for ,i would not have them enter ,through those portals bright and fair ,bearing not a single token ,for my ,master waiting there4 ,golden moments1 as you carry ,trophies on your upward flight1 ,take my character to ,jesus2 ,for ,i've kept it clean and white4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,parental ,,control4 ,mrs4 ,worthington was not only a prayerful mother1 but a mother wise in home government4 ,her wisdom1 however1 came from ,god4 ,many a time she felt incapable of giving the advice her young daughter needed2 but she always remembered the scripture which reads1 ,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth not2 and it shall be given4 ,after she had spent a season in prayerful meditation1 ,god would supply the words and understanding4 ,thus she could say with the apostle ,paul1 that her strength was made perfect in weakness1 because her dependence was in ,christ4 ,o mothers1 let us learn that ,god1 the ,author of home and families1 is always interested in the quality and the training of the children4 ,he does not create to cast aside4 ,neither does anything come by chance4 ,he wills that each tender human plant be nourished and cherished until well fitted to fill its place and calling in life4 ,in childhood's dependent days1 the parents should be all to the children that they can not be to themselves4 ,it is not enough that your child be well fed and clothed2 its young mind must be guided into proper channels4 ,what work is more noble1 more elevating than the teaching of the undeveloped mind8 ,let not the duties of life nor the claims of society so press upon you as to cause you to neglect your child's character or its education in either temporal or spiritual matters4 ,as ,solomon says1 ,take away the little foxes that destroy the vines4 ,it is the little things passed carelessly by that grow larger and larger1 and stronger and stronger1 within the young heart until at last the unsuspecting parents awake in alarm to behold their child in dreadful bondage4 ,beware6 ,guard your child every moment it is under your care4 ,you can not go as companion to your child upon the street or to school1 but your influence may attend his every path through life4 ,do not be discouraged should you hear him use a slang word1 but take him at once and tenderly tell him what slang phrases will lead to4 ,do not speak harshly1 but explain in the most loving manner possible4 ,in this way you will cultivate in him a distaste for impure language4 ,a pure1 refined nature will be the result4 ,moreover1 as that child realizes through your faithful instruction1 the true meaning of sin1 he will make you his confidant and will come to you rather than seek the counsel of younger companions4 ,thus you will be able to control his mind and to instil within his mind pure and upright desires4 ,within your home is the place to shine for ,god4 ,there is no greater field of labor4 ,a ,christian mother's influence among the young can not be too highly valued4 ,no one can fill your place in the hearts of your children4 ,another can provide their temporal needs1 but nobody can take the place of ,mother4 ,no one else can enter into the daily trials as you can4 ,nothing else can soothe the wounded feelings as well as a tender embrace or a word from mother4 ,be liberal1 dear mothers1 with these tokens of sympathy1 so sweet to your child2 and think not for one moment that you are not fulfilling ,god's plan concerning you or that moments thus spent are wasted4 ,it is only a short time at best that we can be blessed with the privilege of instructing our children4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,christian ,,experience4 ,as ,bessie grew older1 ,mrs4 ,worthington chose the twilight hour for confidential talks with her daughter4 ,both looked forward to these times with pleasure4 ,each evening after the daily duties were ended1 ,bessie might be found sitting at her mother's feet4 ,here she related the many happenings of the day and in turn received instruction and advice from the one who held her confidence4 ,here the mother taught her child the secret of true devotion4 ,she instructed ,bessie that prayer1 good reading1 and meditation are the keys to use to unlock ,god's great storehouse of blessings4 ,she pointed to the ,bible as a pattern by which to fashion one's life1 pointing out to her the many scriptures bearing upon different subjects and telling her how every modest1 earnest ,christian ought to dress and act in order to adorn the gospel of ,christ4 ,she encircled the word purity with such a halo of glory that she awakened within the heart of her child a determination ever to live so pure a life that she would not only keep herself stainless but also help others to that sacred and elevated plane4 ,upon one of these occasions1 when ,bessie was in her twelfth year1 she said3 ,mama1 why don't we go to the meetings that are being held at the schoolhouse on ,sunday8 ,the girls have asked me several times1 and ,i have told them ,i didn't know4 ,they have a minister from a distance1 and he has taken the names of all who want to join the church4 ,that is a deep subject1 my child1 said ,mrs4 ,worthington4 ,i have often wished to explain to you my reasons for not attending the public services held in our neighborhood by the different denominations1 but have feared you were still too young to understand1 for the matter seems hard even for some older persons to comprehend4 ,but ,i will tell you and trust the ,lord to make it plain4 ,my parents taught me that it was my duty to attend religious services at least once a week4 ,this ,i did1 and professed to be a ,christian until ,i was a young woman4 ,i knew that ,i loved the ,lord and wanted to do right1 but found that ,i could not always do right in my own strength4 ,i was daily doing things that displeased the ,lord4 ,i became so troubled about my condition that one day ,i went to the minister1 and1 telling him how ,i felt1 requested him to pray for me and to help me to get a real ,bible experience4 ,in answer to my request1 he only smiled and said1 ',you are too particular4 ,you might as well try to split a hair as to try to live a holy life in this world4' ,as ,i returned home that day1 ,i was very sad indeed4 ,oh1 how much ,i longed to be like ,jesus1 whom ,god had given me as an example6 ,i knew the ,bible taught that if we expect to enter heaven we must live a pure and holy life4 ,i was determined to do this--but how was ,i to do it8 ,to whom could ,i go for help8 ,most of the church-members were so worldly-minded they thought of little else than a good time1 and the few spiritual ones were afraid to tell how they felt1 for fear of their minister's displeasure4 ,at last ,i decided to seek from ,god and his ,word what my soul was longing for4 ,as ,i sought1 ,i began to see ,i had been deceived4 ,i found that as ,god looked upon mankind1 he could see only two classes of people--the righteous and sinners2 and ,i saw that ,i was a sinner4 ,by reading the twelfth chapter of ,first ,corinthians1 ,i learned that ,christ's body is the church2 that to become a member of the church my name must be written in heaven2 that every ,christian in the world is my brother or sister in ,christ2 the ,lamb's book of life is the only class-book in which our names need to be recorded2 and that our names are removed only because of our turning again to sin4 ,to me these thoughts were both new and marvelous4 ,i saw that every saved person in the different denominations is a ,christian and a member of ,god's true church1 but ,i knew that such persons were unable to worship ,god aright for fear of displeasing their ministers or of breaking some of the church-rules4 ,and when ,i read in #b ,cor4 #f3ad that we are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers1 ,i felt that ,i must come out and stand alone4 ,this ,i promised ,god to do at any cost1 and asked him to give me a ,bible experience4 ,he answered my prayer2 and ,i was so happy that ,i walked the floor for a long time1 clapping my hands and praising ,god4 ,because of the course ,i had taken many misunderstood me and thought ,i was partially insane4 ,even your dear papa thinks so still1 but ,i dare not grieve ,god by going back4 ,i have had some dreams that have greatly encouraged me4 ,the first was given while ,i was wondering why ,i could not find any one who believed the whole ,bible4 ,i seemed to be standing in a meeting-house2 the service was ended and nearly every one had gone home4 ,i noticed a woman in great distress4 ,going to her1 ,i found that she had a very sore hand and that she was alone1 with no one to help her home through the darkness4 ,with her consent1 ,i quickly picked her up in my arms and carried her safely through a long1 dark1 narrow passage4 ,as we passed along1 ,i spoke words of encouragement to her4 ,suddenly we came out into a large open field carpeted with flowers1 and there ,i laid her down1 saying1 ',how nicely we have gotten along alone4' ,then ,i awoke4 ,for some time ,i could not see the meaning of the dream4 ,at last ,i understood that the afflicted woman was ,i myself and that the ,savior wanted to carry me through the dark and dangerous way of life alone4 ,at another time ,i dreamed ,i was riding on a locomotive4 ,again ,i was alone4 ,the seat that ,i was sitting on was so small ,i had to be very careful lest ,i be injured by the machinery around me4 ,i didn't think of danger while the train was in motion2 but as it drew up at a certain station1 ,i began to consider my position4 ,the thought came1 ',what will people think of me8 ,they will certainly say ,i am stealing a ride4' ,i remembered my ticket1 and1 placing my hand upon it1 ,i felt satisfied4 ,at the next station ,i could see inside of the passenger coaches4 ,i had a good view of the passengers in one of the coaches1 and ,i recognized the prominent members of the denomination ,i had lately left4 ,as they sat in their cushioned seats1 carelessly talking to one another1 they all seemed happy and contented4 ,my own condition then arose before me1 and ,i felt lonely indeed and thought1 ',i will step down from my little seat and enter the coach with the rest4' ,i was just about to do this--even had my hand upon the door knob--when ,i realized that ,i had left my dress in the little seat1 and again ,i awoke4 ,the dream seemed very plain in every way4 ,my ticket was my experience and title to heaven1 and the dress left up in the tiny seat was the robe of ,christ's righteousness4 ,while alone and contented1 ,i was all right1 but to return to the denomination would mean to leave both robe and title behind4 ,still1 ,god has given me some devoted ,christian friends1 who are willing to live as the ,bible directs1 and with these ,i worship as you know1 dear1 in our little weekly prayer-meetings4 ,i trust that some day your father will see and will understand me better1 and that we can worship ,god together4 ,but ,i will be faithful even though ,i should be forced to walk alone4 ,now1 dear1 ,i trust you can see that the true church is ,christ's body and that every soul is a member as long as he continues to live a pure and holy life4 ,whether he is a member of some sect or not1 sin will cut him off2 and if he continues to profess as ,i did1 he is a hypocrite in ,god's sight4 ',come out from among them and be ye separate' is a command that every ,christian should obey4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,the ,,beautiful ,,secret4 ,the mother's talks about her own ,christian experience enabled ,bessie to understand the beautiful secret of salvation--an influence that was to beautify her character and to mold her whole subsequent career4 ,bessie's developing mind was able to grasp firmly the golden thread of religious truth1 which1 unraveling from the tangle of sectism1 had guided her faithful mother into the fulness of divine truth4 ,thus it was-- ,in the gentle hush of evening1 ,when the sun sank in the west2 ,when the little bird was nestling ,in its quiet1 sheltered nest2 ,when the stars were brightly shining ,from the lofty sky above1 ,bessie learned the lovely secret ,of her ,savior's perfect love4 ,in the twilight's deep'ning shadows1 ,at her loving mother's feet1 ,sat she often on a hassock1 ,hearing words of counsel sweet4 ,sacred season was this hour ,to the twain in waiting there1 ,each the burden of the other ,sought to know and ofttimes share4 ,as the loving mother listened ,to the record of the day1 ,to the questions of her daughter-- ,spoken oft in childish way1 ,she in tenderness instructed ,with the wisdom of the ,lord1 ,gained by prayer and careful study ,of his precious1 holy ,word4 ,there the character was strengthened2 ,bessie's heart was made to feel ,greater love for her ,creator1 ,for his work a deeper zeal4 ,and she saw ,god's plan for pardon1 ,to the feet of ,jesus came1 ,and was able1 like her mother1 ,full salvation then to claim4 ,ah6 fond mother1 learn the secret ,that will win thy children dear2 ,draw them gently to thy bosom1 ,ever seek their hearts to cheer4 ,from thy home exclude all worry1 ,fretful cares1 and sad'ning gloom2 ,but ,god's sunshine bid a welcome1 ,let it shine in ev'ry room4 ,as a spring within a desert1 ,thou mayst water each plant small2 ,but the plant itself must blossom-- ,thou canst tend it1 that is all4 ,tiny human plants will flourish ,in an atmosphere like this1 ,and will yield good1 fruitful blossoms ,that will bring true happiness4 ,children always thirst for knowledge1 ,and ere long 'tis surely gained2 ,if not from a faithful mother1 ',tis from evil source obtained4 ,blameless never is the mother ,who will not the trouble take ,to instruct her precious children1 ,close companions of them make4 ,like a florist wise and zealous1 ,guard thou well each blossom fair1 ,lest the perfume and the sweetness ,vanish for the lack of care4 ,choose thou then some place at even ,when the daily toils are done1 ,where life's many cares and blessings ,may be numbered one by one4 ,god will give thee wisdom1 mother1 ,to supply thine ev'ry need1 ,as thou givest wholesome knowledge1 ,when the childish voices plead4 ,their young minds1 so pure1 unfolding1 ,will reveal the secret fair ,that will prove how great the value ,of a mother's love and pray'r4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,blessing ,,and ,,trial4 ,now that ,bessie had learned the secret of a ,christian life1 she longed to see others enjoying the love of ,god4 ,she felt the greatest burden for her father4 ,oh1 if she could see him enjoying salvation6 ,she often poured out her desire in prayer1 with childlike trust and confidence4 ,god heard her prayers4 ,one morning as she was passing the barn on her way to school1 she heard some strange sounds4 ,peering through a window1 she beheld a sight that made her wonder if she saw aright4 ,there stood her beloved father1 great tears streaming from his eyes1 his countenance beaming with heavenly peace and joy1 and praises to ,god pouring from his lips4 ,what did it mean8 ,in a weak voice she said1 ,papa dear1 what is the matter6 ,turning he exclaimed3 ,oh1 ,bessie1 ,god has saved me6 ,i am so happy6 ,run quick and tell your mother6 ,bessie ran to the house to tell the glad news1 but her father was there nearly as soon1 saying1 ,oh1 ,i'm saved6 ,you're right1 wife4 ,i know now that you're right1 and ,i see things just as you do6 ,i'm so happy and feel so different4 ,oh1 help me to praise the dear ,lord4 ,let us leave them in their happiness and follow ,bessie to school4 ,her father's words rang as sweet music in her ears4 ,how good the dear ,lord was to answer her in her father's behalf6 ,she felt that no good thing would be withheld from them that walk uprightly4 ,but ,bessie was soon to meet a severe and unexpected trial4 ,her mother had made her a school-dress4 ,though neat and pretty1 it was of a material commonly used for men's shirts4 ,bessie knew this1 but thought nothing of it until some of her schoolmates gathered round her at recess and said1 ,o girls1 ,bessie has a new dress like her father's shirt4 ,another said1 ,perhaps it is his shirt4 ,the remarks were certainly unkind1 and ,bessie felt them keenly2 but she laughed and said1 ,yes2 ,i know it4 ,nothing more was said4 ,but oh1 that dress6 ,how she disliked to wear it6 ,at times she could hardly start to school with it on2 but then she would think1 ,i know ,mama thought it was pretty when she got it for me2 and ,i thought it was nice until the girls made those remarks4 ,i will try to like it for ,mama's sake4 ,with such thoughts in her mind she returned home from school one evening4 ,when she reached the house1 she saw that no one was at home2 but1 knowing where the key was kept1 she easily gained admittance4 ,finding herself alone in the house1 she thought3 ,now is the time to learn to like my dress1 and ,i'm going to do it4 ,mother shall not know how ,i have felt about it4 ,she hastened into the parlor and stood before a large mirror4 ,now1 ,bessie knew that she did not have a pretty face1 and she had gained the victory over that2 but she did want to feel that her clothes looked well on her1 and that was the battle she meant to fight that evening4 ,as she slowly turned from side to side viewing herself intently1 she liked the dress better and better4 ,at last she thought it very pretty and becoming1 and she knelt down and thanked ,god for giving it to her4 ,as she changed it for her work-dress1 she wondered why she had allowed the children's remarks to affect her so much and had not appreciated the dress more4 ,no more remarks were ever made about the dress1 and ,bessie continued to admire it until it was worn out4 ,no one but herself and the ,lord knew of the struggle through which she passed4 ,through the trial concerning the dress1 ,bessie learned several valuable lessons3 first1 the less notice one takes of unkindness1 the better2 second1 ,god's grace can keep in time of temptation2 third1 one should not murmur because of persecution2 and1 last1 and best of all1 ,god usually gives his children some great blessing before a severe trial1 and the close relationship between the two makes them almost one in effect4 ,she could now say with real appreciation3 ,a little trial often tries1 ,but proves a blessing in disguise4 ,just as the rough rock holds the gem1 ,the trial holds my diadem4 ,but a still greater trial was awaiting her4 ,bessie had a thirst for knowledge4 ,she was doing well in school and wanted to do better4 ,instead of taking exercise during the daily intermissions1 she often spent them in hard study4 ,her system1 naturally frail1 could not stand the strain4 ,she contracted a fever and for three months despaired of life4 ,in the third month dropsy of the chest set in2 and1 on account of smothering spells1 she had to be bolstered up in bed with pillows4 ,one day as ,mrs4 ,worthington stood beside her child she felt that ,god wanted to heal her4 ,kneeling beside the bed1 she prayed1 ,dear ,lord1 heal my child1 and grant that she may be spared to work for thee4 ,from that time ,bessie began to improve4 ,she had no more smothering spells1 and before long she was well and strong4 ,bessie found a blessing even in this trial4 ,she saw that1 had she been able to push ahead as she had desired1 she might have lost sight of ,jesus1 and she now understood that her ,savior cared for her body as well as for her soul4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,surprise ,,party4 ,as soon as ,bessie was strong enough to go out1 she was invited to stay all night with a friend4 ,she supposed she was to be the only guest1 but found that a surprise had been planned for her4 ,a goodly number of her friends and schoolmates were present4 ,the young folks spent a few hours very pleasantly in playing games1 and ,bessie enjoyed that part of the evening very much4 ,but late in the evening some one proposed dancing1 and the boys began to choose their partners4 ,a very strange feeling came over ,bessie when some one asked her to dance4 ,she shook her head and said1 ,no2 ,i do not know how to dance4 ,several urged her to try1 but she said1 ,no2 ,i would rather not4 ,she was the only one that did not dance4 ,as she sat watching the others1 she wondered if it were right for boys and girls to act as these were acting4 ,she had never heard that it is wrong to dance1 but it did not look or seem right to her4 ,she decided that on reaching home she would ask her mother4 ,when ,bessie got home the next morning1 her mother asked1 ,well1 dear1 did you have a good time8 ,oh1 yes1 answered ,bessie2 most of the time ,i did4 ,then she told about the surprise party and about all that had happened1 and concluded by asking1 ,mama1 is it right to dance8 ,i have been thinking for a long time1 ,bessie1 that ,i ought to have a talk with you about dancing and tell you of some of the evils to which it leads1 answered her mother4 ,dancing is an amusement that many girls consider very attractive4 ,when asked why they think so1 they hardly know what to answer1 but generally speak of the music and the graceful motions4 ,oh1 ,mama1 the motions they made at the party last night were anything but graceful4 ,i know you wouldn't have allowed me to do as they did1 and ,i don't want to4 ,it wasn't modest4 ,i never want to go to a dance again4 ,i'm so glad1 ,bessie1 you feel as you do about dancing2 but1 dear1 to those who learn1 there is something very fascinating about it4 ,some girls have said they would rather dance than eat2 and1 with a great many1 ,i believe it is true4 ,men of low character and of evil inclinations regard the dance-hall as a favorable place to betray unsuspecting girls and frequent it for that very purpose4 ,their victims are usually the sweetest and most trusting girls4 ,their beauty attracts undesirable attention1 and their ignorance makes them an easy prey4 ,o ,bessie1 there are so many unprincipled men in the world who love to win and betray the confidence of young innocent girls4 ,philosophers tell us that 'perfect happiness comes only from a pleasure attractive to our moral nature in its purity and perfection4 ,if we delight in pleasures of the other sort1 our moral natures are degraded4' ,you have noticed the immodest positions taken by those who dance1 and you feel a deep sense of shame for them4 ,should you try to partake of their pleasure1 your moral nature would be degraded1 and you would in time lose that sense of shame and be as eager for the pleasure as any of the others4 ,thus yielding1 one step at a time1 you would cease to look upon the dance as immodest and would find real enjoyment in it1 and perhaps would be led into greater sin4 ,it is in this way that many girls lose their virtue4 ,then they are shunned by their old associates1 who are really but a step higher in morality4 ,forsaken by friends1 hopeless as to their future1 deserted even by those who wrought their downfall1 these poor girls sink lower and lower1 and lead lives of shame and misery4 ,no spiritual-minded person will take part in worldly amusements1 for he can not enjoy them4 ,christians who indulge in dancing turn away from ,god and seek fellowship with the world4 ,such are sure to lose the grace of ,god from their hearts4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,leroy',s ,,healing4 ,bessie's little brother1 ,leroy1 now past five years of age1 was far from being rugged4 ,though he had a full1 round face and a large head1 his body was emaciated and did not develop properly4 ,he could go only a few steps without falling4 ,he had fainting spells1 which gradually increased in frequency and duration4 ,many times as ,mrs4 ,worthington looked at her poor little boy1 she lifted her heart to ,god in earnest prayer to know his will concerning the child4 ,many friends remarked that she would never be able to bring him up2 but she knew that1 if for the best1 ,god could heal the child and give him right development4 ,at last his illness became very serious4 ,one night his head was burning with fever1 while his body was cold and clammy4 ,it seemed but a question of time until he would pass away4 ,as ,mrs4 ,worthington looked at her child1 she remembered the words1 ,man's extremity is ,god's opportunity1 and ,the prayer of faith shall save the sick4 ,she wondered why ,god had brought them to her mind4 ,she began to ask herself3 ,do ,i believe that ,god can heal that child8 ,if it is ,god's will to take him1 can ,i submit8 ,to the first question she answered1 ,yes2 ,god made him1 and to the second1 ,thy will be done1 ,o ,god4 ,then she breathed an earnest prayer for his healing4 ,the sweet assurance came that her prayer was answered2 that the child would grow well and strong4 ,she felt that she could lie down by his side and trust him in the hands of the ,one who gave him4 ,she placed a wet cloth on his head1 lay down by his side1 and knew no more until the next morning4 ,both slept soundly4 ,when she awoke1 she saw that the child was breathing naturally and that the fever was entirely gone4 ,then she fully realized that ,god had healed him4 ,with a grateful heart she thanked the ,lord for his tender love4 ,it was indeed true that ,leroy was well4 ,about ten o'clock his mother carried him to the lake and1 having ,bessie to row the boat1 gave him a pleasant boat-ride4 ,the fever never returned2 his head stopped growing2 and he became a strong1 healthy boy4 ,the friends who had thought that he would surely die said they could not understand the change that had taken place1 but ,mrs4 ,worthington understood1 and gave ,god all the praise4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,explaining ,,the ,,divine ,,life4 ,after ,bessie's conversion ,mrs4 ,worthington's talks to her were often on the subject of the divine life within--how to care for it and nourish it1 so that it might not die nor become blighted4 ,she sometimes compared the young ,christian's experience to that of a new-born babe4 ,you know1 said she1 the little one must be carefully fed1 and tenderly guarded against everything harmful4 ,even a slight breeze blowing upon its little body1 if unprotected1 might result in death4 ,but as the child grows older and stronger1 it gradually becomes accustomed to the rude elements about it and can1 with comparative safety1 be brought in contact with them4 ,the ,christ life1 new-born in the human heart1 is just as sensitive and needs the same tender care4 ,guard it carefully1 ,bessie4 ,it must be constantly nourished by prayer and the ,word of ,god4 ,seek to become established by the grace of sanctification2 then you will be better able to meet temptation and persecution4 ,christ is your shepherd1 and he wants to lead you1 his lamb1 into green pastures and beside still waters4 ,a person may profess to be a ,christian1 ,bessie2 but unless he has a change of heart and affections1 he is what the ,bible terms a wolf in sheep's clothing1 and not one of the gentle lambs of the ,savior's fold4 ,the profession does not amount to anything when the heart is full of envy1 hatred1 jealousy1 love of self1 and a drawing toward the world4 ,a person with a profession only1 may appear for a time to be quite lamb-like2 but sooner or later the old nature will manifest itself1 for it can not be hidden long4 ,i think1 ,mama1 said ,bessie1 ,i understand you--but you spoke of the experience of sanctification2 please tell me what that means4 ,as briefly as possible1 the mother explained that the second cleansing of the heart takes away that evil nature which causes man to want to disobey ,god4 ,not long after this talk ,bessie had an experience in school that helped her to comprehend her mother's words4 ,to be put back in her studies was hard1 but to have to give up her old teacher1 to whom she was strongly attached1 was harder still4 ,her regret on the latter account1 however1 was of short duration2 for her new teacher was even more lovable than the old one1 and1 best of all1 she was a ,christian4 ,she and ,bessie not only got along well1 but became warm friends and enjoyed sweet fellowship in the ,spirit4 ,one day1 however1 something happened that severely tested their love1 but1 in the end1 only deepened it4 ,bessie's seatmate1 a girl named ,nora1 about ,bessie's own age1 was very mischievous4 ,she did so many things deserving punishment that the teacher was often perplexed to know what course to take with her4 ,some one has said that misery likes company4 ,this was certainly true of ,nora4 ,she knew that the teacher and ,bessie were good friends1 and she longed to see ,bessie get into trouble and receive some punishment4 ,knowing that ,bessie tried hard to obey the rules of the school1 ,nora saw that she should have to lay some cunning plan or she should not realize her wish4 ,she began to watch for an opportunity4 ,a streamlet ran past the schoolhouse4 ,while ,bessie and ,nora were playing near it one day1 ,bessie fell down in some mud4 ,just as she fell1 the school-bell rang and they had to hurry back to their lessons4 ,fearing that some of the mud might have splattered on her face1 ,bessie asked if her face was clean4 ,nora answered quickly1 ,oh yes2 do hurry up4 ,nora felt that her chance had come1 and she made up her mind to get her seatmate into trouble1 if possible4 ,hurrying into the schoolroom1 she whispered to one of the boys1 telling him to ask ,bessie as she passed what was the matter with her face1 but to say nothing more4 ,when ,bessie came down the aisle1 she saw this boy looking at her with an amused expression1 and gave him close attention4 ,as she passed him1 he whispered1 ,bessie1 what is the matter with your face8 and then turned quickly away4 ,fully convinced that her face was dirty1 ,bessie sat down very much ashamed4 ,nora knew how her seatmate would feel and prepared herself for the question that she was sure would be asked4 ,as it was time for the writing-lesson1 she stuck her finger in inks of different colors2 and1 when ,bessie asked where her face was dirty1 she quickly pointed out the places1 each time leaving a large spot of ink4 ,bessie1 wholly unconscious of the ink-spots on her face1 thought what a dreadful sight she must be1 and asked permission of the teacher to wash4 ,when the teacher turned1 she saw1 not mud1 but ugly ink-spots4 ,supposing that ,bessie had put them there1 she shook her head4 ,her surprise was great4 ,she felt that she ought to do something about it2 but1 being undecided1 she turned away4 ,bessie became much worried2 for many eyes were turned upon her1 and some of the pupils were laughing4 ,she wanted to hide1 but could not1 and kept wondering why a little mud should cause so much amusement4 ,one girl1 ,anna1 tried secretly to pass her a wet handkerchief1 but this ,nora quickly caught from her and hid4 ,poor ,bessie was now ready to cry1 and again asked permission to wash her face2 but her teacher answered1 ,no2 you must go to writing4 ,bessie naturally had a high temper and was inclined to be stubborn when she felt that she was being imposed upon2 but she had always held her temper in subjection1 as she knew it to be wrong to give way to anger4 ,on this occasion1 however1 it seemed impossible to control herself4 ,when the teacher said1 ,go to writing1 ,bessie obeyed2 but she was so angry that she hardly knew what she was doing4 ,suddenly she thought1 ,if ,i daub a lot of ink on my face1 perhaps she will let me wash2 and she rubbed some on with her finger4 ,but alas6 this did not work as she had expected4 ,the teacher saw her put it on and concluded that she had put the other on also2 so she said1 ,bessie1 you may go and sit in my chair4 ,as she said this1 all the stubbornness in ,bessie's nature arose4 ,she did not move2 and when the teacher said sternly1 ,are you going to obey8 she shook her head and caught hold of the seat4 ,at this moment ,nora whispered1 ,if that were me1 she'd make me go4 ,the teacher heard the words and looked first at ,nora and then at ,bessie4 ,she hesitated for a moment1 then walked over to ,bessie1 took her by the shoulders and jerked her from the seat1 and then dragged her up to the chair and set her down1 telling her to study4 ,i have no book1 retorted ,bessie4 ,the teacher ordered one brought1 and1 leaving her1 went to her other duties4 ,what a moment for ,bessie6 ,too angry to study1 she sat there thinking of the dreadful scene she had created4 ,her heart burned with shame4 ,oh6 what could she do8 ,anna1 the girl who had tried to hand her the wet handkerchief1 had noticed all of ,nora's actions and had determined to help ,bessie1 if possible4 ,on pretext of looking up a word in the dictionary1 ,anna went forward1 laid a wet rag where ,bessie could reach it1 and returned to her seat4 ,bessie eagerly took the rag and rubbed her face4 ,she was surprised to see the different colors of ink appear upon it4 ,how they came to be there she did not know2 but she did not think about them long1 for something far worse began to trouble her4 ,she knew that she had lost the grace of ,god out of her heart4 ,oh1 how wretched she felt6 ,would ,god forgive her again8 ,yes2 she knew he would2 for she had read that1 ,the ,lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart1 and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit4 ,this thought was a great comfort to her4 ,but1 oh6 what about her teacher8 ,how could her teacher ever love and respect her again8 ,she would ask her pardon as soon as possible1 but would she forgive her8 ,it was not long until the teacher went to her desk for something1 but she took no notice of ,bessie4 ,beaching out very timidly1 ,bessie touched her and said1 ,o ,miss ,harrington1 won't you please forgive me8 ,but the teacher pretended not to hear her1 and turned quickly away4 ,the next thought was1 ,what will ,mama think and say8 ,oh1 if only she did not have to know about it6 ,with these thoughts coursing through her mind1 ,bessie was unable to study2 and by the time school closed1 she was in great distress4 ,after closing the school1 the teacher paid no attention to ,bessie for some time2 but when she had finished her evening duties and all the pupils except ,nora1 ,anna1 and ,bessie had left the building1 she turned to ,bessie1 fell upon her knees1 and threw both arms around her4 ,bessie sobbed1 ,oh1 please forgive me6 please forgive me6 ,for some time the teacher made no reply1 and ,nora muttered1 ,catch me asking her forgiveness6 ,at last the teacher1 looking up through tearful eyes1 said1 ,bessie dear1 it is you who must forgive me4 ,i should have been a better example to you this afternoon4 ,let us pray4 ,then two sad hearts were lifted to ,god in humble1 earnest prayer that he would forgive them for ,jesus' sake4 ,god heard their prayers1 gave back the sweet peace that they had lost out of their souls1 and bound their hearts together in ,christian love and fellowship4 ,nora went her way1 provoked with her seatmate and angry because the joke had not worked quite as she had expected4 ,anna1 slipping her arm through ,bessie's walked home with her and told her all that ,nora had done4 ,bessie was surprised4 ,she understood why things had taken the course they had2 but1 knowing it was really ,satan1 who had been trying to overthrow her own soul1 she did not censure her seatmate4 ,her only thought now was of how sad her mother would feel4 ,bessie decided that the occurrence was too dreadful to tell her about and that she would keep it a secret4 ,this was her decision until she saw her mother coming down the walk to meet her4 ,having always told her mother everything1 ,bessie did not know how it would seem to keep a secret from her2 so when they met1 she forgot all about her decision and began at once to tell her mother all that had happened4 ,mrs4 ,worthington listened very carefully to ,bessie's story and then said3 ,bessie1 ,i am so glad you have told me all this yourself1 and have held nothing back nor blamed ,nora4 ,god will take care of the matter1 and ,i believe that your lesson is a lasting one4 ,and now1 my child2 you can see your great need of sanctification4 ,had that ugliness and stubbornness been taken out of your heart1 you would have been spared much suffering4 ,i trust that you will earnestly seek and obtain this grace4 ,it was well that ,bessie told her mother everything1 for ,nora did all in her power to circulate the story and to make it as bad as possible4 ,nora's mother1 thinking it best to tell ,mrs4 ,worthington about ,bessie's misbehavior1 made a special call at the ,worthington home for that purpose4 ,bessie's mother listened to what her neighbor's story was and then smilingly replied1 ,yes1 ,i know all about it2 ,bessie told me before she reached home4 ,i am so glad that ,i have the confidence of my child4 ,we are companions2 ,i love her company1 and she loves mine4 ,these words sounded strange to the visitor4 ,she could not understand4 ,it seems strange1 said she1 that ,bessie loves to stay at home and to be with you so much4 ,doesn't she ever get lonesome8 ,nora is restless and tired when she has to stay at home1 and says ,i am too old for her4 ,ah6 here was the secret of the difference between the two girls4 ,one mother had allowed her daughter to choose her own company and had not inquired into their plays and talks2 whereas the other knew the secrets of her child's heart and could advise and instruct her in any matter4 ,between ,bessie and her mother there was a tie of which ,nora and her mother knew nothing4 ,train up a child in the way he should go3 and when he is old he will not depart from it4 ,prov4 #bb3f4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,temptations4 ,at ,christmas time ,bessie received the following letter from one of her friends3 ,dear ,bessie3 ,i have long wondered what to send you as a ,christmas gift1 and it seemed a hard problem to solve4 ,i fear you will wonder at what ,i am sending2 but1 knowing that you are nearly thirteen years old and must be growing very fast1 ,i have decided to send you a corset4 ,i hope you will like and appreciate it enough to wear it4 ,lovingly your friend1 ,lizzie4 ,on receiving the package1 ,bessie looked at the corset and said1 ,mama1 shall ,i wear it8 ,mrs4 ,worthington looked anxiously at her daughter2 for she knew that ,bessie would have strong temptations along this line1 as she did not have a pretty form1 and was growing rapidly4 ,she had hoped1 however1 that the subject would not be mentioned for some time4 ,silently she breathed a little prayer for wisdom to answer the question1 and then said3 ,bessie1 ,god used great wisdom in forming your body4 ,he knew just what shape it would have to be in order to perform its natural functions4 ,do you think it would be proper to try to change it8 ,do you wonder why something snug around your waist could be harmful8 ,listen1 dear1 and ,i will tell you4 ,let us take the corset and examine it4 ,it certainly looks very innocent and pretty1 but just see how stiff it is4 ,these steel ribs and this whalebone make it more like a piece of harness than anything else ,i can think of4 ,when worn about the waist1 it produces pressure upon the vital organs and thus deforms the body4 ,these long strings at the back are often drawn so tightly as to cause the misplacement and derangement of those organs whose functions are most necessary to health and happiness4 ,as a consequence1 many a woman has to suffer long years of torture4 ,many women say they don't wear the corset tight1 and think1 therefore1 that no harm results2 but1 let one of them put a snug-fitting bandage on any other part of the body1 and she will see how quickly the muscles of that part will weaken and decrease in size4 ,should a young woman who has never worn a corset attempt to wear one about her waist as loosely as they are ever worn1 she would1 if honest with herself1 cast it aside as an abominable thing4 ,the reason why ,lizzie wants you to begin wearing a corset while you're young is that1 if you'll bind your waist before you've reached your full growth1 your waist will never attain the size it would have attained under natural conditions4 ,in other words1 you would be deformed4 ,i don't think ,i shall ever wear it1 ,mama1 if that's the effect it has upon the body4 ,if ,god takes such particular care of us that he numbers our very hairs1 he must be very much grieved to see any one put a corset about her waist4 ,i'm glad for your decision1 my child1 but you'll soon meet greater temptations4 ,some mothers don't think it worth while to warn their girls of the dangers that threaten them in regard to love and marriage2 but ,i want to see you1 ,bessie1 fully prepared1 so that you may safely pass this dangerous period4 ,most girls at your age have some strange idea regarding love4 ,in the schoolroom1 perhaps1 a girl notices some particular boy who has a winning way4 ,at first she simply thinks he is nice2 is glad to see him promoted1 receive honor1 etc4 ,gradually her mind becomes filled with queries concerning his opinion of her4 ,she dares not own that she loves to appear well in his eyes1 but it is true nevertheless4 ,during his absence she misses him1 and upon his return her heart beats with emotion4 ,if he pays her little attentions1 she dwells upon them until she becomes eager for them4 ,her playmates notice a change in her1 for she can no longer hide her feelings4 ,she blushes when mention is made of her preference for him4 ,the couple seek to be together as much as possible1 and are soon meeting together secretly4 ,when reproved1 they may promise not to let the thing happen again1 only to repeat it in a short time4 ,the secrecy of these meetings make them more enjoyable1 and their length and frequency are unconsciously increased4 ,satan1 who is never asleep upon such occasions1 makes reproof his companion to push them forward4 ,friendly warnings are unheeded2 and if force be used to prevent the meetings1 the couple may think of eloping4 ,they may not have thought of marriage until this time2 but when the girl realizes what she has done1 she consents to the hasty marriage4 ,such marriages1 ,bessie1 seldom result happily4 ,the place to stop was at the beginning4 ,she should have gained control of her wandering affections4 ,young girls who lavish their love upon boys of their own age or older lose relish for other things1 and their minds become dwarfed and weakened by being taxed with thoughts that are not fit for them to consider at so early an age4 ,it is all right to form in your mind an ideal for your affections1 if you don't have in mind some particular person2 but your common sense should be your guide4 ,two rowboats passing each other upon the water are all right as long as they are far enough apart2 but let these boats drift or be guided too close together1 and there is great danger of a collision4 ,your affections are to you what the rudder is to the boat1 and reason is your pilot4 ,they will guide you aright if you will let them4 ,mama1 said ,bessie1 there's a girl in our school1 only a few months older than ,i1 that says she is to be married in a short time4 ,the man she's to marry is nearly twice as old as she is1 too4 ,we told her that she ought to wait until she wore long dresses before she talked about getting married4 ,don't you think that is dreadful8 ,yes1 dear1 it is4 ,no girl should ever be married while she is so young4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,answers ,,to ,,prayer4 ,during the summer ,bessie's cousin ,john and a boy friend came to visit her4 ,they spent many pleasant hours on the lake4 ,one day while they were about two miles from home1 a fierce storm arose4 ,they noticed the sky growing dark and tried very hard to reach home2 but1 when still some distance from the shore1 they could see that instead of making any headway they were drifting before the wind4 ,it was a serious moment4 ,as the great waves dashed up over them1 each adding to the amount of water in the boat1 ,bessie looked first at her cousin toiling away at the oars1 the great drops of perspiration coursing down his face1 then at their friend nearly wild with terror1 and then at the western sky4 ,john1 said she to her cousin1 ,i believe that's rain coming toward us4 ,until then the boy1 who was a little older than ,bessie1 had been brave2 but as he turned to look1 his face blanched with terror1 and he said1 ,bessie1 if that is rain1 it will certainly sink our boat2 for1 see1 it is nearly half full of water now4 ,the situation was certainly critical1 but ,bessie felt that it was not the time to despair4 ,she remembered that in olden times ,jesus had calmed the sea4 ,believing that he could still do the same1 she prayed for help from heaven4 ,then1 encouraging her cousin to do his best1 she1 assisted by their friend1 began to bale out the water as rapidly as they could4 ,in a few moments the great drops of rain were dashing down upon them4 ,without speaking1 all kept at their work for what seemed to them an hour1 but which was really but a short time4 ,suddenly it ceased raining2 and1 looking about them1 they saw that the lake was perfectly quiet--not a ripple could be seen4 ,with trembling voice ,bessie said1 ,john1 ,god must have sent the rain to quiet the water1 for ,i asked him to help us4 ,it was a very wet but thankful crowd that reached home that night4 ,in the spring that ,bessie was fourteen years old1 her father sold the beautiful home where she had spent so many happy days1 and bought a tract of land in a dense wood farther up the lake4 ,on account of the dense forest1 the place appeared very dismal4 ,as the purchaser of their old home wanted possession as soon as possible1 ,mr4 ,worthington had time to build only a barn before removing his family4 ,in this building they lived during the first summer4 ,though these circumstances were discouraging1 the ,worthingtons tried hard to be brave4 ,by fall a house was ready for them4 ,many good things were lacking in this new forest home2 but ,god knew this1 and he put it into the hearts of friends and neighbors to supply the family with fruit and vegetables and also chickens4 ,so generously were these supplied that there was no lack4 ,during the winter following much wood was cut1 hauled1 and piled out along the roadside in front of the house2 but still there was standing timber nearly everywhere one might look1 and to the south and west it extended for many miles4 ,the next summer ,bessie learned how dangerous an enemy a large forest could become4 ,there was so little rain during the hot months that things became dry and brittle4 ,one day she heard the cry of ,fire6 ,fire6 ,looking away to the southwest1 she beheld a sight that made her feel faint with fear4 ,the woods were ablaze1 and the fire was coming directly toward her home4 ,her father came to her1 explained their danger1 told her to warn her mother and then to do all she could to put out any sparks that might fall around the woodpiles1 house1 or barn4 ,this said1 he hastened to join the men in their desperate battle with the fire4 ,when ,bessie entered the house1 she saw her mother weeping over her little baby1 who had been born during the winter months and who had known nothing but sickness and suffering4 ,when ,mrs4 ,worthington heard the news1 she continued to weep1 and said1 ,well1 dear1 do all you can to put out the sparks2 for ,i think your little brother is dying1 and ,i can not leave him4 ,by much hard work1 the fire was held in check until evening4 ,bessie made her rounds with a pail of water and a dipper until her eyes became so painful on account of the smoke and heat that she was forced to lie down on the ground until they quit hurting4 ,as soon as possible1 however1 she returned to her task1 informing her mother frequently of the progress of the fire4 ,at last word came that nothing more could be done2 that the house could not be saved4 ,seeing that further effort was useless and that each moment increased the danger of their own lives1 the men left off fighting the fire1 in order to save themselves and to help1 if possible1 the ,worthington family4 ,they soon reached the house4 ,the next question was1 where to go4 ,the lake seemed to be the nearest place of safety4 ,confusion was everywhere1 but through it all ,mrs4 ,worthington sat quietly holding her dying baby4 ,o ,mama1 said ,bessie1 aren't you going with the rest8 ,no1 answered her mother positively2 ,i shall remain right here with my dying child4 ,i can not move him now and add to his suffering4 ,i know that ,god can take care of me here as well as anywhere else4 ,why1 ,bessie1 where is your faith8 ,god can yet send rain and put out the fire4 ,oh6 but if ,god doesn't send rain1 you will burn up2 for the fire is almost here1 cried ,bessie4 ,do come as far from the house as you can1 won't you8 ,no1 ,bessie1 ,i told you1 no4 ,i shall sit just where ,i am1 answered ,mrs4 ,worthington2 and ,bessie knew that it would be useless to press the matter further4 ,with throbbing heart ,bessie ran to her room1 which was already getting hot from the fire3 she fell upon her knees by the window where she could see the flames leaping from tree to tree1 and began to call mightily upon ,god4 ,o ,god6 she prayed1 do send rain or change the wind4 ,after repeating this prayer several times1 she noticed some large drops of water upon the window pane4 ,she knew what it meant3 once before ,god had sent rain to help her in time of danger4 ,hastening down stairs1 she said1 ,mama1 it's raining4 ,thank ,god6 said ,mrs4 ,worthington1 ,i knew he wouldn't let baby and me burn up4 ,by that time the rain was pouring down2 the wind had ceased2 and the danger was over4 ,the rain did not put out the fire1 but so checked it that1 by hard work1 it could be kept under control until it died out4 ,little ,clement lived only a short time after the fire2 but just before he died1 he looked into his weeping mother's face and smiled three times4 ,as he had never smiled before1 ,mrs4 ,worthington always thought that ,god took that way to encourage her heart4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,lost ,,in ,,the ,,woods4 ,as ,leroy was too young to drive the cows home in the evening1 ,bessie enjoyed many a long walk in search of them4 ,one evening she had some difficulty in finding them4 ,it was one of those evenings when everything is quiet and sound travels a long distance4 ,after listening carefully for the tinkling of the cow-bells1 ,bessie was bewildered1 for she could seemingly hear them in every direction4 ,at last1 thinking she had located the sound1 she set out in that direction4 ,when she had walked about two miles1 she stopped to listen again4 ,the bells were still tinkling1 but they seemed to be just as far away4 ,she knew1 though1 that the cows sometimes went a long distance4 ,she had been following the road1 but thinking the sound came from the woods1 she started off in that direction4 ,she saw that the sun was just going down behind the trees2 that she was on an unfamiliar path1 and was getting farther and farther from home4 ,but she must get the cows1 and on she went1 stopping now and then to locate the sound of the bells4 ,she suddenly found herself standing upon a point of land where a deep1 wide ravine extended on either side4 ,the distance across the ravine she could not see on account of the shadow and the trees4 ,what should she do8 ,a few minutes previously she had thought about its being late1 but had hoped to find the cows and to make them guide her home4 ,this hope failing1 she did not know what to do4 ,the bells were still tinkling ahead of her2 but she did not dare to try to cross the ravine in the darkness1 now fast gathering around her1 and how could she return through those dense woods6 ,she thought of calling for help1 but as quickly realized how useless the effort would be1 since there were no houses near4 ,as she stood wondering what to do1 these words from a psalm she had committed to memory a short time before1 came to her mind3 ,if ,i say1 ,surely the darkness shall cover me2 even the night shall be light about me4 ,yea1 the darkness hideth not from thee2 but the night shineth as the day2 the darkness and the light are both alike to thee4 ,two more precious promises came to her mind3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye and ,he leadeth me beside still waters4 ,oh1 what encouragement those words were to ,bessie6 ,surely ,god would guide her home4 ,with a thankful heart1 ,bessie started to return4 ,as she had passed through several clearings in her search for the cows1 she had no little difficulty in finding her way2 but the moon rose early and gave her considerable light1 and as she neared home1 she began to recognize some familiar objects4 ,but1 in the meantime1 how were her parents feeling8 ,the cows returned early and were milked4 ,mrs4 ,worthington wondered why ,bessie did not come with them1 but thought she might have been delayed and would come soon4 ,she prepared supper2 but when she got it ready1 ,bessie was still absent4 ,what can be keeping ,bessie tonight8 ,mrs4 ,worthington said anxiously to her husband4 ,she should have come home an hour ago4 ,oh1 ,i suppose she has stopped somewhere to play1 said ,mr4 ,worthington carelessly4 ,no2 ,i don't think so1 replied his wife4 ,bessie always tries to be prompt1 and ,i'm afraid something has happened4 ,if she doesn't come soon1 you had better go to look for her4 ,well1 wait until dark1 said ,mr4 ,worthington2 and1 if she isn't here then1 ,i'll get some men and we'll search in different directions4 ,did you notice which way she went6 ,no1 answered his wife1 but ,i think she went east4 ,at dark ,mr4 ,worthington started out with the searching party4 ,mrs4 ,worthington tried not to worry2 but when nine o'clock passed and half-past nine came1 she felt a great anxiety creeping into her heart4 ,many times she offered an earnest prayer for ,bessie's protection4 ,after putting ,leroy to bed she stationed herself in front of the house to watch4 ,about ten o'clock some one returned to say that he could find no trace of ,bessie4 ,with straining eyes1 ,mrs4 ,worthington looked in the direction in which ,bessie had gone1 and at last thought that she could see some one approaching4 ,as the figure drew nearer1 she could see that it was her child1 and with a glad cry ran to meet her4 ,o ,bessie1 cried the mother1 what has happened to detain you8 ,your father and a company of men are out searching the woods for you4 ,dear child1 where have you been8 ,bessie was very tired and hungry2 but she related all that had happened and said3 ,i'm sorry ,i couldn't go farther2 for ,i believe the cows were just a short distance beyond the point where ,i turned back4 ,but ,i did not dare to cross the swampy place and go into the woods on the other side4 ,why1 the cows have been home a long1 long time1 ,bessie2 and that is what had made your delay seem so strange1 said her mother4 ,but were you not afraid1 dear1 when you found that you were so far from home6 ,bessie explained how she had felt and how the ,lord had encouraged her and helped her to be brave4 ,what time was that8 asked her mother2 and when she learned1 she said1 ,bessie1 that was when ,i was so earnestly praying for you4 ,surely our ,god is a mighty ,god and one who is ever faithful4 ,when the searching party returned1 they were all glad to know that ,bessie was safe at home4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,novel-,,reading4 ,as ,bessie approached her sixteenth year1 ,mrs4 ,worthington became very anxious about her4 ,the mother thought that she could notice a change in her daughter's actions and disposition4 ,instead of being confiding and happy1 she seemed listless1 forgetful1 and nervous4 ,at first the mother could not understand this change2 but by close observation she found that her daughter was indulging in light reading4 ,some magazines and weekly papers containing continued love-stories had found their way into the ,worthington home4 ,at first they were not attractive to ,bessie4 ,she would merely glance through the pages2 but she gradually came to overlook the good1 substantial reading and to enjoy the part that stimulated the romantic and imaginative part of her nature4 ,the effect upon her mental and moral powers was much the same as that produced upon the digestive organs by rich and stimulating foods4 ,her mind was thus weakened and robbed of its relish for wholesome reading4 ,she was ever looking forward for something to excite or satisfy her abnormal desire for the romantic or the dreadful4 ,as soon as ,mrs4 ,worthington realized her daughter's danger1 she sought an opportunity to instruct her on the dangers of novel-reading4 ,some effects of novel-reading1 said she1 are worse even than those produced by dancing4 ,many novels are hurtful because of the many false ideas interwoven in the stories4 ,some novels attract the pure-minded by their morality2 but it is unsafe to read them1 for the reason ,i have already given you1 and because1 as with any bad habit1 the exciting influences must be constantly increased4 ,in this way some persons are deceived and drawn into many of ,satan's snares4 ,in most novels there is much that is good and true2 but the immoral1 the worldly1 and the untrue are so interwoven with it that the reader unconsciously finds himself taking pleasure in thoughts which1 before he began reading novels1 would have been disgusting4 ,in this way the reader's sense of right is lowered and an appetite created--an appetite that can not be satisfied2 the more it is fed1 the more depraved and exacting it becomes4 ,gradually the desire for the romantic increases until the novel-reader longs to have a romance of her own4 ,her sense of duty is so blunted and her better judgment so blinded that she often agrees to a secret marriage with some one who is wholly unfit to be her life companion4 ,it is in this way that many a girl has been deceived and led into sin4 ,many times1 too1 habits have been formed1 from which nothing but the grace of ,god could deliver4 ,in looking back over a wasted life1 many a person can see that his or her downfall had its origin in the first novel4 ,my dear child1 there are many good books that you will find both helpful and interesting1 but the ,bible should be the pattern of your life4 ,let it be the principal food for your mind and soul4 ,your time all belongs to ,god1 and you should waste none of it in reading unwholesome literature4 ,as ,mrs4 ,worthington finished speaking1 she was glad to see a changed look in ,bessie's face4 ,she knew that ,god was talking to her daughter2 and as she arose to go1 she said3 ,bessie1 do not forget from whom you may expect strength4 ,i am praying that ,god will entirely take away the unnatural appetite which you have been fostering4 ,it was not long until ,bessie rejoiced in full deliverance from her taste for novel-reading1 and her interest in her mother's talks returned4 ,as they read the ,bible together and praised ,god for the precious truths it contained1 cherishing them within their hearts as priceless treasures1 ,bessie's understanding seemed to open1 and she was able to comprehend many of the deep truths of ,god's ,word4 ,the reading of ,god's ,word gave her such unbounding joy1 such complete spiritual happiness1 that nothing could compare with it4 ,its truths1 so simple and yet so grand1 were at once a guide and a reproof to keep her feet from straying from the narrow way4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,glad ,,tidings4 ,in a small house about two miles from ,bessie's home lived a very old lady4 ,she loved the ,lord and enjoyed telling of his goodness and of his dealings with her4 ,bessie1 who was now about sixteen years of age1 enjoyed these talks very much4 ,one day while ,bessie and her mother were visiting this aged saint1 she brought forth a much-worn paper and handed it to ,mrs4 ,worthington1 saying1 ,my daughter sent me this paper4 ,you may take it home1 if you like1 she continued2 but ,i must ask you to return it1 as my daughter wants it again4 ,as ,mrs4 ,worthington took the paper1 ,bessie saw at the top of the page1 in large letters1 ,the ,gospel ,trumpet4 ,after reading a few minutes ,mrs4 ,worthington exclaimed3 ,this paper is certainly the work of a people who understand the plan of salvation4 ,things are fully explained here that have been plain to me for years--things that ,i dared not mention publicly lest ,i be thought fanatical4 ,on their return home ,mrs4 ,worthington said3 ,it must have been in answer to prayer that ,sister ,moore let me see that paper4 ,i have prayed for many years that ,god would help me to find a people who were not afraid to preach his whole ,word4 ,i believe we have found them4 ,who knows but this is ,god's way of starting a series of meetings here4 ,oh1 the wonderful ,god we serve6 ,i shall subscribe for the paper at once and also send my poem on sectism to see if they will publish it4 ,the subscription was sent1 and the poem soon appeared in the paper4 ,mrs4 ,worthington was truly thankful to find that ,god had others in the world who were willing to teach the whole ,bible without construing any part to suit their own ideas4 ,it was not long until a testimony appeared from a minister living a few miles away2 and1 agreeably with ,mrs4 ,worthington's request1 a series of meetings was started in the neighborhood4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,meetings4 ,the news of the good meetings spread rapidly1 and the attendance constantly increased4 ,the gospel as preached was a new message to the people1 and yet it was the very same that ,jesus and his disciples taught4 ,every point of doctrine presented had a thus saith the ,lord to confirm it4 ,many saw that the ,bible had been misunderstood and had been misconstrued by mankind to prove minor points1 while the deep and vital truths had been so covered over with prejudice and unbelief that the majority of the people were blind to the true meaning of the ,word2 and that1 in their confusion1 each had gone to the denomination that seemed most nearly to correspond to his clouded views4 ,it was also clearly shown that there is no way to heaven except the straight and narrow way that ,jesus taught1 and that ,god's ,word is the only true measure of a ,christian experience4 ,mrs4 ,worthington felt now that her cup of joy was full since she could hear the way of salvation and the true church explained from the pulpit just as ,god had revealed them to her4 ,she was also glad that ,bessie1 who was now old enough to understand deep spiritual truths for herself1 was in perfect harmony and fellowship with her4 ,about forty souls were saved in the meetings2 some gained the experience of sanctification2 and the ,spirit of the ,lord worked mightily upon the hearts of many others4 ,oh1 the deep and wonderful love of ,god6 ,oh1 the richness and fulness of his grace6 ,how glorious ,bessie now found her walk with ,god6 ,how precious to commune with him and feel that she was growing deeper into his love6 ,truly it was a taste of heaven6 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,bessie ,,sees ,,her ,,duty4 ,among those converted in the meetings was a girl a little younger than ,bessie4 ,her name was ,cora4 ,being an orphan and living in the home of an infidel uncle1 where she had no one to understand or sympathize with her views1 she often sought ,bessie for counsel and advice4 ,the uncle did not oppose his niece1 but others in his family did4 ,as time went on1 the two girls became anxious to be doing something for the ,lord4 ,while they were pondering over the matter1 a company of ministers came to the place to hold another series of meetings4 ,from them the girls learned that ,the ,gospel ,trumpet was published by consecrated labor1 that the workers received no stated salary1 but that they trusted the ,lord for their food and clothing4 ,it seemed a strange story to the girls1 but ,cora felt that she should like to go and help in the work4 ,though her uncle was not pleased with her plan1 yet finally1 after he had investigated and had found the place respectable1 he gave his consent4 ,it was several months1 however1 before she expected to leave4 ,toward the close of this time ,bessie began to feel some anxiety for her friend1 and one day said to her1 ,cora1 do you really want to go to ,the ,gospel ,trumpet office to work8 ,now1 if you don't want to go1 ,god will not be pleased with your service4 ,bessie1 ,i have lost all desire to go1 ,cora answered4 ,it seems to me that ,god is calling you instead of me4 ,you could be a much greater help than ,i1 because you have known and understood this truth all your life4 ,if ,bessie had received a severe blow1 it could not have hurt her more4 ,her precious mother6 ,how could she leave her6 ,many of her cherished hopes for the future arose before me4 ,her plan1 to do all she could for her mother in her declining years1 came up before her2 and as she thought of it1 she became very sad4 ,when the two girls parted at the door1 ,bessie's heart was very heavy2 and when she was at last alone1 she wept bitterly4 ,she remembered that she had consecrated to do anything the ,lord might require of her1 but she did not see how she could do this4 ,for many days ,bessie bore this heavy burden2 and1 not being strong1 she began to fail in health4 ,from appearances1 she had a malignant form of quick consumption4 ,the course of the disease was rapid1 and in a few weeks she was not only confined to her bed1 but seemingly very near death4 ,mr4 ,worthington desired to consult a physician1 but reluctantly heeded to ,bessie's earnest entreaties to let her trust the ,lord4 ,she said to her father1 ,i know that ,god would heal me1 if for the best2 and1 if not1 ,i would rather die4 ,and she added mentally1 ,i would rather die than to leave home4 ,bessie at last became so low that she could not be left alone night or day4 ,as her mother sat beside her one day1 holding her hand1 she said3 ,i believe1 dear1 that ,god wants to heal you and use you for himself4 ,i feel like asking our elder1 ,sister ,smith1 to come and anoint you with oil according to ,jas4 #e3ad1 #ae4 ,i am sure ,god will heal you4 ,sister ,smith was brought as soon as possible2 but1 to ,mrs4 ,worthington's surprise1 she did not offer to anoint ,bessie until the next day4 ,she said3 ,i can not understand this case4 ,there is something here that seems very strange4 ,bessie appears to be perfectly resigned to die1 but she only answers yes or no to my questions4 ,i shall talk to her again4 ,returning to the bedside1 she said1 ,my dear1 if ,god heals you1 are you willing to leave your father1 mother1 and home to preach the gospel--but she got no farther4 ,bessie1 with all the emphasis she could command in her weak state1 interrupted1 ,no2 ,i will never preach4 ,ah6 there is the point in your consecration that you have not reached1 replied ,sister ,smith4 ,you must be willing to do anything that will bring the most honor to ,god's name1 and to work where he can get the most glory out of your service4 ,it may be the ,lord will never require you to preach2 but he wants the willingness on your part1 just as much as if he wanted to make a minister of you4 ,it was some time before ,bessie could answer2 but when she did1 it was to say that she would do anything1 only that she must know that it was ,god who required it4 ,god will make you to know that1 said ,sister ,smith2 and now ,i feel that everything is out of the way1 and we can ask ,god to heal you4 ,as she applied the oil and called earnestly upon ,god1 there seemed to be a heavenly atmosphere filling the room4 ,bessie felt a soothing sensation passing through her body2 and when the prayer was ended1 she felt perfectly well1 though exceedingly weak4 ,her strength soon returned1 however1 and it was not long until the ,lord told her plainly that he wanted her at ,the ,gospel ,trumpet office4 ,she remembered her consecration and felt willing in her heart to obey2 but she shrank from telling her parents4 ,for two weeks she endured severe mental suffering4 ,she tried to gain sufficient courage to speak to her mother about the call1 but her tongue refused to form the words4 ,one day while she and her mother were in the cosy sitting-room1 ,mrs4 ,worthington said1 ,bessie1 ,i believe that ,god wants you at ,the ,gospel ,trumpet office and that he has used ,cora's plan and your sickness to show you your duty4 ,looking up through eyes filled with tears1 ,bessie related all that ,god had revealed to her4 ,a great calm then came into her soul4 ,but the test was not entirely over4 ,mr4 ,worthington must be told1 and--would he be willing8 ,embracing the first opportunity1 ,bessie told him her plans and begged his approval upon them2 but his reply nearly crushed her4 ,bessie1 said her father1 if you must leave us1 you may go2 but ,i have one thing to say and ,i mean it4 ,if you go1 you can never return2 for your going is heartless indeed4 ,i can not see why you should choose to go from your comfortable home and those who love you so dearly1 and leave your mother1 who so much needs your help4 ,father1 ,father6 exclaimed ,bessie1 ,oh1 don't talk that way6 ,you know how much ,i love you all4 ,you know ,i never wanted to leave home before2 and if you won't let me return1 what shall ,i do8 ,as she stood there before her father almost broken-hearted1 a sweet voice whispered1 ,i will be with thee2 be not afraid4 ,the words sounded like music in her soul and reminded her of her recent decision to obey the ,lord at any cost2 and she said quietly3 ,well1 ,father1 if you refuse to let me return home1 it will have to be that way2 but ,i must obey the ,lord1 and he has called me into his service ,very well1 he answered1 but remember my words1 and he left her4 ,seeking her mother1 ,bessie told her of the interview and of her father's refusal to allow her to return home4 ,for a moment they stood looking at one another2 and then1 with great tears filling her eyes1 her mother said3 ,remember the words of ,jesus1 ',there is no man that hath left house1 or parents1 or brethren1 or wife1 or children1 for the kingdom of ,god's sake1 who shall not receive manifold more in this present time1 and in the world to come life everlasting4' ,dear1 child1 ,i know your dutiful nature1 and how you long to obey your parents2 but the ,bible says to obey them in the ,lord4 ,when you have to choose whom you will serve1 ,god or your parents1 you must choose the ,lord4 ,i will obey ,god1 said ,bessie quietly2 and she began at once to prepare to leave home4 ,when all was ready and the morning of departure had come1 ,mr4 ,worthington went out to prepare to take his daughter to the train4 ,he had been very silent all the morning1 but ,bessie's heart was so full that she had taken little notice of his behavior4 ,oh1 how she longed for his consent for her to return6 ,her mother gave her every encouraging word possible4 ,at last they looked out and saw that the horse was ready4 ,as ,bessie picked up her last bundle1 the door opened1 and her father1 stepping in quickly1 caught her in his arms4 ,o my child1 he sobbed1 will you forgive me and come back as soon as the ,lord will let you8 ,i didn't mean what ,i said2 but it is so hard to give you up4 ,if you need anything1 write to me at once and let me know about it1 won't you8 and he tenderly kissed her4 ,bessie's heart was filled with joy1 and she said that he could expect her home just as soon as the ,lord would let her come4 ,read #a ,cor4 #aj3ac and ,jas4 #a3ab just as soon as you have time1 dear1 whispered ,mrs4 ,worthington in her daughter's ear as she kissed her again before she jumped into the buggy beside her father4 ,then they drove away from the home and the mother that were so dear to ,bessie's heart4 ,very few words were spoken on the way to town1 and after a long ride ,bessie found herself on the train4 ,it all seemed like a terrible dream2 but there was a sweet peace and quietness in her soul1 and her father's loving words rang again and again in her ears4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,reverie4 ,in the days that followed ,bessie's arrival at the ,trumpet office1 she found many ways in which she could help spread the gospel4 ,she found1 too1 that she could preach in a way that was not at all distasteful to her2 for she could set up many lines of type to be used in printing the gospel message in the ,trumpet1 which was carrying light and truth into many homes and preaching to hungry souls4 ,but oh1 how often she thought of the dear ones at home and of how they were missing her6 ,one evening1 when she sought her room and sat down beside the window1 as she had so often done at home1 she began to review her life4 ,as the soft shadows gathered slowly about her1 she seemed to be at home again close beside her mother's knee1 listening to her tender1 loving words of sympathy and advice4 ,bessie could now see what they had been worth to her4 ,they not only had prepared her for a common sphere in life1 but had given her a thorough understanding of ,god's great plan of salvation4 ,as she recalled her mother's prayers and talks1 she realized that1 through them1 she had many times escaped what other girls had ignorantly blundered into1 and had been spared a great many of the bitter sorrows that come into the lives of girls not taught at their mother's knee4 ,in her thankfulness1 she offered a fervent prayer to her heavenly ,father that many more earnest1 noble1 and prayerful mothers might be found to guide their children through the critical period of childhood4 ,after three months ,bessie returned home for a short visit with her parents4 ,upon her arrival she not only found a loving and tender welcome1 but also learned that both her parents had accepted her call as from ,god4 ,after a happy visit of two weeks she returned to her work4 ,with the blessing of ,god upon her labors1 we shall here bid her good-by4 ,in conclusion1 we wish to say that what she became was principally in answer to her faithful mother's prayers4 ,had she been left--as many girls are--without a mother's tender love and confidence1 mingled with many earnest prayers1 she would have fallen into temptations that she never knew4 ,she had fully proved the worth of a praying mother4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,a ,,plea ,,to ,,mothers4 ,home as ,god intended it is built upon the corner-stone of virtue and prayer4 ,it makes no difference how beautiful the house nor how grand its contents1 if the mother is a woman who does not care for ,god or virtue1 the corner-stone of that home is lacking4 ,such a home can not stand when trial and temptation enter4 ,a stream never rises above its source1 nor a home above the ideals of its founders4 ,no matter how humble the home1 do not belittle its possibilities4 ,anything so sacred as home can command heaven's choicest and best blessings4 ,the humblest cabin may contain that element which makes home the shrine of happiness and the temple of peace1 and will cause it to send forth saints and heroes4 ,oh that parents1 especially mothers1 could realize their influence in the home1 their power to direct the young minds around them into the proper channel6 ,let us so educate and train the children that they will be able to get the greatest good from their natural endowment and that they may use it in such a manner as will bring the most glory to ,god4 ,so train them and so live before them in the home that in after-years they will say with pleasure3 ,this precept was always taught me by my parents4 ,father and ,mother's holy example has been a priceless birthright to me4 ,this is true parenthood4 ,it should be the ideal in every home4 ,by this ,i mean parents who realize their responsibility and have their children's best interest at heart2 parents who will sacrifice any pleasure of their own for the benefit and happiness of their little ones2 parents who will not only bid their children a hearty welcome into the world1 but will care for their future from that moment1 and who have the love and respect of their entire household4 ,you may say that parents like these are few and hard to find4 ,true1 but it is equally so that1 with proper knowledge and understanding1 many would approach this standard4 ,perhaps some have allowed years to slip carelessly by and their darlings to pass seemingly beyond their control4 ,to such ,i would say1 ,it is never too late to pray4 ,observe the wayward boy whose chief inheritance is a wild1 wilful nature4 ,he is nearing his fourteenth birthday4 ,having been allowed to have his own way while small1 he has cultivated an ungovernable desire to do as he pleases4 ,let the mother of that boy cease her old habit of saying1 ,i don't know what will become of that boy6 ,i don't understand how he can treat me so rudely4 ,i've done all ,i can1 and he just grows worse1 and take a more rational method4 ,have you gone to that boy and told him the sweet1 simple story of ,jesus and why he came from his beautiful home2 that a part of his mission was to teach you how to make your home after the pattern of his heavenly home2 that his heart is touched with compassion when he beholds any one in trouble2 that he is grieved because you have made a mistake2 but that you are sorry and are decided to do your duty8 ,have you told the boy all that8 ,have you knelt beside his bed at night with your tear-dimmed eyes pressed upon his hand1 and told him the great dangers that are before him1 even surrounding him1 and informed him how to avoid them8 ,have you told him that he is at the most critical time in his life1 that a mistake now will mean a life of suffering for both him and you1 and that he can with you begin over and remove some of his past mistakes8 ,have you talked thus to your boy8 ,if not1 why not8 ,it is your privilege as well as your duty4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,parental ,,duty4 ,the first duty of father and mother to their child is to see that they are a unit on family government4 ,second1 they must study themselves and their failures1 trying to make the weak places strong4 ,third1 study the disposition of the child1 gain an understanding of its inner life1 and find out what pleases and displeases it2 and1 while cultivating the good1 hold in check the bad4 ,a mother should understand her children better than any one else4 ,if she is a thoughtful mother1 she knows not only the surroundings of her children1 but many of the impressions that she has stamped upon their undeveloped minds4 ,children are not putty that can be moulded into any form to suit our fancy1 but there is a method by which we can fashion their young lives4 ,much patience1 devotion to the child1 and fervent prayer will be needful to accomplish anything worth while4 ,every parent should see that their attitude toward their children is what it should be4 ,consider their feelings and show them respect1 remembering that they have rights upon which you must not intrude2 but never loosen the reigns of home government4 ,make any rules that you think practicable and necessary2 explain each rule carefully to your child1 giving your reason for making it1 and then demand obedience4 ,never1 unless for some special reason1 ignore any good rule4 ,should your child happen to break one of these rules1 do not punish without first finding out the cause4 ,he may not have understood your meaning1 or he may have forgotten4 ,take him quietly aside2 and1 after finding out why he has disobeyed1 gently tell him again your reasons for making the rules and the necessity of his obedience4 ,you might have to do this several times1 but do not excuse him too long4 ,when it is necessary to punish1 ask for wisdom from above1 and then punish in a way that he will understand you and remember the punishment4 ,when you make a statement1 stand by it1 if possible1 unless you see error in it4 ,if such be the case1 confess your fault4 ,if your child does not show you due respect and obedience1 there is a cause for it1 and it is your duty to find out what that cause is4 ,all children have to contend with bad qualities that have been inherited4 ,do not flatter yourself that because the child is yours it will escape temptation2 for all must be tempted1 if they would be strong4 ,teach your children1 according to their ability to comprehend1 all that they should know to be able to shun evil4 ,do not think that because your child has inherited some moral weakness1 you are helpless to teach him to overcome it4 ,you can explain to him his danger and tell him what yielding to the temptations that come to him because of this weakness will lead to4 ,point out the effect of this sin upon the one from whom it was inherited4 ,tell the child that the only chance to overcome this inherited tendency will be by constantly avoiding those things that will lead to temptation4 ,you may find the task difficult and you may sometimes feel disheartened1 but you must put that wayward child of yours right1 if possible1 or ,god will hold you accountable4 ,perhaps the inherited sin may lie at your own door4 ,if it does1 you will understand better how to help him from under its power4 ,in the public school1 on the street1 and in his various associations1 your child will be exposed to the evil of hearing impure language from vile lips2 and if he be not warned1 who can blame him for listening8 ,your home teaching must overbalance all that he hears outside4 ,should some question concerning the mysteries of his own body or of his own origin be aroused in his mind by impure stories or by any other cause1 you must at once arise to meet the difficulty before harm is done that will be very difficult to overcome4 ,but some mother will say3 ,i do not know what answer to make my child when he asks questions of such a delicate nature4 ,would it not be best to leave his mind free from these ideas until he is older8 ,doubtless it would1 if the child would be contented to wait2 but when he has learned enough to ask the question1 he is able to tell whether you speak the truth when you say you do not know1 and he will not be satisfied by the flimsy pretest1 ,oh1 run away and don't bother me2 ,i'm too busy4 ,above all else1 keep the confidence of your child1 so that he will come to you with every trouble of life4 ,confidence of children in their parents is a gift from ,god4 ,all children have it at first4 ,see the tottering baby cling to its mother for support2 watch it run to her when it is frightened4 ,can it not have the same confidence when it is older8 ,i answer from experience that it can and should4 ,truth inspires trust in your child4 ,if you do not think it best to answer all his questions fully at the time when he asks them1 tell him at least enough to satisfy his curiosity1 and promise him that1 if this remains a secret between you and him1 he may come to you whenever he wants more information4 ,do not be afraid of having secrets with your child4 ,the matter may be trifling1 but the fact that he is helping you to keep secrets will teach him to value his word and will increase his confidence in you4 ,on the other hand1 if you tell him an untruth1 do not think that he will come to you again4 ,no1 he will doubtless go to some friend who he thinks will tell him1 and thus get his young mind tainted with impure thoughts4 ,and little better in results than telling an untruth is putting the child off till some future time4 ,these questions must be met when they arrive4 ,you may say1 ,i don't know how much to tell at any one time4 ,wisdom is necessary here4 ,no more should be told than will satisfy the present curiosity of the child4 ,a few questions on your part will readily discover what information he has gained and how much he wishes to know4 ,a boy of scarce six summers once came to his mother with a question of life4 ,the mother was shocked2 but1 offering an earnest prayer for wisdom1 she questioned the child and found that he had heard remarks made by older boys4 ,as his mind was developed enough to comprehend part of their conversation1 his curiosity was aroused4 ,having perfect confidence in his mother1 he had sought her for an explanation of the points that perplexed him4 ,as simply as possible1 that mother gave the information1 ending with the words1 ,now1 darling1 this is to be a perfect secret between us2 and when you are old enough1 ,i will tell you more4 ,years passed by until the boy was in his eleventh year2 then he once more went to his mother for information4 ,mama1 he began1 do you remember the time you told me a secret8 ,she answered that she did1 and he continued3 ,well1 ,i have kept that secret4 ,i have never mentioned it to any one4 ,and do you remember that you said some time you would tell me more8 ,when she answered1 ,yes1 he said quickly1 ,don't you think ,i'm old enough now8 ,in answer1 the mother put her arms about him and said1 ,my son1 you shall hear all you wish to hear4 ,what is it1 dear8 ,then as each question came1 she gave him a satisfactory answer1 and ended by saying1 ,whenever you want to know more1 come to me1 and ,i will tell you4 ,that boy continued to go to his mother2 and when he entered the most trying period of his life1 her advice kept him from the dangers into which so many fall4 ,in hours of trial she was able to point him to the ,savior4 ,never neglect the duty of warning your child of danger4 ,teaching of this kind will endear you to your children long after you are resting in the grave4 ,they will recount1 ,my mother told me this4 ,my father taught me that4 ,they must have understood ,god's plan of salvation1 or they would never have known how to tell me these things4 ,but the task will require your highest talents4 ,sympathy and love1 constant watchfulness1 and earnest prayer will be the most needful4 ,since the child does not know himself1 you must learn to know him4 ,you must search for the secret springs that govern his actions and for the master key that will unlock his heart4 ,one dear young woman1 relating her experience to me1 said3 ,my mother died when ,i was only six years old2 but ,i know she must have been a ,christian1 because some friends who knew her told me of her devoted life and of earnest pleadings for her children when she saw that she must leave them4 ,all that ,i can remember about her was seeing her bowing in prayer or talking to us children4 ,there are desires in my nature that ,i know must have been planted within me in answer to her prayer4 ,after her death ,i was cast out upon the world4 ,i went to live with a very ungodly family1 but that sense of right and wrong within me made me shun and despise their evil ways4 ,i loved to read my ,bible4 ,from it ,i learned that1 if ,i would gain heaven1 ,i must forsake sin and live a pure life4 ,to live such a life was a pleasure until ,i found that the denomination whose meetings ,i attended would not allow me to say much about a holy life1 because their creed did not teach it4 ,then ,i promised the ,lord that ,i would be a ,christian if ,i had to be one all by myself4 ,this was not necessary1 for ,i found many true ,christians who believed all that the ,bible teaches4 ,that mother's prayers had fashioned and governed the life of her daughter long before the child was able to understand her mother's meaning4 ,parents can not begin too early to win the child's love and confidence1 and they should spare no pains to maintain these to mature years4 ,those who do will find that their children will never1 even to old age1 fail to come to them for sympathy and advice4 ,children so reared will always love and honor their father and mother as the ,bible says they should1 and will look upon their parents' lives as examples for them to imitate4 ,see to it that you show yourself a good pattern1 in thought1 word1 and deed1 for them to follow4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,useful ,,hints4 ,there is no definite rule whereby parents may control their home1 except to seek advice from ,god1 for no two families have the same environment4 ,any method that will bring about the desired result may be applied2 but the method must be systematic and thorough4 ,a positive attitude is good1 and should be encouraged1 but harshness ought never to be used4 ,the latter will tend to discouragement and resentment in the child1 while the former will teach the difference between right and wrong4 ,be charitable to your children in regard to their faults and failings1 so that they may learn by your example to be charitable to each other and to their fellows4 ,teach them the blessings that charity will bring to them2 show them that it is the greatest of ,god's gifts and that without it they will meet many buffetings from their contact with the world4 ,remember that ,paul speaks of it as the more excellent way and admonishes us to desire it above all things else4 ,children must have entertainment4 ,rich and costly furniture1 elaborate parties1 or even guests are not necessary4 ,children may be entertained in a very simple manner4 ,what child does not enjoy the old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek1 tag1 or some such innocent amusement with ,papa and ,mama8 ,it may take a little of your time1 but what of that8 ,do all you can to make your home the happiest place on earth for your children4 ,yes1 says one1 that will do while the children are little2 but just wait until they grow up1 and then they will seek other company4 ,i did not say that they must always stay with you4 ,of course they will desire to go from home sometimes4 ,what ,i mean is that we can make home so attractive that they will note the difference between it and the outside world4 ,the interest we take in them will constrain them to remain at home and to return when away from it4 ,home6 ,oh that beautiful word6 ,poets have written about it1 choirs have sung about it1 but who can fathom the meaning of that little word1 home6 ,none but the child who has been taught to revere1 cherish1 and enjoy it1 and then looking back remembers the happy years spent in the home circle4 ,i think that ,i hear a father say1 ,when ,i return from my work1 ,i am so tired ,i can not stand the children's noise4 ,is that so8 ,do you not love your children1 and are you not working for their welfare6 ,if so1 do you not think that a little less labor with your hands and a little time spent with them would be more profitable8 ,perhaps a little romp or chat with them would rest you4 ,try it anyway4 ,you who are desk workers can afford it3 it will help you to cast off the responsibilities of the day and the better prepare you for the morrow4 ,a romp with the children is not lost2 but1 on the other hand1 is a benefit for both parent and child4 ,thoughtful parents can think of many things that will increase the interest in home and will draw them closer to their children4 ,sometimes it is good for the children to visit their friends1 but parents should always be acquainted with these friends4 ,never let your child go where games are played that you would not allow played in your own home4 ,here is where conscience and confidence will help you4 ,be cautious about allowing your child to go somewhere to stay all night4 ,in this way many a child has learned evil practises and in some cases been ruined4 ,then1 too1 it draws his mind away from the home circle4 ,but1 you say1 all this ,i have done1 and yet my children are now forgetful of it all4 ,they are indulging in many things that they were taught to be harmful to the soul4 ,my dear friend1 can you not remember when this state of things began8 ,can you not point to a time when there was a drifting from your home circle8 when home life began to seem too narrow for your child8 when he began to crave the association of others more than that of his own brothers and sisters8 ,did you at that time lift up your home banner and shield8 ,did you tell him of the rapids in the distance8 ,no1 you falteringly answer2 ,i thought there could be no harm in allowing him to mingle with his chums at school and to visit them in their homes4 ,i was afraid to be too particular1 lest he should think me too strict with him4 ,ah6 friend1 that was your golden opportunity1 and you failed to see it4 ,after instructing the child1 you should have bowed with him in prayer1 giving him over to ,god's keeping4 ,then1 if he chose to go--remembering that your prayers were following him--nine chances out of ten he would have returned with words similar to those spoken by a youth who had been permitted to attend a party4 ,in answer to his father's question he said1 ,yes2 ,i had a good time1 but ,i have better times at home4 ,better times at home6 ,think of it1 parents6 ,is it not worth some self-denial1 some sacrifices1 on pour part1 to have your home spoken of in this manner8 ,yes1 says a mother1 that is all right when both parents are in harmony and have salvation2 but suppose that the parents are poor and that one is unsaved8 ,i have seen just such homes as this governed in the manner whereof ,i speak4 ,god gave more grace and strength to the saved companion2 and1 although there were many difficulties to encounter1 yet the saved one was able to influence the home for ,god4 ,all things are possible to him that believeth1 said ,christ in olden times1 and his statement is still true4 ,again1 ,i hear a parent whose loved companion has recently died say1 ,what can ,i do now to train my children aright8 ,there comes before my mind a beautiful scene of a faithful mother with her son and daughter whom she had brought up to ,god's glory4 ,she was left alone with these two precious ones to guide and rear to manhood and womanhood4 ,she bade adieu to the words ,i can't and with determination went about her task4 ,as ,god never lets such zeal go without assistance1 this mother found help in time of need4 ,another scene which ,i love to recall is that of a devoted father and by his side his two motherless daughters just entering womanhood4 ,he gives them every spare moment that he has1 and both are real examples of trust and purity4 ,in your zeal to find entertainment for your children1 do not forget that they must have employment4 ,see that every member of your household has certain work to do4 ,this work should be suited to the years and the strength of the individual and1 if possible1 to his likes and dislikes4 ,work of the proper kind will strengthen the muscles1 improve the health1 keep out many evils1 and create in the young a desire to help bear the burdens of life4 ,periods of rest may be made profitable by having on hand as much wholesome literature as you are able to secure4 ,by this means much useful knowledge may be stored4 ,the reading need not be confined wholly to religious works2 reliable treatises on science1 art1 mechanics1 cooking1 chemistry1 domestic economy1 health1 etc41 are all profitable if not indulged in to the exclusion of religious literature4 ,if you trust ,god1 he will help you to know what to do4 ,a lady once said1 ,our children are what we make them1 and we get out of them just what we put in4 ,these words contain much truth4 ,god holds all parents1 according to their light and understanding1 responsible for the training of their children4 ,if you have a preference among your children1 never reveal it4 ,on the contrary1 endeavor to place the less favored ahead in your care and attention4 ,you can justly do this1 for the favorite will get all the attention he deserves anyway4 ,i well remember a case where the mother's favorite son brought sorrow and shame to the entire household by stealing from his own father1 simply because she had humored and petted him in childhood4 ,parents can not be too careful in this respect4 ,many a mother does not realize how highly her children value her opinion4 ,a boy had met with an accident that somewhat disfigured him for a time4 ,while he was preparing to leave for school1 his mother said1 ,you will no doubt be made sport of today2 are you able to bear it8 ,his answer was1 ,oh1 ,i don't care what any one says about me but you2 but if you were to make fun of me1 ,i couldn't stand it4 ,,sweet ,,gem ,,of ,,the ,,home4 ,thou formal home1 so graced1 so blest1 ,with earthly treasures rare2 ,within thy portals we expect ,all graces rich and fair4 ,we gaze1 we search1 but all in vain2 ,the gem we love so well1 ,sweet innocence1 doth not remain1 ,nor in thy chambers dwell4 ,thy children1 as the world they greet1 ,are bearing tales of thee2 ,i was not warned1 they oft repeat1 ,nor taught at ,mother's knee4 ,sweet ,innocence1 thou heav'nly grace1 ,rich gem from ,god above6 ,thy touch upon the human face ,reveals but peace and love4 ,thy treasures richer far than gold1 ,thy gifts of greatest worth1 ,might grace our homes1 except for sin1 ,whose curse now sweeps the earth4 ,we look for thee within the maid1 ,with beauty1 grace1 and charm1 ,but find thy flight she hath not stayed1 ,nor doth she feel alarm4 ,then in the lad1 whose noble brow ,thy presence might suggest2 ,with closer view we must allow ,by thee he is not blest4 ,e'en when we look within the child ,and laud his graces sweet1 ,we find his mind so soon defiled ,for thee 'tis no retreat4 ,and why8 we ask1 oh6 why is this8 ,such need and dearth abound4 ,oh6 why in homes of promised bliss ,may not this gem be found8 ,the mystery1 so deep1 so great1 ,is simply lack of prayer2 ,is bidding timely warning wait ,for daily toil and care4 ,allowing things that crumble1 waste1 ,our whole attention claim1 ,we cause sweet ,innocence in haste ,to leave our homes to shame4 ,but thee1 sweet grace1 we find in some-- ,thank ,god thou art not lost6-- ,we see thee in the ,christian home ,as royal guest and host4 ,we note the mother as she pleads ,for counsel from ,god's throne1 ,then goes with wisdom that she needs ,and strength to make it known4 ,we watch the child in this true home1 ,and in its face so fair ,we recognise what doth become ,a faithful mother's prayer4 ,sweet ,innocence6 may we extol1 ,within the home1 thy art2 ,thy power to beautify the soul1 ,to teach the pure in heart4 ,thou gift divine6 thou fairest gem6 ,thy presence may we crave1 ,that thou mayst grace our diadem ,in life beyond the grave4 ,reveal1 ,o grace1 unto the world ,thy beauties rich and rare1 ,that all may understand and know ,what mothers find in prayer4