Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

CRIES OF CHILDREN.

[graphic]

F we inquire into the causes which produce the crying of infants, we shall find that it seldom originates from pain or uncomfortable sensations. In the first year of infancy, many expressions of the tender organs are to be considered only as efforts, or manifestations of power. Hence it follows, that the over-anxious parents or nurses who continually endeavour to prevent infants from crying, do them a material injury; for, by such imprudent management, their children seldom or never acquire a perfect form of the heart, while the foundation is laid in the pectoral vessels for obstructions and other diseases.

Independently of any particular causes, the cries of children, with regard to their general effect, are highly beneficial and necessary, In the first period of life, such exertions are almost the only exercise of the infant. Thus the circulation of the blood and all the other fluids is rendered more uniform; digestion, nutrition, and the growth of the body are thereby promoted; and the different secretions, together with the very important office of the skin, or insensible perspiration, are duly performed. Hence, it is extremely improper to consider every noise of an infant as a claim upon our assistance, and to intrude either food or drink, with a view to satisfy its supposed wants. By such injudicious conduct, children readily acquire the injurious habit of demanding things, or nutriment, at improper times, and without necessity; their digestion thus becomes impaired, and, consequently, the whole mass of the fluids of the body is thus entirely corrupted. So constantly is a beneficial purpose conjoined even with suffering, that instances are not rare of delicate children being benefited by the bodily activity and deeper respiration involved in occasional crying. But this kind of crying must never be confounded with the constant plaintive wail which characterizes infantile disease, and which betokens both suffering and danger.

USES OF OLD NEWSPAPERS. FOR bed-clothing, we know from experience that these are not to be despised. Two thicknesses of paper are better than a pair of blankets, and in the case of persons who dislike the weight of many bed-clothes they are invaluable. A spread made of double layers of paper between a covering of calico or chintz is desirable in

every household. The papers should be tacked together with thread, and also basted to the covering to keep them from slipping. An objection has been made on account of the rustling; but if soft papers be chosen, the

noise will not be annoying, especially should the spread be laid between a blanket and a counterpane. As a protection to plants against cold, both in and out doors, nothing is better. If newspapers are pinned over night at a window between pots and glass, the flowers will not only not be frozen, but will not even get chilled, as they are so liable to be in the winter season. In the same way, if taken to cover garden beds on the frosty nights of early autumn, they will allow the plants to remain safely out doors some time later than is common.

THE

MOTHERS' TREASURY.

A MOTHER'S PRAYERS.

BOUT thirty-three years ago, one lovely Sabbath morning, eight young law students were strolling along the bank of one of the tributaries of the Potomac river. They were going to a secluded spot in a grove, to murder the precious hours of that holy day by playing "whist" and drinking wine. Each of them was the son of a praying mother. As they were sauntering along and amusing each other with idle jests, the court-house bell -used for calling the Presbyterians to their house of worshipcommenced to ring. Although fully two miles away, it sounded in the ears of those thoughtless youths as plainly as if it were upon the other shore of that narrow creek. Suddenly one of them stopped, and told him who writes this account thereof, that he would go no farther, but that he would return to town and go to church. Then your correspondent shouted to the other six, who were a short distance ahead: 'Boys, boys, come back here! George is getting religious. Come, we must assist him. We must baptize him by immersion in the water." Speedily we all surrounded George, and told him that only by going with us could he save himself from a cold bath. To which, in a calm, soft, but earnest tone of voice, he replied,

[ocr errors]

"I know very well that you have the physical ability to put me into the stream and hold me there till I am drowned, and, if you choose, you can do so without my showing any resistance; but before you do it I have a few words to say, and then I will yield without a struggle.

"You all know that I am nearly two hundred miles from home; but you do not know, so I now propose telling you, that my mother is a helpless, bedridden invalid. I cannot remember ever having seen her out of her bed; and I never did see her out of her room. I am the youngest of the family. When my father concluded to send me here to get the benefit of our preceptor's instructions,-he and my father having been life-long personal friends, and he charges nothing for my tuition,―he could scarcely prevail upon mother to consent to my leaving her. The struggle almost cost her what little of life she possessed. At length, after many prayers upon the subject, she consented, and the necessary preparations for my departure from home were speedily completed.

"My mother never spoke to me upon the matter till the morning on which I left for the East. Then, after I had eaten breakfast, she sent for me and asked if I had everything ready and properly packed. I told her that all was complete and that I would be off as soon as the stage came for me. Kneeling beside her bed, at her request, with her loving hands upon my head, she prayed for her youngest born. Many and many a night since I have dreamed that whole scene over. It is the happiest recollection in my memory. I believe that to the day of my death I will be able to repeat every word of that prayer. When she ceased praying, she spoke to me thus:

"My precious son, you know not-indeed you never can know -the agony of a mother's heart when parting for ever from her last born, to her still a babe. When you go forth from beneath the home of your nativity, to pursue the study of the profession of your choice, and of your dear father's choosing as well, you will for the last time this side the grave look upon the face of her who loves you as no other mortal does or can. Your father is not able to pay your expenses for making visits home during the two years of your course of studies. I cannot possibly live so long as that. The sands in the hour-glass of my feeble existence have nearly run out. I have therefore had a severe struggle; for I heard your kind indulgent father assuring you that the whole case rested with me-that, although you might never have another such favourable offer, nothing could possibly induce him to act in the matter against my wishes. So I have yielded. In that distant and strange place to which you are going there will be no loving mother to whom you can apply for counsel when assailed by temptations. You must therefore, while a boy, learn to rely upon yourself-learn to say 'No' when urged to do wrong. I cannot be with you, but I will daily commit you to the care of God, who is everywhere present, beholding your evil acts as well as your good deeds. Every Sabbath morning, from ten to eleven o'clock, I will spend the hour in prayer for you. Wherever you may be during this blessed hour, when you hear the church bell ringing for the assembling of God's people, let your thoughts carry you to this chamber of death, where your dying mother will be agonizing for you in prayer, Commit to memory the eighth, ninth, and tenth verses of the first chapter of Proverbs. I hear the stage coming. Kiss me; farewell! Now, the last words you will ever hear from my lips are, in the language of Solomon: My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.""

When he finished he and we were all weeping. Involuntarily we opened the ring which we had formed around him. Unmolested, he passed out and went to church. He had stood up for the right against heavy odds; and each of us admired him for doing that which neither of us had the courage to undertake-break away from wicked companions and go to church. He led off

[ocr errors]

without a word; and silently we all followed. Without either one knowing that any other had done so too, each of us managed to throw his cards and flask into the creek, so that by the time we reached the church every pocket was emptied of its former contents. Never again did any of that little company play any games on the Sabbath. Six of the number have gone to their long homes, each a Christian. Only two of us are yet living-George, an able lawyer in Iowa, and your correspondent. Both of us have been Church members for many years.

A PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN.

EMEMBERING that probably one-third of most of our congregations are children, and at least half of the households of believers are children too, we are impressed with the truth that, in whatever office or relationship we stand, if we minister only to adults, and for their sakes alone arrange the order of our solemn assemblies, we are unfaithful to the providence of God who has dotted our plantations so profusely with those tender but pleasant plants. Our preaching and our teaching, our daily walk and our Sabbath talk, should be adapted as much to every age as to every class.

We do not believe it is enough that our school children should have a distinct gallery provided for them, and be allowed to sit in it during three hours on the Lord's-day, when too often the only parts of the service at all fitted to their capacities (at least the younger part of them) are the portions of Scripture read. How often do those of the congregation who are enjoying the ministry themselves, give a thought about its adaptation to the young up aloft, or the others by their side? Is it right to constrain the attendance of so large a part of our congregation, and only address ourselves to the rest who come voluntarily, never having a separate service for the benefit of folk? young

The old Welsh system of devoting one portion of the day to catechetical instruction had many advantages; and though its general introduction now would most likely be resisted as an innovation, might not some modification thereof be at least occasionally permitted? Several wise pastors of the olden time have strongly commended this method. Good John Brown of Haddington wrote, when nearly closing his useful career: "I lament that I have not been more diligent in catechising and exhorting the children in my congregation. I am persuaded that these exercises are some of the best means which ministers can use for the promotion of the welfare of immortal souls; and it would be happy for the Church if the zeal and care of teachers were chiefly manifested about this." Dr. Doddridge uses expressions of like import; and others might be easily summoned to bear the same testimony.

[graphic]
[graphic]
« AnteriorContinua »