Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 3.pdf/219

 to her own wants! It may be that the mother is called upon to bend over the form of a departed child. She cannot but feel the bereavement, even though the child has winged its flight to that bright sphere for which she had been preparing it. The eye is closed in death; and the innocence of its gaze, bespeaking angel-like thoughts, is for ever darkened. The mother reflects on the fond, confiding manners of her child, when she was to it its entire world; but she reflects, also, that the real child is living; that it is under the guardianship and the instruction of the angels in a world where crime can never come. The true consolation of religion will then be afforded, and her heart, in humble and grateful resignation, will acknowledge that children are types of innocence, and that of such is the kingdom of heaven. But if children are spared to reward her maternal love by their love and gratitude—if the temper has been moulded in virtue, and the angry, but momentary, ebullitions of passion have been subdued by her gentleness—then does she experience inward joy and elevation of soul: "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

It is impossible to conceive the amount of good which would result to society, were all mothers to take the active superintendence of their families, and not leave so much to be done by assistants. But let fathers remember that they also have part in the work—they are the ministers of their own houses. What the mother insinuates by her love, the father is to strengthen and confirm by his wisdom, and it is the duty of both to seek to secure the happiness of those whom the Lord has given them.