Page:The Mothers of England.djvu/91

86 they reap, what more entire fulfilment of their hopes, what reward more precious for "all their sorrows, all their cares," than to see their children happy in them, and in each other? so living in harmony and love on earth, as to sustain the hope of their again becoming a united family in heaven?

All this, however, and it is not too much for maternal love with the divine blessing to accomplish, is chiefly to be learned in early life, and at home, where that great lesson should be studiously taught, that individual gratification ought never to be sought in opposition to general good. This is the grand secret of social happiness; and we should begin well, by making it an habitual lesson at home, in order that it may be carried out into all the relations formed in after life.

It is a part of the mother's duly, then, and one to which especial attention should be paid, to see that a spirit of exclusiveness does not find place among her children; and this can only be done effectually by inspiring them with comprehensive, generous, and affectionate feelings toward each other, so that no single member of the family shall esteem any happiness as complete, in which the others do not partake.

Human nature is deeply charged with selfishness. There is no complaint more frequently made than that of selfishness being the ruling motive of mankind in general. But granting this to be true, I believe much of the evil is chargeable upon the carelessness of mothers in the early training of their children; for sure I am, that no one ever yet was made to experience the value of disinterested kindness, who did not find in its exercise, a higher, purer happiness, than in the mere gratification of selfish inclination. If, then, a family of children are so trained by their mother, as to seek their truest enjoyment in making each other happy, they will not be likely, after having tasted this purer satisfaction, ever to descend again to those lower aims which centre all in self as the supreme object of regard.

One great means of promoting this union of interest in