What an important work is that of mothers! And yet we hear them sighing for missionary work! If they could only go to some foreign country, they would feel that they were doing something worth while. But to take up the daily duties of the home life and carry them forward, seems to them like an exhausting and thankless task. And why?—Because so often the mother's work is not appreciated. She has a thousand cares and burdens of which no one knows. When her husband comes home at night, he frequently brings with him the cares of his business. He forgets that his wife has any care, and if things in the home do not exactly suit him, he speaks impatiently, and sometimes harshly.AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 1

The mother has perhaps done her very utmost to keep things running smoothly. She has tried to speak kindly to the children, and this has cost her an effort. It has taken much patience to keep the children busy and happy. But she can not speak of what she has done as some great achievement. It seems as if she had done almost nothing. But it is not so. Heavenly angels watch the care-worn mother, noting the burdens she carries day by day. Her name may not have been heard in the world, but it is written in the Lamb's book of life. The mother occupies a position more exalted than that of the king upon his throne.AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 2

There is a God above, and the light and glory which shine from his throne rest upon the tired mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of evil.AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 3

The husband should appreciate the work of his wife. When he enters the home in the evening, he should leave his business cares outside. He should enter the home with smiles and pleasant words. If the wife feels that she can lean upon the large affections of her husband, that his arm will sustain her, that his voice will be heard in encouragement, her work will lose half its dread.AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 4

Christ loves the children. He watches mothers to see if they are forming the characters of their little ones according to the perfect pattern. When he was upon this earth, mothers brought their children to him, thinking that if they were to receive his blessing, they would be more easily trained in the way of God. When these mothers came, the disciples rebuked them; but Christ knew why they had come. He knew that they were expecting a Saviour's blessing, and, drawing the children to him, he said to the disciples, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.”AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 5

Parents, take time to establish in your children correct appetites and habits. Take them into the open air, and point them to the beautiful things of nature. Teach them that in each leaf they can trace the wonderful power and love of God. Tell them that God's hand paints the color on every flower. Teach them to look to God for strength. Tell them that he hears their prayers. Teach them to overcome evil with good. Teach them to exert an influence that is elevating and ennobling. Lead them to unite with God, and then they will have strength to resist the strongest temptation. They will then receive the reward of the overcomer.AUGleaner May 21, 1902, par. 6

Mrs. E. G. White

May 14, 1902

August 20, 1902