The Christian Mother Part 4

Exod. xvi. 29. Isa. lviii. 13.

Not esteemed to be such, unless G.o.d's service felt to be a _delight_.

Others say, 'When will the Sabbath be gone?' Amos, viii. 5.

Let there be no gloom in the home, but a cheerful sobriety.

4. A _profitable_ day.

Though _rest_, not _idleness_. Children are always happiest when their minds are employed.

To profit pay great attention to Public Wors.h.i.+p, Deut. x.x.xi. 12, 13.

Acts, xiii. 42; xvi. 13; xviii. 4. Heb. x. 25.

Observe our Lord's example. Luke, iv. 16.

The Sunday School is a great help to the poor mother.

Cultivate religious occupation. _e.g._ Find texts-repeat hymns-sing hymns, &c.

III. Observe the promise.

Isa. lvi. 27: lviii. 13, 14.

XI. COMPANIONS.

I. Danger of bad companions.

One bad companion corrupts many. 'A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.' 1 Cor. v. 6.

'Evil communications corrupt good manners.' 1 Cor. xv. 33.

Eph. v. 11. Prov. xxii. 24, 25.

You are warned in the Scriptures against making companions of:

1. Fools. Prov. xiii. 20.

2. Riotous. Prov. xxviii. 7.

3. Thieves. Isa. i. 23.

4. Depraved. Prov. xxix. 3. 1 Cor. v. 9.

5. Irreligious. 2 Thess. iii. 14. Jam. iv. 4.

If important for yourselves, doubly so for the young, unformed minds of your children.

II. Form good friends.h.i.+ps.

'The friends.h.i.+p of the world is enmity with G.o.d.' Jam. iv. 4.

David chose his friends from those who feared G.o.d. Ps. cxix. 63. Heb.

x. 33.

III. Observe three rules for the sake of your _children_, as well as _yourselves_.

1. Never harbour bad guests.

Lodgers-workpeople.

2. Never a.s.sociate with the wicked, unless obliged to do so, or with a view to doing them good.

Even this needs caution.

3. Remember, 'A man is known by his friends.'

You and your children will be judged by the company you keep.

XII. SLOTH.

I. The command to be diligent is plain. Rom. xii. 11. 2 Thess. iii.

10, 11.

II. See the miserable results of sloth.

1. It leads to tattling. 1 Tim. v. 13.

2. Decay. Eccles. x. 18.

3. Difficulties. Prov. xv. 19.

4. Waste. Prov. xviii. 9.

5. Want. Prov. xx. 4; xxiv. 30, 34.

III. Contrast excellent woman (Prov. x.x.xi. 27) with the slothful person.

Prov. xix. 24; xxiv. 30; x. 26.

IV. Learn a lesson from the ant for yourselves-for your children. Prov.

vi. 6, &c.