The Christian Mother Part 9

4. The mother's _need_. Matt. vi. 8, 32.

And He promises to supply it. Ps. xxiii. 1. Philip, iv. 19.

XXII. JESUS THE MOTHER'S FRIEND.

I. Mothers need a friend!

In joy and in sorrow, in dark hours and in light, in life and in death, they need a Friend who is always the same-even 'the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.'

II. You may have such a Friend.

1. Even Jesus. Prov. xviii. 24. John, xv. 15. The Friend of sinners. Matt. xi. 19.

2. He loveth always. Prov. xvii. 17.

3. He is faithful. Prov. xviii. 24. John, xiii. 1.

III. Is He _your_ Friend?

Can you point to Jesus and say, 'This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend?' Cant. v. 16.

If not, do not rest until you can say so.

IV. If Jesus _is_ your Friend.

1. Go to Him in _trouble_. 'Pour out your heart before Him.' John, xi.

3, 11.

In sorrow lean on His bosom, as John did. John, xiii. 23.

'He weeps with those who weep.'

2. Go to Him in _joy_, for He 'rejoices with those who do rejoice.'

3. Do not have hard thoughts of Him because He afflicts.

'Faithful are the wounds of a friend.' Prov. xxvii. 6. Ps. cxli. 5.

He sympathises in every sorrow. Heb. iv. 15.

And has borne your griefs. Isa. liii. 4.

XXIII. HELPS FOR MOTHERS.

1.

A mother has many hindrances in seeking Christ. She needs much help from the means of grace. To obtain this is often difficult, and requires much effort. Outward means are, therefore, too often neglected. If you would grow in grace this must not be.

Be diligent, therefore, in the use of-

I. Daily prayer. Matt. vi. 6, 11.

No business should prevent this. David had the business of a kingdom upon him, nevertheless, he says, 'Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray.' Ps. lv. 17.

II. Daily Scripture reading. Acts, xvii. 11. Ps. cxix. 103.

III. Family prayer.

Judgment p.r.o.nounced on those who neglect family religion. Jer. x. 25.

Promise to united prayer. Matt. xviii. 19, 20.

IV. Attendance on the public means of grace.

Observe the command. Deut. xii. 12, 18. Heb. x. 25.

What a blessing rested on it in the case of Lydia. Acts, xvi. 13, 15.

There are great difficulties to the mother of a young family in going to Church on Sunday, but make an effort to overcome them. This can generally be done if husband and wife make a _united effort_.

If you are truly hungering and thirsting after righteousness, you will earnestly use every means for obtaining the bread and the water of life. If you are careless in this respect, it is because there is no real hunger, no craving of soul for heavenly food.

XXIV. HELPS FOR MOTHERS.

2.

We will notice this evening three more things which are, or ought to be, 'helps' to mothers on the heavenly race.

I. Husbands and wives should be _mutual_ helps, (see Marriage Service) 'for the mutual help and comfort the one of the other.'

Gen. ii. 18. 1 Pet. iii. 7. Eph. v. 28, 29.

Fellow-pilgrims, fellow-sufferers, fellow-travellers they _must be_; but what an unspeakable joy is it when they are also fellow-helpers, fellow-labourers, fellow-heirs, fellow-citizens!

'O happy house, where man and wife are one, Thro' love of Thee, in spirit, heart, and mind; Together joined by holy bands, which none, Not death itself, can sever or unbind; Where both on thee unfailingly depend, In weal and woe, in good and evil days, And hope with Thee eternity to spend; In sweet communion and eternal praise.'

II. Christian friends.