Seek for wisdom in commanding.
Firmness in insisting.
We meet time after time at our Mothers’ Meeting, but how few of us are truly converted, and changed in heart.
Ask yourselves this night two questions.
I. Do you earnestly seek your own conversion? ‘What shall it profit you, if you gain the whole world, and lose your own soul?’
Mark, viii. 36, 37.
Delay not. Isa. lix. 1.
II. Do you earnestly seek for the conversion of your children?##
1. Perhaps you do notcarefor it. You do not seekfirstfor them the kingdom of God. Matt. vi. 33. Be honest to yourselves in this matter. Are you ready to give up for them anything that keeps them from Christ?
Matt. v. 29, 30.
2. Perhaps you do notprayfor it.
Observe how the mother prayed. Matt. xv. 22, 28. David. 1 Chron. xxix. 19. Job, i. 5.
3. Perhaps you placehindrancesin the way.
You draw them to the world instead of to Christ. Matt. xviii. 6.
4. Perhaps you forget the necessity of theHoly Spirit’s power. Isa. xliv. 3, 4, 5.
Pray this night for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon yourselves—your husbands—your children. Matt. vii. 11.
Remember, ‘except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Matt. xviii. 3.
God’s penetrating eye. Rev. i 14.
I. He seesall. Prov. v. 21.
Bad and good. Prov. xv. 3.
II.Wheredoes He see you?
1. He sees the motherin secret. Matt. vi. 6.
Each secret prayer—each sigh—each tear.
No privacy from Him. Eccles. xii. 14. Ps. xix. 12. Jer. xxiii. 24.
Many would give worlds to hide from God.
2. In herdaily path. Job, xxxiv. 21. Ps. cxxxix. 3.
3. Inevery circumstance. 2 Chron. xvi. 9.
III.Whatdoes He see?
1. The mother’sheart. Jer. xx. 12. 1 Sam. xvi. 7. Her motives—desires—yearnings.
You may deceiveothers. You may even deceiveyourselves, ‘but all things arenaked, and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.’ Heb. iv. 13. Luke, xvi. 15.
2. The mother’ssins. Ps. xix. 12; xc. 8. Isa. lvii. 18. Amos, v. 12.
Sins of omission and commission.
3. The mother’ssorrows. Exod. iii. 7.
Both inward and outward trials. 2 Kings, xx. 5. Ps. cxlii. 3. Acts, vii. 34.
There are many sorrows it is not well for a wife and mother to speak of to others, but take comfort! Your Saviour knows each grief—each trouble—each tear for your own sins or the sins of others.
4. The mother’sneed. Matt. vi. 8, 32.
And He promises to supply it. Ps. xxiii. 1. Philip, iv. 19.
I. Mothers need a friend!
In joy and in sorrow, in dark hours and in light, in life and in death, theyneed 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 HeyourFriend?
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 Jesusisyour Friend.
1. Go to Him introuble. ‘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 injoy, 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.
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 pronounced 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 aunited 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.
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 bemutualhelps, (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 theymust 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.’
‘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.
2 Cor. i. 24. Rom. xvi. 3.
What comfort andhelpmay be derived from the visits, counsels, and sympathy of a Christian neighbour, a kind and devoted district visitor, or minister.
Especially may Christian friends help each other byprayer. 2 Cor. i. 11. Jam. v. 16, 18. Matt. xviii. 19.
How valuable is a Prayer Union, such as we have connected with our Mothers’ Meeting.
III. But lastly remember that these ‘helps’ are worth nothing unless you havethe Lord for your Helper. Ps. liv. 4. Heb. xiii. 6. Exod. xviii. 4.
He is different to any earthly helper, for He is a Helper at all times, and in all circumstances.
In trouble. Ps. xlvi. 1.
To the widow. Ps. lxviii. 5.
To the fatherless. Ps. x. 14.
Take, therefore, this short prayer and use it in your daily life, ‘Lord, beThoumy helper.’ Lift up this prayer in the midst of your work—of temptation—of trial, and you will be enabled to add, ‘My heart trusted in Him, andI am helped!’ Ps. xxviii. 7.
A mother may not have much time for instruction, or be very capable of teaching, but she should make it her daily duty to give her children some instruction in the Scriptures. She may know but little herself, but let not this discourage her; for in watering others she shall herself be watered. Prov. xi. 25.
I. Teach, seeking the help of the Holy Spirit. Isa. liv. 13. John, xvi. 13. Luke, xii. 12. Job, xxxvi. 22. Ps. xciv. 12.
II. Teach in the spirit of prayer.
Eph. vi. 18, 19.
Remembering these words, ‘Without Me ye can do nothing.’ John, xv. 5.
III. Teach, leaning on the promise.
Isa. lv. 10, 11. Eccles. xi. 1, 6.
IV. Teach, expecting a result.
Ps. cxxvi. 6. Prov. xxii. 6. Gen. xviii. 19. 2 Tim. i. 5; iii. 15.
The following circumstance took place not long after the last meeting. Two mothers, who were both present at the Class, about a fortnight after met in the Cemetery, sorrowing at their children’s graves. Each had during that interval lost a child, but not having heard of each other’s trouble, the meeting was unexpected.
On this occasion the following subject was taken.
I. The parting place—the child’s death-bed. This is,
1. A parting place.
All must die alone. The mother may have watched over her child with untiring care during its years of infancy, the trials of youth, and the snares and cares of riper years, but here theymust part. 2 Sam. xii. 15, 23.
2. A weeping place. Gen. xxi. 16.
2 Sam. xii. 21. Jer. xxxi. 15.
Mark, v. 38. Luke, vii. 13. Notwrong, for Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. John, xi. 35.
3. A birth place
To a new and heavenly life. But not so toall. Tosome, namely, to those who have indeed been born again. Luke, xvi. 22; and to babes. Isa. xl. 11.
Contrast David’s sorrow for his infant, (2 Sam. xii. 23) with his sorrow for Absalom, 2 Sam. xix. 4. To one death was the door oflife, to the other ofdeath.
II. The meeting place—the judgment-seat. Rev. xx. 12. Rom. xiv. 10.
You cannot avoid it.
It will be.
1. To all a place of recognition.
The child you led to Christ—the child you led astray. The child you trained for heaven—the child you trained for hell.Allwill be there.
2. To many a place of weeping. Matt. xxv. 30. Luke, vi. 25.
3. To many a place of rejoicing. Matt. xxv. 34.
Believing mother! Your night of weeping will then be over, your morning of joy will dawn, of which the sun will never set! Ps. xxx. 5.
Which will it be to you—a meeting-place of joy or sorrow?
May you and your children be so united in Christ here, that you may both part and meet in peace!
On the occasion of the death of a young mother, which took place not long after the first meeting in the new year.
I. How near it may be. 1 Sam. xx. 3. Job, xxi. 13.
In the midst of life we are in death.
We have had a solemn lesson. Almost the youngest in our class cut down the first.
II. The hour of death is an hour
1. Of deep solemnity.
It is a dark valley. Ps. xxiii. 4. Job. x. 21.
2. Of much regret.
Conscience awake, looks back on duties undone—things done—words spoken—words unsaid, &c.
3. Often of great suffering. Ps. cxvi. 3.
Not the time to begin to seek the Lord.
4. Of parting. Philip, i. 23, 24.
Must die alone. Must leave husbandand children. They may go with you to the edge of the river, but no further.
5. Of weeping. Gen. xxxv. 18; xxiii. 2. John, xi. 31. 2 Sam. xix. 4.
6. It is an hour when Christ, andChrist alone, can save you.
Thus we pray, ‘In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord, deliver us.’
His rod and staff alone can help you. Ps. xxiii. 4.
He alone can take away the sting from death. 1 Cor. xv. 55, 57. Rom. viii. 38, 39. Isa. xliii. 2.
It is only if washed in His blood, and clothed in His righteousness, that you need not fear to appear before God.
‘I must work the work of Him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.’—John, ix. 4.Timepast—is gone, thou canst not it recall.Timeis—thou hast, improve the portion small.Timefuture—is not, and may never be.Timepresent—is the only time for thee!
‘I must work the work of Him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.’—John, ix. 4.
Timepast—is gone, thou canst not it recall.Timeis—thou hast, improve the portion small.Timefuture—is not, and may never be.Timepresent—is the only time for thee!
Therefore,
I.Hear to-day. (Ps. xcv. 7.) ‘See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh.’
Exhort to-dayyour children. (Heb. iii. 13.)
Work to-day(John, ix. 4) for your children’s souls.
Never postpone. Jam. iv. 13. 2 Cor. vi. 2.
Nowit is high time to wake out of sleep. Rom. xiii. 11.
II. Because thenightcometh when no man can work. John, ix. 4.
The night ofyourdeath—yourhusband’sdeath—yourchildren’sdeath.
Perhaps this sentence has gone forth against you, or yours, ‘This year thou shalt die.’ Jer. xxviii. 16.
Luke, xii. 20; xiii. 7.
Mothers,awake! to your own, and your children’s danger.
Awaketo the importance of safety in Christ.
Mothers,work! for yourselves, for your families.
‘Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.’ John, vi. 27.
I. Look backwards on the past year.
1. On yoursins.
They are many—great—mighty. You need forgiveness, and Christ isreadyto forgive. Neh. ix. 17. Make this your prayer for the past year, ‘Lord, pardon mine iniquity, forit is great.’ Ps. xxv. 11.
On your sins towards yourhusbands. Provocation—temper—carelessness of their comfort—an unyielding spirit. Again must you say, ‘Pardon mine iniquity, for it isgreat.’
On your sins towards yourchildren. Neglect—bad example—prayerlessness—cross tempers—hasty slaps. Again you must say, ‘Pardon mine iniquity, for it isgreat.’
2. On yoursorrows.
Poverty—sickness—death. Yet your sorrows not so many as your sins. How have you been helped through them! Have youprofited? Heb. xii. 10. God has been teaching you, have you learnt the lesson?
3. On your mercies.
You can count your sorrows. Try and count your mercies, they are more than can be numbered. Ps. xl. 5. How undeserved they were! You have counted your days of sickness—have you those of health? Your hours of mourning—have you those of joy? Your children taken—have you counted your children spared? &c., &c. Were you thankful? Gen. xxxii. 10.
II. Look forward on the opening year.
On what? Can you tell?
How uncertain, you know not what will be even on the morrow. Jam. iv. 4. Prov. xxvii. 1. Who will be taken? Whose husband? Whose child?
You know not.
Therefore, ‘be ye also ready, for in such an hour as yethink notthe Son of Man cometh.’ Matt. xxiv. 44.
Canyousay, ‘Even so come, Lord Jesus,come quickly?’
God has been speaking to us during the past year. Two mothers have gone to their long home, and ten of our children. Let us reply, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.’ 1 Sam. iii. 9.
God speaks to us from the cradle, and the grave.
I. From thecradle, and says,
1. ‘Take this child, and nurse it forme.’ Exod. ii. 9.
2. Pray for it—train it—love it—comfort it.
3. He speaks in a voice ofcomfortfrom our cradles to our souls, if we are His people. ‘Mother, can you forget this sucking child? Yea, youmayforget, yet will not I forget you.’ Isa. xlix. 15.
Again—Do you comfort your babe—do you soothe its fears? do you wipe its tears? Even so, believing mother, will God comfort you. Isa. lxvi. 13. Yes, even ‘wipe away all tears from your eyes.’
Oh! precious voice from the cradle to your soul!
II. God speaks from thegrave—and says,
1. ‘Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayst be no longer steward.’ Luke, xvi. 2.
2. ‘Time is short.’
1 Cor. vii. 29. 1 Pet. iv. 7.
What a little life—gone as a spark!
You may die—your children may die—or Christ may come. Do not say, ‘to-morrow.’ Jam. iv. 13.
3. ‘Be ye also ready.’
Matt. xxiv. 44.
4. Your child shall rise again.
‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ John, xi. 25. (See Burial Service.) Jer. xxxi. 16, 17.
If both parent and child are in Christ, what a blessed reunion, for He adds, ‘Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shallnever die!’
If it should be the Lord’s will during the coming year again to take many of our little ones from their mothers’ arms, and to lay them in His own bosom, may each sorrowing one amongst us be enabled to say in the spirit of true and loving submission, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;blessed be the name of the Lord!’
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No. 1. Give an Account of thy Stewardship.
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5. Parental Affection.
6. Cast thy Burden upon the Lord.
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