Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 47, 1 May 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by ihe Whakata

MOTHERS DAY (MAY 7th) "All good women —whether mothers or not —are motherly; and it is by their motherliness that they win our hearts." MOTHERHOOD (A Woman's Prayer for the Child to Come) Oh God, I am going down lo find a little soul, a thing that shall be mine, as no other thing in a.l th\s world has been mine. Keep mc for my child's life. Bring me through my hour strong and well, for the sake of my baby. Prepare me l'oi real motherhood. Preserve my mind from doubts and worries and all fearsome misgivings that I may not stain my thoughts with cowardice for my child's sake. Drive all angers and impurities, all low and unworthy feelings from me, and when he lies in my arms and draws his life from me and when his eyes look up to mine te< learn what this new life is, like, "I pledge Thee, my child shall find reverence in me, and no fear, and no shame, but love strong as life and death, with no hates, nor petulances. God make my baby love me. I a,sik no endowments, nor excellencies for my child, but only that the place ol motherhood, once given me, it may never be taken from me. As long as the soul that shall bring forth lives let' there be in it, one secret shrine that shall always be "Mothers." Got give my child a right and cleaj mind and a warm free soul. I promise Thee that I shall study th< child, and seek to find what gifts anc graces Thou hast implanted and t( develop them. I shall respect th< child's personality. I am but Thy little one, Father. I fold my hand: and put them between thy 7 hands, : say "Please I beseech Thee give m< a normal baby, and make me a normal Mother."—Amen. —Copied from an old cutting o over 20 years ago. THE SHRINE AT MOTHER'S KNEI r have worshipped in churches am chapels; I've prayed in the busy street: I have sought my God and found hii Where the waves of his ocean beat I have knelt in the silent forest In the shade of some ancient tre But the dearest of all my altars Was raised on my Mother's' Knee [ have listened to God in his temple I've caught his voice in the erowc' 1 have heard him speak when th breakers Were booming long and loud; Were the Avinds play soft in th tree-tops My 7 Father has talked to me; But I've never heard him clearer Than I did at my Mother's Knee

ne Mini-st ers' Association).

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

The things in my life that arc worthy Were bom in my mother's breast, And breathed into mine by the magic j Of the love her life expressed. I The y r ears that have brought me to! manhood Have taken her far from mc; But memory' keeps me from stray T ing Too far from my Mother's Knee-. God make me the man of her vision And purge me of selfishness! God keep me true to her standards And help me to live to; bless! God hallow the holy impress Of the days that used to be, And keep mc a pilgrim forever To the shrine at my Mother's Knee! -—John H. Styles, Jr.

WHAT HOME IS

(A message to both husbands and wives) Home is the centre of human life. It represents life at its best and fullest. The family is the standard and unit of the nation. It is Godjordained and hence necessary. The church and school contribute to the home. The store and shop supply the home. The land supplies the home. The teacher, editor, entertainer, book-writer contribute to the home. Who makes the home? Mother? No. Father? No*. The children? No. None alone; but all the factors; all contribute, all invest, and all draw dividends. Home is an insurance company with happiness for dividends, payable in this life. It is a theatre where all concerned are actors; "all for one and one for all." : It is a school of discipline. It is a 1 reward of merit, daily.. It Is a bank, and pays better interest than any ether bank. Its ' currency is kindness. It is a city of refuge from the ! world with its cares, its duties, its obligations. It is a community 7 centre, with daily meetings, a unit of social life. It is an employment office. It assigns a job to each member of the home. ' It is an equalisation board, adjust' ing differences and friction. It is a committee of ways and 1 means. The committee is always in session. It is a haven of rest, a shelter in the time of storm. ; It is the centre of the world's history. The truly wise and great grew z up under training in the home, before they Avent forth to battle fofr some-great cause. . • :.! You began life in.a home. Yc>u 5 were trained in a hcrane/,, You rev ? celved religious impressions in 'a 6 home. You went out Into the world from" a home. You established £ home. You are earning an income 0 to- maintain .your home. As your children grow up, they w 7 ill go forth to secure a living to get a home, for the home is the - centre of human interest.