THE MOTHER'S INFLUENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 86, 31 May 1911, Page 6

THE MOTHER'S INFLUENCE.

LADY b:>LiALTON’S VIEWS. i TRAINING' THE CHILDREN. 1 j Tim annual social of tho Si;. Matthew’s Mothers’ Union, Auckland, held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, the vicar (Rev. W. E. Giliam) presiding, was attended by Lady Islington, who gave an interesting address on “The Profession of Motherhood.” Her Excellency was attended by Colonel Hugh Bcscawen, lion, aido-dc-camp to' the Governor, and Miss Stapleton Cotton. On the platform wore Airs Crossloy, wife of the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Airs Gilium and several other ladies. “As the sun gives colour to the flowers, so tho mother’s influence colours tho character of her children,” said Lady. Islington in opening her address. Her Excellency proceeded to dwell upon the responsibility of motherhood, which she opined was not. perhaps, always sufficiently realised. In training tho child onoi trained oneself. Lady Islington discerned more harm in teaching the doctrines of Christianity than in not, teaching them, Unless one lived its precepts in one’s own life,- such as by never showing irritation or impatience,- and never being, by even a shadow, unjust. There were no such critics, observers, and judges as little children. They were quick to sum up character, and to see the slightest inconsistency and unfairness. dm I'iX'-eilc-Ticy went on to deprecate hastiness towards children on the part of parents. She approved of unions where mothers could meet and give each other help. The power of the example of parents i was shown in their most intimate daily life, all the more so if they Juki a sense of religion, accompanied; by a tender, wise, happy and self-control-led life. But. they must go together. "Xt is no good diving," .remarked Lady Islington, “if you can’t swim. Religion, as I understand it, is to believe so much in goodness vfcifdt, you can see no badness, and to;-create such an atmosphere of gentleness and faith in the host, around you that wicked, jealous, suspicious, irritable thoughts cannot live in your neighbourhood. Of course it is very difficult for a wife and manager of a household, because daily lite seems to encourage irritability, as the rain makes weeds grow. I find my only liopo is to take each day by itscll—.to say, T am going to do my host all to-day.’ It seems nothing by tho day. " However old one grows ono never stops . making good resolutions —and breaking them." here in New Zealand. Her Excellency went on, mothers had an extra task—to teach their children respect and admiration for heredity and antiquity. They nlso hud to touch thoiu that the truest independence was a capability for obedience, and that the greatest, dignity was to be able to show loyalty, courtesy, and veneration. Another lesspii to tench .tho children was that without ideals life; Was unlovely. Mothers should imperceptibly demonstrate to their olispring that the truest goodness v. as practical, and lived in every smallest action ot our daily life. Iu conclusion Lady Islington hade her hearers remember that a mother was the I holiest thing alive.”