Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 209

"For whom the Lord _loveth_ He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Heb. 12:6.

NOTE.-From this we may learn that all child training should be done in love, and that proper child training is an evidence of true love.

13. Against what evil should fathers guard?

"Fathers, _provoke not your children to anger_, lest they be discouraged."

Col. 3:21.

NOTE.-Correction should never be given in anger, for anger in the parent stirs up anger in the child. It is well to pray with a child before correcting him, and frequently mild but faithful instruction, admonition, and prayer are all the training necessary,-are, in fact, the best training that can be given. But in any case of perverseness, stubbornness, or wilful disobedience, the correction, whatever it may be, should be persisted in until the child yields submissively to the will and wishes of the parent. It is best, generally, that correction should be done in private, as this tends to preserve the self-respect of the child, a very important element in character building. No correction nor training should be violent or abusive, or given for the purpose of breaking the will of the child, but rather to direct the will, bring it into proper subjection, and the child to a realizing sense of what is right and duty.

14. How are the present effects and future results of chastis.e.m.e.nt contrasted?

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but _grievous_: nevertheless afterward _it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness_ unto them which are exercised thereby." Heb. 12:11.

15. What question must every unfaithful parent meet?

"Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" Jer. 13:20.

NOTE.-Happy will those parents be who can say, "Behold, here am I and the children Thou gavest me." See Isa. 8:18.

The oldest university was not on India's strand, Nor in the valley of the Nile, nor on Arabia's sand; From time's beginning it has taught and still it teaches free Its learning mild to every child-the school of Mother's Knee.

The oldest school to teach the law, and teach it deeply, too, Dividing what should not be done from what each one should do, Was not in Rome nor Ispahan nor by the Euxine Sea; But it held its sway ere history's day-the school of Mother's Knee.

The oldest seminary, where theology was taught, Where love to G.o.d, and reverent prayer, and the Eternal Ought Were deep impressed on youthful hearts in pure sincerity, Came to the earth with Abel's birth-the school of Mother's Knee.

The oldest, and the newest, too, it still maintains its place, And from its cla.s.ses, ever full, it graduates the race.

Without its teaching, where would all the best of living be?

'Twas planned by heaven this earth to leaven-the school of Mother's Knee.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Christ And His Mother. "Blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28, 42.

The Mother

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Manoah's Sacrifice. "How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?" Judges 13:12.

1. WHY did Adam call his wife's name Eve?

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve: _because she was the mother of all living_." Gen. 3:20.

NOTE.-It is said that the three sweetest words in any language are mother, home, and heaven.

2. What did G.o.d say to Abraham concerning his wife, Sarah?

"And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and _she shall be a mother of nations_; kings of people shall be of her." Gen. 17:16.

3. What commandment guards the honor of the mother?

"Honor thy father and thy _mother_." Ex. 20:12.

4. How early did Hannah dedicate her son Samuel to G.o.d?

"And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed ...

give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life." 1 Sam. 1:11.

5. To whom did G.o.d commit the care and early training of His only begotten Son?

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with _Mary His mother_, and fell down, and worshiped Him." Matt. 2:11.

6. Under the influence of her tender care and faithful instruction, what is said of the child life of Jesus?

"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of G.o.d was upon Him.... And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with G.o.d and man." Luke 2:40-52.

NOTES.-"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

"A mother is a mother still, The holiest thing on earth."

A Christian mother, above all others, can deeply implant and faithfully cherish the seeds of truth in the young and tender heart. More even than the father, the mother molds the life, character, and destiny of man. Every stage and phase of life is touched and influenced by her. Infancy, childhood, youth, manhood, and old age alike center in her. She is both the morning and the evening star of life,-the angel spirit of the home.

7. What tender, filial regard did Christ manifest for His mother in the hour of His death?

"When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved [John], He saith unto His mother, _Woman, behold thy son!_ Then saith He to the disciple, _Behold thy mother!_ And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:26, 27.

8. How early did Timothy know the Scriptures?

"And that _from a child_ thou hast known the Holy Scriptures." 2 Tim.