2 Cor. i. 24. Rom. xvi. 3.
What comfort and _help_ may 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 by _prayer_. 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 have _the 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 circ.u.mstances.
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, be _Thou_ my 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, and _I am helped_!" Ps. xxviii. 7.
XXV. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.
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, x.x.xvi. 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.
XXVI. THE PARTING PLACE, AND THE MEETING PLACE.
The following circ.u.mstance took place not long after the last meeting.
Two mothers, who were both present at the Cla.s.s, 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 they _must part_. 2 Sam.
xii. 15, 23.
2. A weeping place. Gen. xxi. 16.
2 Sam. xii. 21. Jer. x.x.xi. 15.
Mark, v. 38. Luke, vii. 13. Not _wrong_, for Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. John, xi. 35.
3. A birth place
To a new and heavenly life. But not so to _all_. To _some_, 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 of _life_, to the other of _death_.
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 h.e.l.l. _All_ will 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. x.x.x. 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!