THOMAS, REMEMBER THAT I AM YOUR MOTHER."
THE late Dr. Chalmers was in his boyhood of a hasty temper, and self-willed. He often wished to have his own way, even when his parents' wishes were different. His mother was a woman of few words, but from her lips a few were enough to check him. It is said that she seldom had occasion to say to him at such times more than this sentence: "Thomas, remember that I am your mother."
Whether the mother says it or not, the child should "remember" that he owes obedience and reverence to both his parents. He should ask no questions why or wherefore.
The commandment is, "Honor thy father and thy mother." It is not said that he is to honor them at such times as are convenient to him, but he is always to be respectful to father and mother, and attentive to their advice and their commands.
God has so ordered. Just as he has said, "Remember the Sabbath-day," he has said, "Remember the fifth commandment." When the Sabbath comes, what we have to do is to remember to keep it holy. We have no right to say we will keep it only when we choose to do so. It is the Sabbath; that is enough.
"He is my father;" "she is my mother." This is enough for any child or youth to know. "They command; I must cheerfully obey. I know what will please them; I must try to do it. I know what offends them; I must try to avoid it. I must remember what my parents have done for me. I must remember their age and experience as compared with mine. I must remember how anxious they are for my good, and how much their happiness depends on my conduct."
Selected.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR ROOM?
A LOOK into the chamber of a boy or girl will give one an idea of what kind of man or woman 'he or she will probably become. A boy who keeps his clothes hung up neatly, or a girl whose room is always neat, will be apt to make a successful man or women. Order and neatness are essential to our comfort, as well as that of others about us.
A boy who throws down his cap or boots any-where will never keep his accounts in shape, will do things in a slovenly, careless way, and not be long wanted in any position. A girl who does not make her bed till after dinner,—and she should always make it herself, rather than have a servant do it—and throws her dress or bonnet down on a chair, will make a poor wife in nine cases out of ten. If the world could see how a girl keeps her dressing-room, some unhappy marriages would be saved.
Congregationalist.