A few years ago while my family and my parents where vacationing in Shipshewanna Ind., I purchased a book of writings and poetry called The Mother's Legacy, by D.H. Weaver. Below the Publishing information it states that the book will never be for sale in any book store. I have collected antique books for years and have never read that before. This book was published in 1908. There are beautiful pictures within the book and many good stories and poems. There is an unusual amount of the wrtings dealing with death, possibly reflecting the author having just lost his own beloved mother.
Here is the ending of a poem with words that made me stop and think this morning:
....... Oh, a mother's mission is holy,
And she must be holy, too,
Or sadly fail in performing
The work God gives her to do.
So while I am sweeping and scrubbing,
And cleaning dust from the paint,
In my heart I am earnestly praying
To be clean of sin and its taint
While the farmer goes to his planting,
The mother by looks and tone
Is sowing in soil just as certain
To yield of the seed she has sown.
The work that she does may be lowly,
But angels are watching her life;
The love of the Savior sustaineth
Each faithful mother and wife.
It is interesting to note that in the begining of the book the author writes:
Man covers the face of the earth with his achievements and his triumphs, while woman develops the heart of the world, and leads it into paths of pleasantness and peace. Fatherhood implies kingly strength, conquest, and guidance in material things, while Motherhood wears the royal purple of queen in the domain of the home, affections, the pure loves, and undying hopes and dear memories that inspire and guide our lives.
Interesting and beauitful thoughts from nearly 100 years ago.
We have been studying poetry the last few weeks and I hope to share more this week as I am able.
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