The Value of a Praying Mother | Page 5

Saul she brought forth some excellent
lessons on disobedience. She told the children that, although they might
think when tempted to disobey that nobody saw them, yet there was
one whose eye was ever beholding their deeds, whether good or bad.
Then she knelt in prayer with her children, praying with a full heart to
that God who is everywhere present and from whom all our strength
must come, that he would teach her how to guide the precious souls
entrusted to her care.
CHAPTER IV.
GOD'S CARE.
Considering this mother's deep piety, do you think it strange that she
saw God's hand in everything that befell her, and ascribed praise to him
for it all?
After the return of the family to their home in Chicago the father
became very ill. His sickness was so severe and so long continued that
poverty began to threaten them. Mr. Worthington could not take the
resigned view of their circumstances that his wife took, but often gave
way to complaining. But Mrs. Worthington thanked God that things
were no worse and ever encouraged her husband with the promises that
God would provide.
At last Christmas morning came and found them in extreme poverty.
Mr. Worthington still weak from his illness, but able to go around a
little, came in from his morning walk very gloomy and feeling that his
friends were very few. "This is the saddest Christmas I have ever
known," he said to Mrs. Worthington. "It is almost more than I can bear
to know that I have nothing to give the children today, and barely
enough in the house to eat. I did not realize it so keenly until I saw an
old man trudging along Thirty-first Street with a large pack upon his
back. That man was surely going to surprise some of his friends. How
much we need a friend like that!" "Never mind," said Mrs. Worthington

softly; "God has promised to be a friend in time of need, and I believe
he will care for us today."
As she finished speaking, a rap was heard at the door. Mr. Worthington
arose slowly, wondering who could be their early caller. When he
opened the door, he was greatly surprised to see the aged man with the
pack and to find him to be his own father. Mr. Worthington had entered
the house too soon to see his father turn the corner and enter the yard.
As the large burden was laid upon the floor and unpacked, there
seemed to be no end to the good things. A turkey, cake, pies, in fact, all
that was needful for a generous Christmas dinner, as well as a gift for
each one. It was a very thankful family that gathered around the table
that day.
CHAPTER V.
CONSECRATION.
In regard to her children, Mrs. Worthington had passed through a deep
consecration. She fully realized that they were only lent her by the Lord,
entrusted to her care to be trained for usefulness in his service, and she
was determined to do all in her power to prepare them as the Lord
intended. In all sincerity, she had placed her children upon the altar of
consecration, promising God never to let her will interfere with his
designs concerning them.
I do not think a child of God ever makes a consecration that is not
tested in some form or other. This mother's consecration was tested.
A wealthy aunt, having lost all her children and being very lonely,
thought to fill the vacancy in her heart and home by adopting a little
child. After several vain attempts to find a suitable child, she sought the
home of her niece, Mrs. Worthington. She came with many misgivings.
When she made her errand known, her niece said: "Auntie, my children
are no longer mine; I have given them to the Lord, and whatever is his
will concerning them shall be mine. You will have to obtain my
husband's consent." Thus far Aunt A. was delighted with her success,

and she eagerly sought the father. She tried to point out to Mrs.
Worthington, who was heartbroken at the prospect of losing her child,
how abundantly able she (the aunt) was to provide for the child and
spoke of the extreme poverty of the Worthington home. The mother
knew all this, but she knew too that God's Spirit does not always rule in
wealthy homes. Would she do right to let her child slip from under her
parental care? Many thoughts of this nature surged through her brain,
and many temptations to say no came to her; but instead of giving a
decisive answer she sought counsel from the all-wise Counselor. While
in prayer she thought of faithful Abraham's trial regarding Isaac, and
she felt that God was