The Value of a Praying Mother | Page 8

knowledge of God and spiritual life that would have taken
her many, many years to comprehend had she been left to herself.
Mrs. Worthington was surprised and pleased to note Bessie's
confidence in her mother's teaching. One day, in answer to the assertion
of a little neighbor girl that Louise was not alive, but dead and buried,
Bessie said, "I know Sister's body is dead and buried, but her soul is
living with Jesus. He was waiting for her when she died and took her
soul away with him."
"I am glad, my child," said her mother, sometime after this
conversation, "that you love to come to me with things that trouble you;
for as you're going to school now, you can not help hearing and seeing
many things that I would rather keep from you until you're older. You'll
see and hear many things that you should allow no place in your life;
but if you'll always come to me, I'll instruct you so that they'll not be
harmful to you. When I was a child, how I longed for some one in
whom I could confide! My mother was a good woman, but she didn't
realize how I often longed to unburden my heart to her. Father
understood this desire, and we often had confidential talks.
"I shall never forget my gratitude when he took me upon his knee one
day and told me about many dangers young girls must meet and
explained how I might avoid them. His words were just in time; for I
had often been allowed to spend the evening at the home of a little
friend, who, like myself, was not taught how to meet danger. At first

our play had been innocent sports, but a short time before my father's
talk a cousin had come to board with the family and attend school. He
at once encouraged us to play a game of cards with him. As I knew
nothing of the evil of card-playing, I was eager to learn; for he gave me
much praise and allowed me to win very often, always rewarding me
with a pile of candy. The appearance of so much candy in my
possession had led to my father's talk. As father unfolded the nature of
card-playing and gambling, a horror for them that has never left me
came into my heart. After this I often sought my father's counsel; his
faithful admonitions and tender words of encouragement caused me to
have more and more confidence in him."
Mrs. Worthington sighed deeply as she continued, "The memory of my
dear father is sacred, Bessie. Many times I've thanked the Lord that my
father knew the worth of prayer and the value of the confidence of his
children. He helped me to tide over the most critical period of my life,
and I love to recall the encouragement of his devoted life."
CHAPTER VI.
CONSCIENCE.
One day when Bessie was about eight years old, she said: "Mama,
you've often told me that if I'd listen to the voice of conscience it would
keep me out of danger. What is conscience? I don't understand."
"My dear child," answered her mother, "your happiness depends upon a
pure conscience, one that is void of offense. By the Lord's help, I will
gladly explain. Conscience is that which causes us to feel bad when we
do what we've been taught to be wrong. At first it is very tender and
active. Then, no matter how enticing the temptation, the conscience
will warn one not to yield. You've heard your conscience speaking to
you, haven't you, Bessie?"
"Yes, Mama," answered Bessie; "that was why I wanted to know more
about it. I thought at first it was some person speaking; but when I
remembered you had told me that we each have a conscience to tell us
to do right, I knew it must be the voice of conscience."

"When it speaks, you must listen," said Mrs. Worthington. "Give heed
to its warnings. This little story will show you how careful we should
be to heed the warning voice of conscience.
"'Wishing to arise at an early hour each morning, a gentleman
purchased an alarm-clock. He took it home, and, having set it, went to
bed and slept soundly. In the morning, to the gentleman's great delight,
the clock aroused him, so that he was able to get to work in time.
"'For a time he would spring out of bed as soon as the alarm sounded,
and the clock never failed to wake him. One morning, however, on
hearing the clock sound its usual alarm, he awoke, but, feeling a little
sleepy, he lay back on his pillow, thinking that he would get up in a
short time. In a few minutes he