THE VALUE OF A PRAYING MOTHER
BY ISABEL C. BYRUM
GOSPEL TRUMPET COMPANY
First Printing 1911
PREFACE.
This book has a purpose: it is sent forth as precious seed, with the prayer that it will fall into "good soil" in many hearts and bring forth an hundredfold.
All parents with natural affection desire the best things for their children. Such fathers and mothers have high hopes that from their home will go forth noble men and women--yes, even heroes. Many fail to realize the attainment of this ideal in their children, because of a lack of the knowledge necessary to bring about the desired development in the child-life.
The following pages were written with the fervent hope that they would, at least in some measure, be a help in developing the young lives entrusted to your care. If your harvest-time is past; if your children have grown up and have left the old home, you may be able to help some one who still has little ones to train.
One object in relating actual experiences was that the reader might be guided in the application of those principles of child-training which, if merely stated in the abstract, might be hard to understand and difficult of application. The principles herein stated are not mere theories, but they have the commendation of having stood the test of use. Two other objects of this simple story of home life are that the thoughtful mother may get a view of the effects of certain extreme environments on the child-life and, by observing the substantial results accomplished by a praying mother, she may discover the secret of success.
The incidents of this little home story are all true, even to minute details, as far as memory serves one of the actors in this drama of home life after the lapse of many years; but as most of the principal characters are still living, the correct names have, for the most part, been withheld. Should one of your children ask, "Mama, who was Bessie Worthington?" you can truthfully answer, "She was a little girl who lived in Michigan; and she and her papa and mama are still living."
If, by reading this little book, any mother shall see wherein she can improve upon her past teaching, and thus be able to do more for the spiritual and moral well-being of her children, the writer will feel amply rewarded. May the blessing of God attend it as it goes forth.
Yours in Him, Isabel C. Byrum.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. Two Scenes
CHAPTER II. A Praying Mother
CHAPTER III. Early Training
CHAPTER IV. God's Care
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: The value of a praying mother by Isabel C. Byrum
- 2: She dwelt in Ramah of Palestine
- 3: Said For this child I prayed
- 4: Trying to show them the way of salvation
- 5: Worthington talked with her little girls
- 6: But she could not forget that she was disobedient
- 7: Worthington still weak from his illness
- 8: Worthington noticed that Louise was not eating
- 9: Worthington heard the doctors' verdict
- 10: Worthington sighed deeply as she continued
- 11: One day when Bessie was about eight years old
- 12: Worthington took her little daughter aside and
- 13: The lake in front of the Worthington home
- 14: When Bessie learned of their serious experience
- 15: That you must learn to control
- 16: Another can provide their temporal needs
- 17: When Bessie was in her twelfth year
- 18: My ticket was my experience and title to heaven
- 19: Fruitful blossoms That will bring true happiness
- 20: Bessie has a new dress like her father's shirt
- 21: Bessie had a thirst for knowledge
- 22: When Bessie got home the next morning
- 23: Worthington looked at her child
- 24: And she made up her mind to get her seatmate into trouble
- 25: But she took no notice of Bessie
- 26: She did not censure her seatmate
- 27: Bessie looked at the corset and said
- 28: She consents to the hasty marriage
- 29: The Worthingtons tried hard to be brave
- 30: Worthington sat quietly holding her dying baby
- 31: Worthington said anxiously to her husband
- 32: Worthington tried not to worry
- 33: Worthington realized her daughter's danger
- 34: How glorious Bessie now found her walk with God
- 35: If Bessie had received a severe blow
- 36: Bessie appears to be perfectly resigned to die
- 37: As Bessie picked up her last bundle
- 38: Such a home can not stand when trial and temptation enter
- 39: Perhaps the inherited sin may lie at your own door
- 40: And thus get his young mind tainted with impure thoughts
- 41: And earnest prayer will be the most needful
- 42: A romp with the children is not lost
- 43: In your zeal to find entertainment for your children
- 44: Thy treasures richer far than gold
