ISBN: 9780217995092

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustra… Plus…

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... II. OUR MOTHERS. There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother.--St. John xix. 35. WHO better could be selected as the witness of that last terrible agony than the Master''s mother? At such an hour he needed one who was so very near and so very dear. Yet would it not have been better, had she kept away? How could she endure such a sight? It was her son that was covered with such a temporary shame and filled with such awful pangs. You know, in the engraving that represents the scene, she is supported from almost the faintness of death by some of the other female disciples. Poor woman! Her heart was broken, as well it might be, under such a load as that. Why was she there? Mary, I do you dishonor by such a question! Mothers of the race, I impeach your devotion by the mere supposition of her absence! Where else could that gentle parent be than where the loved one was pouring out his life? Keep away? That was not possible. She must look on, although the nerves snap, one by one, while numbness creeps silently over the whole frame. She must be present, although every nail driven breaks a cord of the heart, and although she be worse than crucified herself by the sight of the torture. As we carry ourselves back and stand at the cross, we involuntarily cry out, God pity and help that mother! I would speak to-day of our mothers, Heaven bless them! If they are faithful, their names are wreathed around the soul, and are written in bright and glorious letters in the Book of God. The nearest friend that we have on earth and in heaven, God and Christ, of course, being excepted, is our mother. I speak this with caution, and out of a solemn conviction. I know that there is another relation, tender, true, sacred, close, and beautiful; but no other tie can wipe out nor ta... Caleb Davis Bradlee, Books, Religion and Spirituality, Sermons for the Church Books>Religion and Spirituality, General Books LLC<