A "MOTHERS' DAY" EXPANSION
In a meeting at the Y. M. C. A. in Portland, Oregon, not long ago, over forty leaders in the business and executive world listened to one of their number - a former Y. M. C. A. secretary - as he outlined his vision of a "Mothers' Day" that would last all the year round and down through the years, so long as there are men who revere their mothers and sons who are in need of that universal mothering-the helping hand in time of need which so often has turned the tide of life's battle from disastrous rout and proved the pivot on which beleaguered youth has turned "right about face" and marched to a splendid victory against the opposing forces of discouragement and temptation.
The gist of the plea was this: Mother love typifies the Christ love as no other affection can do. It never fails us no matter how great have been our sins. Our failures and misfortunes only serve to increase her loving care and tenderness for us. A man never sinks so low but that his mother's arms reach down to .clasp him close and draw him back to peace and safety once again.
It is well on one day in the year that we place a flower in the lapel of our coats, and if she be still living, send the loving message and flowers to her who faced death that we might live, and never faltered night or day in loving service and guidance through the years of helpless infancy or turbulent youth. I say this is well, but can we not do something more than is already being done in special commemoration of her devotion that will carry on her helpfulness and guardianship over the son who has left the home nest? Her heart reaches out after him and her prayers are constant for his welfare.
I am here to suggest what I know will appeal to every man present, that we establish a Mothers' Tribute Fund to be administered for the benefit of the sons who have found the road rough and are temporarily in need of a helping hand. I know this is a thing my mother would love to have me do.
The result of that meeting was that thirty-eight men gave a hundred dollars apiece-not in their own names-but in the names of their mothers, to start a fund. the interest of which is to be regularly used for this purpose. Since then "Mothers' Tribute Funds" have been started in many cities and the names not of the donors-but of their mothers-are engraved in bronze on a memorial tablet.
Oh, Mothers of Men! Blessed indeed is she who can receive this loving tribute from her son without unhappy moments of poignant regret as she realizes how far short of her own ideal of motherhood were those busy, toil-filled years when, with faulty self discipline and tired nerves astrain she dealt~not always justly or lovingly~but often hastily and unjustly with the young life so pitifully dependent upon her for its happiness and progress.
Dear Mothers, whose children are still within reach of your loving arms and whose lives are still plastic to your mood and influence, seek ye first of all for that wisdom and justice and the loving, patient kindness which shall bless and guide the children of your heart, lest the memory of a grieved, perplexed little face, or a sullen, rebellious glance from an adolescent eye remind you of times when you failed the child for whom you would have given your life - yea, for which you, you'd gladly forfeit your hope of eternal salvation.
It is said that this question was asked of applicants for membership in the early church: "Would you be willing to forfeit your hope of eternal life for the sake of the Kingdom of Christ?" and unless the answer was in the affirmative the applicant was barred. There is not a doubt as to what a mother's answer would be should she be asked to sacrifice herself for time and eternity for the sake of her child. No, the supreme and heroic sacrifice is not wherein we fail our loved ones. It is in the so-called common virtues of daily life~cheerfulness, patience, understanding, wise sympathy, tolerance, impartiality and justice. Alas, that these are not always the attributes of so great a love.
Strive for these, Oh Mother and Father of today; and grateful children shall rise up in the strength of strong, gracious manhood and womanhood and call you blessed!