Mother’s Day

Improvement Era Vol. XXX MAY, 1927 No. 7 MOTHER'S DAY By L. L. Allen In the history of the world we find various nations sietting aside special days, in memory of events of importance in their particular country. This was usually the anniversary of some great battle; securing some form of freedom; a great discovery, or the birth of some man who accomplished much for his country, but it remained for this Land of Freedom to set aside one day in the year on which to do honor to those most worthy of honor — our mothers. '•'There are three words that sweetly blend, ' . That on the heart are graven; A precious, soothing balm they lend, They're mother, home' and heaven." The Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution, ap- proved May 8, 1914, "designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, and for other purposes." In this resolution, the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation, calling upon the officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May, as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country. In compliance with this request, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation to this effect on the 9th of May, 1914. This action of Congress resulted from the request of Miss Annie Jarvis, a native of West Virginia. Her great love for her own mother caused her to devote herself to the work of having Congress set apart a day to be known and observed as Mother's Day. The resolution was passed by the House on May 7, 1914, being introduced by Senator J. Thomas Heflin, who was then a member of the House; Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July Z, 1918, $2 per annum. Address Room 40 6, Church Office Building. Salt Lake City, Utah.

580 IMPROVEMENT ERA and when it reached the Senate, Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas took charge of it, and secured its passage by the Senate. Through all our history the women of the country have faith- fully responded to the nation for the services of their children. Where- ever there was work to do that needed their skill, sympathy and courage they have been found. But it is* in the home that the in- fluence has been most powerful. There the weal or woe of the future life is found, and the standard of the political world is also founded. George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and James A. Garfield are notable examples of great men whose fathers died early, leaving them to the sole care of their mothers. Abraham Lincoln was only nine years old when his mother died, but he received the lasting impression of her power for good in the depths of his being. He was often heard to say, "All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my sainted mother." Frances E. Willard said, "I thank God for my mother, as for no other gift of his* bestowing." Many an eminent man in the zenith of his fame is regarded as the product of some party or system, but when the label grows dim and disappears, there stands out in the life the graven name, "Mother," perhaps all unknown to the crowds who applaud her son. Thanks to the mothers who have given life and being to sons and daughters; mothers who have heeded and are willing to obey God's great command, to be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth. Well might all of us exclaim with Tom Dillon: "For the body you gave me, the bone and the sinew, the heart and the brain that are yours, my mother, I thank you. I thank you for the light in my eyes, blood in my veins', for my speech, for my life, for my being. * * * For all the love that you gave me, unmeasured from the beginning, my mother, I thank you. I thank you for the hand that led me, the voice that directed me, the breast that nestled me, the arm that shielded me, the lap that rested me. * * * For your smile in the morning and your kiss at night, my mother, I thank you. I thank you for the tears you shed over me, the songs that you sang to me, the prayers that you said for me, for your vigils and ministerings. * * * For the faith you had in me, the hope you had for me, for your trust and your pride, my mother, I thank you. I thank you for your praise and your chiding, for the justice you bred into me, and the honor you made mine." "Mothers, how divine your mission here upon our natal sod; Keep, oh, keep the young heart open always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages are from mother-love impearled, For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." It is often the case that children do not appreciate their mothers during their early years, largely, because they do not stop in their busy lives to consider all the work, worry and sacrifices she has made for them. One of the splendid features of Mother's

MOTHER'S DAY 581 Day is not only to honor the mothers and bring joy to their care- worn hearts, but also to call the attention of the children to the debt they owe to those who, cared for them as helpless babes, who nursed them through their childhood days and by their good example taught them the right way of living. How often the children forget the long nights their mothers have sat by the flickering lights to attend to their every want while they tossed about on their pillows with a racking fever. How often do mothers sacrifice to keep the children warm, to make them look fit for good society, to supply their needs and keep them in school. The children seldom know, or knowing fail to think it over. We often hear people who now have families of their own say, "I never half appreciated the work of my mother, until I had to assume her cares and responsibilities." It is unfortunate that we do not appreciate our mothers while they are still with us, and let them know that we are thankful to them for every kindness to us. To feel thankful only when they are gone from this world, when we cannot express our feelings to them in words, is poor compensation. It has been well said, "A boy's best friend is his mother." Boys, never forget that. A daughter should be her mother's closest companion. Let it not be only on Mother's Day or special days that we express to her our good wishes, but on all days show by our every act that we respect, love and honor her in every way. The poet has well said: "Be kind to thy mother, for lo! on her brow May traces of sorrow be seen; Oh! well may'st thou cherish and comfort her now, For loving and kind hath she been; Remember thy mother, for thee will she pray As long as God giveth her breath; With acts of kindness, then cheer her lone way, E'er to the dark valley of death." Twin Falls, Idaho A Song of Mother The story of mother's love ne'er can be told, Though featured in diamonds and set in pure gold, Pen artists in words have failed to portray The many kind acts she performs every day. Be kind to your mother, so tender and true. Paint the skies of life's autumn the truest of blue. Be thoughtful and gentle, for her have a care, Smoothing the silver threads throughout her hair. With heartfelt devotion no murmur we hear. She would sacrifice all for loved ones held dear, With a smile on her face her own life ishe would give; She'd suffer and die that her loved ones might live. Lakeside, Arizona FRANK WESTBROOK