'I do hope you are industrious, and do not lose time in play and
inattention. Remember Satan steals his marches on us by _littles_--a
minute now, and a minute then. Be on the look out, and don't be cheated
by him!
'All your little trials will soon be over, so far as school life is
concerned; and every one of them, if borne with patience, will make you a
wiser and better man. Never forget my advice about not listening to
_secrets_! Don't hear anything that needs to be whispered--it is
sure to be bad. Choose the boys to be your companions who most love and
fear God, and pray together when you can, and help each other.'
Here is a very beautiful letter written when one of her children desired
to go in for some higher education, which Mrs. Booth feared might spoil
the soul life:--
'I do so want you and all my children to live supremely for God. I do so
deeply deplore my own failure compared with what my life might have been,
and I feel as if I could die to save you from making a mistake. Perhaps
you say, "You don't want me, then, to learn any more?" Yes, I do, a great
deal more; but of the right kind, in the right way, and for a right
purpose, even the _highest good of your race_. I would like you to
learn to put your thoughts together well, to think logically and clearly,
to speak powerfully--that is, with good but simple language--and to write
clearly and well.'
Just the wish we have now for all our Young People!
Early in their childhood the elder children were taught to be responsible
for the younger, and when at school they were given places of trust as
monitors, and so on. As if knowing the responsibilities they would by and
by be called to fill in our ranks, Mrs. Booth gives them some wise
counsel:--
'I hope,' she says to one who has been left in charge of the other
children, 'you will show yourself to be a true son of your mother, and a
consistent disciple of the Lord. Very much depends on you as to the ease
and comfort of managing the little ones. Do all you can. Be forbearing
where only your own feelings or comfort are concerned, and don't raise
unnecessary difficulties; but where their obedience to us or their health
is at stake, be firm in trying to put them right.'
'I am pleased,' she says to one of the boys who has been in charge of
others at school, 'that Mr. W. puts such confidence in you; but do not be
puffed up by it. Remember how weak you are, and ask the Lord to save you
from conceit and self-sufficiency. Try to be fair and just in all
dealings with the boys--i.e., do not be hard on a boy whom you may not
happen to like so well as another; but be fair, and treat all alike when
left in charge.'
Again, she warns one of them against extremes, even in well doing:
'You are under a mistake to suppose that sacrificing your recreation-time
will help you in the end. It will not. Cramming the mind acts just in the
same way as cramming the stomach. It is what you digest well that
benefits you, not what you cram in. So many hours spent in study, and
then relaxation and walking, will do your mind much more good than "all
work, and no play." Now mark this. Do not be looking so much at what you
_have_ to do as to what you are _doing_. Leave the future (you
may spend it in Heaven), and go steadily on doing to-day's work in
to-day's hours, with recreation in between to shake the seed in. One
step well and firmly taken is better than two with a slip backwards.
Poor human nature seems as though it must go to extremes--either all or
none, too much or too little, idleness or being killed with work! May
the Lord show you the happy medium.'
'I was sorry about the cause of the accident. I don't like that way of
doing things in fun! Though it was very wrong and wicked of the boy to
throw the brick, yet it would have been better to let him look at the
guinea-pigs being fed, and thus have pleased him. There was no harm in
what he wanted to do. You should watch against a hectoring spirit, and
mind the difference between a sacrifice of truth and principle, and one
only of self-importance or of mere feeling. If a boy wants you to do
wrong, then be firm as a rock and brave for God and goodness.'
'Mind your soul,' she says at another time. 'Do not let your thoughts get
so absorbed, even in study, as to lead you to forget your Bible and to
neglect prayer.'
Later, again, as a wise mother she warns them in the tenderest way
against their special temptations.