Write to Mother by Nellie Burns

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 26.

Write to Mother.

By Nellie Burns

How long since you have written to her? How long since the loving mother heart in the old house has been gladdened by a letter from her boy? Can you not picture her in your imagination, as you have often seen her in your boyhood, going quietly from room to room as she cheerfully performs the work of the house? And how many times, as she is thus busily employed, does her mind go out to you each day, and over and again she will say: "I wonder why Jimmie doesn't write? It seems so strange that we don't get a letter from him."

How many times during the long, neglectful silence of her absent son does she live through his sickness and death among strangers? How the mother heart yearns to be with him as she thus pictures him! So unbounded is her love for him she thinks nothing less than death would cause him to neglect her so.

But Jimmie, in the meantime, has become so engrossed with business and pleasure that his mind rarely turns to his boyhood home.

When he does stop long enough in his busy career to think of father and mother, he promises himself that he will write to them soon. But just the time to do so seems never to come, and so the days glide into months, and while he is enjoying prosperity and happiness, the dear ones at home are in painful suspense over his silence.

We heard a mother say, recently, whose boy had been absent for five years and had been heard from but once or twice during the time: "Oh, the torture that my heart has endured will never be known. I have watched and waited during these long years, hoping that every mail would bring me tidings of my boy. But the watch has been in vain. Every time the gate latch clicks, or I hear a step on the garden walk, my heart leaps into my throat, for I think it may be Johnie coming home."

But a short time after our conversation a letter came from the wanderer, saying that he was sick and was coming home. Ah! but then the strength and tenderness of the mother was shown. Not a word of reproach for his long neglect. The long suspense and anxiety that he had caused her were forgotten. It was only joy, joy, and the years of suffering were completely buried in the excess of happiness that she felt at seeing her boy again.

Oh, what suspense and trouble of mind the absent sons can save their loving mothers by frequently giving a few minutes of time to writing to them. Only a few minutes to each letter! But what pleasure that short time will give in the old home, and how the mother's heart will lighten at this frequent testimony of her son's thoughtfulness and love.—Nellie Burns, in Christian at Work.