THE VALUE OF A PRAYING MOTHER BY ISABEL C. BYRUM GOSPEL TRUMPET COMPANY First Printing 1911 PREFACE. This book has a purpose: it is sent forth as precious seed, with the prayer that it will fall into "good soil" in many hearts and bring forth an hundredfold. All parents with natural affection desire the best things for their children. Such fathers and mothers have high hopes that from their home will go forth noble men and women--yes, even heroes. Many fail to realize the attainment of this ideal in their children, because of a lack of the knowledge necessary to bring about the desired development in the child-life. The following pages were written with the fervent hope that they would, at least in some measure, be a help in developing the young lives entrusted to your care. If your harvest-time is past; if your children have grown up and have left the old home, you may be able to help some one who still has little ones to train. One object in relating actual experiences was that the reader might be guided in the application of those principles of child-training which, if merely stated in the abstract, might be hard to understand and difficult of application. The principles herein stated are not mere theories, but they have the commendation of having stood the test of use. Two other objects of this simple story of home life are that the thoughtful mother may get a view of the effects of certain extreme environments on the child-life and, by observing the substantial results accomplished by a praying mother, she may discover the secret of success. The incidents of this little home story are all true, even to minute details, as far as memory serves one of the actors in this drama of home life after the lapse of many years; but as most of the principal characters are still living, the correct names have, for the most part, been withheld. Should one of your children ask, "Mama, who was Bessie Worthington?" you can truthfully answer, "She was a little girl who lived in Michigan; and she and her papa and mama are still living." If, by reading this little book, any mother shall see wherein she can improve upon her past teaching, and thus be able to do more for the spiritual and moral well-being of her children, the writer will feel amply rewarded. May the blessing of God attend it as it goes forth. Yours in Him, Isabel C. Byrum. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Two Scenes CHAPTER II. A Praying Mother CHAPTER III. Early Training CHAPTER IV. God's Care CHAPTER V. Consecration CHAPTER VI. Conscience CHAPTER VII. A Downward Step CHAPTER VIII. A Wise Decision CHAPTER IX. Self-Control CHAPTER X. Parental Control CHAPTER XI. Christian Experience CHAPTER XII. The Beautiful Secret CHAPTER XIII. Blessing and Trial CHAPTER XIV. The Surprise Party CHAPTER XV. Leroy's Healing CHAPTER XVI. Explaining the Divine Life CHAPTER XVII. Temptations