Note to sons and daughters: Sunday is Mother's Day. It's once a year, so there is no excuse for not remembering that person who brought you into the world. Of course the Record over the years has devoted an appropriate amount of space to mothers, some of which follows. Something interesting is seen in an article below dated May 11, 1923 concerning the wearing of a red or white flower on Mother's Day.

 Our Mother - Oct. 4, 1889

The subject suggested in the title is a one that seldom received much discussion, although it is one that ought to rank high in the circles of literature.

We are sorry to say that a great many children do not prize their mothers half as much as they should. They are young and thoughtless, and it does not occur to them that they are doing that which displeases that kind parent, and so it goes on. They get used to have their own way, that it is impossible to yield to the wishes of others, thinking as some do that they are being wrongly advised.

Does not a mother always want her children to do what is right? Did a mother ever tell her child to steal, to lie, to swear, or to break God's commandments in any way? Ten thousands voices answer NO. A mother never wants her child to do wrong.

If some of the hard characters that now occupy a space within the walls of the penitentiary had heeded the words of truth that were uttered by that mother of long years ago, things might have been different with them today.

George Washington gave up the idea of being a seaman just to please his mother. Corilanus spared Rome on account of his mother. Oh, children, do you know what your mother will do for you? Do you know what she is every day doing for you? Do you appreciate her love? Do you appreciate the kindness that can come from on one else but a mother? If you do not, then stop and think!

The hour is drawing nigh when the blinds will be lowered, the merry voice that you now hear in and around the old homestead will be hushed, for the Angel of Death has laid his icy hand upon the heart that has so often throbbed for you and the spirit of that mother has gone home to rest.

In yonder room lays the coffin. You go in and take one long, lingering glance at the face that has so often smiled upon you, and that now looks so happy and peaceful even in death. The hands that have so often ministered to your wants, that have lain you in the old-fashioned crib years ago and gently rocked you to and fro lay folded across the cold pulseless heart. The hair that was once threads of living gold is not lying in silvery threads across the peaceful brow.

Ah, mother is dead, and gone with the Angel of Light, and the very last words that fell from her lips were "Where is my boy tonight?"

Boys and girls, the hour is surely coming when the above will take place.

So if you are not kind to your mother now, it will be too late when God calls her home to him. Be kind to your mother now, so that when you are laid on a deathbed you will not be led to say "Oh, while my mother was here on earth would I had loved her more!"

My Last Cigar - Nov. 1, 1895

One Christmas my mother invited all her children to her home to spend the day. I went and enjoyed the last Christmas I ever spent with her. After enjoying a real good old-fashioned Christmas dinner, I went outdoors to smoke an extra large and fine Havana, which a friend had given me a few days before for a "Christmas Day smoke."

I found the flavour fine, but the tobacco was much stronger than I was accustomed to, so that when only a third of it was smoked I found myself quite dizzy and compelled to cease operations. So I let the fire go out and, after the dizziness passed of, I went back into my mother's presence with the unlighted cigar between my teeth. As I entered, mother looked up and said:

"My son, I wish you would do something today that you will in the future always be glad that you did do upon this Christmas Day, which will be of permanent good to you through your remaining life, and make your mother happy as well."

"Name it, mother!" I replied.

"Throw that cigar into the stove, and never smoke another or use the vile weed in any way. It is a slow but sure poison, besides being an expensive habit."

I took out the cigar from my mouth, looked at it, asked myself, "Can I leave off smoking?" Then I looked over to mother's chair, her eyes were closed, but her lips moved, and I felt that mother was lifting her heart to God for me. And the words came to me "My grace is sufficient," and instantly I raised the stove lid and threw in my Havana, and said: "Mother, I will do it!"

"You will never regret it." she said, and tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.

And I am happy to say that I never have regretted it. It all only goes to prove that there is no influence so powerful with a son as a mother's!

 Sussex - May 11, 1923

Sunday next, May 13th, is Mother's Day, and it will be observed as usual in the churches and otherwise. Bear in mind the fact that "there is no love like a mother's love" and on Sunday observe "Mother's Day." If you are fortunate enough to have your mother still with you, wear a red flower, if she has passed away wear a white one. Remember Mother's Day and observe it.

Mother's Day At St. Pauls, Sussex

May 13, 1927

On May 8th, Sunday last, Rev. Salter gave a pleasing address suited to the day at the morning service. This was followed by a special Mother's Day service held in the Sunday school.

A feature of the service was the bountiful supply of beautiful flowers, given by Mrs. Gould. The sum of two dollars, given to the school for Mother's Day flowers, was also acknowledged, and, for the first time as a united Sunday School, the boys and girls honoured their best friend Mother!

 Mother's Day - May 6, 1937

Sunday will be Mother's Day, that day when the great human institution, Mother, is honoured above all other festive days of the year. From coast to coast there will be special services in churches in honour of mothers. Tributes will be paid, countless flowers will be given, millions of letters will be written.

It is true that there may be a mother here and there who cannot come up to the standard of the real old-fashioned mother, but there ware very few. The great majority of mothers stand majestic in their strength and through wise counsel sway the destinies of many great men. That is the type of mother who is honoured by Mother's Day.

On that day one is privileged to forget the ultra-modern type of mother and to think only of those the great unobtrusive majority of the country's mothers who are the centre of their homes and so the very core of our social system. Probably no child guesses a fraction of its mother's care and sacrifice until it grows up and becomes a mother or father.

Probably no father can ever fully gauge the silent and unceasing services of the mother. But it is not a question of knowledge, measurement or even conscious though. It is a feeling, instinctive and deep rooted. And for that feeling mankind should be truly thankful. Mother is appreciated and all are willing to grant that she is the holiest thing alive.

Every day should be Mother's Day, and if the setting apart of one day is to detract one iota from the continual worship of motherhood, let that day be straightaway abolished. But on the other hand, it may be not amiss to have a periodical reminder less customary feeling become mere fixed habit. Conscious and directed thought as well as feeling has its place, and if Mother's Day inclines the nation to turn its mind to what its mothers signify, then let Mother's Day stand.

For a mother's life is never an easy life. She may have a better time than did her mother, but so do father and the children have a better time, and thus it all evens up and does not affect the relative situation. However, one point admits of no argument: mother still remains the holiest thing alive.