9

[fol. ix.]

8

centres itself in the wisdom displayed by women as mothers.
And this name of Mother recalls to the mind of everyone, ideas of
sweetness, of piety of unbounded love. Providence is always
symbolized by a mother. It seems in fact as if God had made
woman a reflection of his attribute of kindness, when He placed into
her graceful hands the key to the human heart. Remember, that
the love you bear your children, the love of Jewish mothers, that
ardent & unconquerable love, will be inefficient, unless you
prove it by educating their hearts as you educate their minds.
The neglect of this duty is such leaven as would produce the most
bitterest fruits. My son, says Solomon forsake not the law of
thy mother." This law means religious instruction. But a mother
must give it, if it is to be effectively listened to. She alone can
give it, because it consists of truths that speak to the heart; &
who better than a mother can touch the children's heart?
If you begin to speak to your children of God, the very day
on which they can but lisp the his name, if while you
given them religious knowledge, you accustom them to religious
acts, if you labour every day for this sacred end, your
exertions will not be in vain, you will reap a harvest of
rich blessings.