as days pass, how tenderly does Naomi watch over the interests of her
child, and how remarkable is the deference to her wishes which ever
animates Ruth. Even in the matter of her marriage,--a subject on which
young people generally feel competent to judge for themselves,--she is
governed entirely by her mother's directions. "All that thou sayest unto
me I will do." Said a young lady in our hearing, not long since, "When I
am married I shall desire that my husband may have no father or mother."
This is not an unusual wish, nor is it uttered in all cases lightly and
without reason. We know of a mother who would never consent that her
only son should bring his wife to dwell under her roof, although she was
entirely satisfied with his choice, and was constantly doing all in her
power to promote their happiness. What were her reasons? She was a
conscientious Christian and fond mother, but she would not risk their
mutual happiness. She felt herself unable to bear the test, and she was
unwilling to subject her children to it. Often do we hear expressions of
pity bestowed on the young wife who is so "unfortunate" as to be
compelled to live with her mother-in-law, and many are the sighs and
nods and winks of gossip over the trials which some of their number
endure from their sons' wives. Why is all this? The supreme selfishness
of our human nature must answer. Having a common love for one object,
the mother for her son, the wife for her husband, they should be bound
by strong ties, and their mutual interests should produce mutual
kindness and sympathy, and this would always be the case if each were
governed by the spirit of the Gospel. But alas! love of self rather than
the pure love inculcated by Jesus Christ most often rules. Brought
together from different paths, unlike, it may be, in natural
temperament, perhaps differing in opinion, the mother wishing to retain
her wonted control over her son, the wife feeling hers the superior
claim, there springs up a contest which is the fruitful source of
unhappiness, and which mars many an otherwise fine character. Before us