id="pgepubid00047"/>2.  Always adhere yourself closely to truth.  In little things as well as great, in deed as well as word.  What a warning is Rebecca (Gen. xxvii.) of the danger of the first downward step, and the baneful influence of a mother’s evil example!

3.  Let them see that you cling closely to truth, even when it is to your own disadvantage.  Ps. xv. 5, Prayer-book version.

4.  Never get out of a difficulty by an untruth.

II.  To do this be ever—

Watchful.  Ps. cxli. 3.

Prayerful.  Ps. cxix. 29.

IV.  TRUTH.  2.

Last meeting we found that it is useless to enforce the necessity of truth, unless the mother is consistent in her example.  Besides this:

II.  Enforce it by instruction and by precept.

Tell—how God hates lying.  Prov. vi. 16, 17; xii. 22.

Tell—histories from Scripture to show how God hates it.  Satan, Gen. iii. 4.  Gehazi, 2 Kings, v. 25.  Ananias, Acts, v. 1–11.

Tell—who is the father of lies.  John, viii. 44.

Tell—the consequences of lying.  Ps. v. 6; lv. 23.  Rev. xxi. 8.

III.  Avoid severity.

Children are often frightened into deceit by fear of their parents’ severity.

IV.  Do not put temptations to lie in a child’s way.

Do not encourage them to conceal anything from their father, schoolmaster, master, or mistress, if in service.

V.  Correct for a lie.

It is a false love which dispenses with a needful chastisement.  Prov. xiii. 24; xix. 18.

But always with prayer.

VI.  Let the child see that you are grieved for his sin.  That it gives you sorrow, not only causes anger.  Ps. cxix. 158.

VII.  Make it a subject of prayer with your child that the way of lying may be removed from him.  Ps. cxix. 29.  Prov. xxx. 8.

V.  THE EXCELLENT WOMAN.

Prov. xxxi.

As a Wife.

I.  A wife ought to be a chief blessing; a good wife is so.  Verse 10.  Prov. xii. 4; xviii. 22; xix. 14.

II.  Her husband can safely trust her.  Ver. 11.

Money—children—sure of her affection—no secrets.

III.  She does him good, and not evil all the days of her life.  Verse 12.

Not like Eve.  Gen. iii. 6.

Or Samson’s wife.  Enticing—coaxing—teazing—weeping—betraying.  Judg. xiv. 16.

IV.  She cares for his bodily wants.  Verses 15, 23.

To do this must be a ‘keeper at home.’  Tit. ii. 5.

V.  She submits if wills clash.

Not often the case in a happy home.

Yields cheerfully, not grudgingly, when in accordance with God’s will.  Col. iii. 18.  Eph. v. 22.

VI.  She endeavours to win her husband, does not try to drive.  1 Pet. iii. 1.  1 Cor. vii. 16.

Win to religion by displaying its beauty and brightness in your lives.

VII.  She is a spiritual help to her husband.  1 Pet. iii. 7.

‘Mutual help and comfort.’  Marriage Service.

Not a hindrance.  Luke, xiv. 20.

A wife has more opportunity than any one of seeing her husband’s faults.  Do not talk about them, but pray about them.

VI.  THE EXCELLENT WOMAN.

Prov. xxxi.

In her Home.

I.  She is diligent.  Verses 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 27.  So 1 Tim. v. 10.  Rom. xii. 8.

No gossiping; standing at doors; idling at neighbours.

Observe what is said of the diligent in the Book of Proverbs.

Maketh rich.  Prov. x. 4.

Prospered (Prov. xii. 24, 27; xiii. 4; xxi. 5.)  Sometimes worldly diligence leads to spiritual sloth.  Let it not be so with you; but whilst you are ‘not slothful in business,’ be also ‘fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.’  Rom. xii. 11.

II.  She is prudent.  Verses 13, 14, 15.

Looks well to her goings.  Prov. xiv. 15.  Looks forward.  Prov. xxii. 3; xxvii. 12.  Enjoys a special blessing.  Prov. xix. 14.

III.  Overlooks her household.  Verses 15, 21, 27.

Children, servants, if she has any.

Your household, of whomsoever it may consist, should share your blessings and privileges.  Gen. xviii. 19.  Lev. xvi. 17.  Acts, xvi. 15.

Important to impress this upon your girls going to service.  A good mistress ought, and will, look after them.  No kindness in lax discipline.  Look back to your own days of service.  Who was the best mistress?  1 Tim. v. 14.

VII.  THE EXCELLENT WOMAN.

Prov. xxxi.

In her Conversation.

I.  ‘She openeth her mouth with wisdom,’ verse 26.

1.  No foolish talking, or jesting.  Job, xv. 3.  Eph. v. 4.

2.  No chattering or gossip, which tends to penury.  Prov. xiv. 23.  Eccles. x. 11, 14.

3.  No deception.  Prov. xxiv. 28; xx. 17.

II.  ‘In her tongue is the law of kindness,’ verse 26.

1.  No tale-bearing or back-biting.  Prov. xxv. 23; xxvi. 22.  Ps. xv. 3.

How mischievous.  Prov. xxiv. 2.

2.  No flattering, like wicked woman.  Prov. v. 3; vi. 24.  Ps. v. 9.

III.   How important to bridle the tongue.  Jam. i. 26.

There is often much wisdom in silence.  Ps. xxxiv. 13.  Prov. xvii. 28; xxix. 11.

Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.  Philip, i. 27.  Ps. lxxvii. 12.  Prov. xv. 4.  1 Pet. iii. 1.  2 Pet. iii. 11.  Col. iii. 16.

Make this your prayer.  Ps. xix. 14; cxli. 3.

Blessing promised.  Ps. l. 23.

IV.  Three good rules.

1.  So speak to your husband and children, that should these be your last words, you would not regret them.

2.  Never say anything of your neighbours you would dislike them to overhear.

3.  In all your conversation, remember that the Lord is nigh, and hears each word.

VIII.  THE EXCELLENT WOMAN.

Prov. xxxi.

Her Religion.

I.  The secret of her many excellencies here portrayed.

It did not consist in beauty.  Verse 30.  A pretty face often leads to ruin.  Prov. xi. 22.  Ezek. xxviii. 17.

Never make much of a child’s beauty.

But it was this, she was a religious woman, actuated in all she did by the fear of the Lord.  Verse 30.