A Mother's Influence on History

One of the most important chapters of history will be entitled “A Mother’s Influence.” Who will write that wonderful story? The two brightest names of modern history are Lincoln and Cromwell. Lincoln affirmed, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.”

Concerning Cromwell, the historian says : “No other member of his family, neither his wife or father, influenced him as did his mother.” He followed her advice when young, he established her in the royal palace of Whitehall when he came to greatness, and when she died he buried her in Westminster Abbey.”

A plain, robust, substantial character she must have been, for, the historian adds, “She cared nothing for her son’s grandeur.” Her only thought seemed to be for his welfare and comfort and the honour of his name and reputation. From the mother of Augustine to the mother of John Wesley, and from the mother of John Wesley to Victoria, the mother of Edward VII, the story of Christian motherhood has been the brightest thing on the page of history. Henry Ward Beecher, whose mother died when he was three years old, said, “No devout Roman Catholic ever saw so much in the Virgin Mary as I beheld in the childhood vision and memory’s dream of my sainted mother.”

That angel form was ever present in the life of the great preacher. She haunted his thoughts in youth. She hovered over the study hours of his maturity. She lingered near the sacred desk as her famous son entered the holy of holies in the house of prayer and petition.

She stood by him in the moments of his fierce oratorical conflicts when he stood before angry mobs and opposing elements. James L. Gordon