We have been brought, through the kindness of our Heavenly Father, to
this the first anniversary of our Maternal Association. We meet to-day
that we may together look back upon the year just closing, and recall
the mercies and judgments of our God, in which I think we cannot fail
to recognize the guiding hand of our Heavenly Father, who we believe
has presided over and defended the dearest interests of this our little
society. We bless his name that a few individuals, sustaining the sacred
name of mother, and upon whom consequently devolve important duties,
were led to roll their burden, in all its magnitude, upon an Almighty
arm, and in a united capacity to plead for promised grace. We rejoice
that this feeling has been perpetuated, and that there have been those
who have not "forsaken the assembling of themselves together," but who
have been drawn to the place of prayer by an irresistible influence,
esteeming it a privilege thus to resign their numerous anxieties into
the hands of an all-wise God. And may we not rejoice, dear sisters, that
as each returning fortnight has brought its precious opportunity for
prayer and instruction, our hearts have cheerfully responded to its
call, and that we have hailed these seasons as acknowledged and
well-tested sources of profit. If they have not proved so to us, have we
not reason to fear that our guilt will be greatly increased, and that we
shall share the condemnation of those who have been frequently and
faithfully reminded of duty, but who have failed in its performance?
During the past year we have had twenty-two meetings, the most of which
have been attended by from six to ten mothers.
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