*From The Excellent Woman of Proverbs 31 written in 1847 by Anne Pratt (1806-1893)
HER CHILDREN ARISE UP, AND CALL HER BLESSED:
HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISETH HER.
HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISETH HER.
Proverbs 31:28
The expression of rising up to bless the parent may have some allusion to the eastern practice of rising and bowing to the ground before the head of the family, as this mode of reverence is very general. Its full meaning, however, appears to be that in which it would be taken in our land; that the children rise from infancy to childhood, and on to youth and manhood, with hearts full of affection, and grateful recollections of the worth of an excellent mother.
It has been said that home praise is the truest praise;...A far higher virtue and more consistent excellence belongs to her of whom all her household can speak well,...how pleasant is it to hear the blessings bestowed by the child on the name of the good mother!
When the law was given from Mount Sinai to ancient Israel, we find included in it not only the reverence of the father, but "Thou shalt honour thy father and thy mother," was its direct injunction. It would be from the lip of his mother that the Jewish child would learn his most sacred lessons.
The husband of the excellent woman is represented as adding his praise to that of the younger members of the family. He could indeed point to her example for their imitation. He could praise her, not alone for the comfort which her useful energy cast throughout his home, but for the sweetness which her gentleness and goodness brought into it, and which rendered it so attractive. He could tell of enjoyment provided by her industry; of anxieties prevented by her caution; of sorrows lightened by her sympathy; and could perhaps look around on children walking in the fear of the Lord, who learned that fear from the teaching of their mother.