II. The Value of a Woman

   A woman is of great value, probably more value then we sometimes think. She is of great value because her far-reaching influence for good. The greatest trust in the world is in the hands of a woman.
   Someone said the most influential position in the nation today is held by a woman. She enforces law, practices medicine, and teaches--without degrees, certificate of confidence, or required training. She handles the nation's food, administers its drugs, practices emergency first aid, and tests for all the spiritual, physical and mental ills of the American family.
   A man literally places his life and the lives of his children in the hands of a woman. Her influence has no limit. The woman may mark the pathway for generations to come. She can be the key to success or failure of her children's lives.
   Susannah Wesley helped shape the spiritual history of two continents in rearing John and Charles Wesley. If you doubt that, read the book, "This Great Freedom Whence?" and you will discover that many of the blessings we enjoy in America are by-products of the Wesley revivals.
   In Kentucky, many years ago, there lived a sweet-tempered Christian lady. There were many things she did not know, but she did know the Bible. She used to tell her little boy Bible stories, as they sat by the fire in the log cabin.
   She did not know science, but she loved nature, and she told her little boy the glory of God in the world!
   She did not understand philosophy, but she told her boy the worst thing in the world is to be a hypocrite while the noblest thing in the world was to be a good, true man.
   Her boy grew up to become President of the United States. He was Abraham Lincoln. After his mother's death, he said, "All I am and all I will ever be I owe to my darling mother."
   Did you know every dope addict, every prostitute, every drunk, every murderer, once sat on a mother's knee. learned from a mother's lips and listened to a mother's song?
   Billy Sunday said, "If you want to hurt the Devil, don't hit him with a crutch; hit him with a cradle." I heard Dr. John R. Rice say, "The best way to get rid of drunks is to stop raising them."
   I cannot overemphasize the importance of the woman's role in the world. I wish I could make you see it like I have seen and thought about it today. Human life is placed in a woman's hands. God's own Son was placed in the arms of a woman. You may be holding in your arms the next John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, John R. Rice, Lee Roberson, Jack Hyles--who know? Eternal destinies are placed in a woman's hands.
   Regarding Timothy, Paul said, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." (2nd Timothy 1:5). He gives not only Timothy's mother credit for his great life; but he gives the grandmother credit, too.
   Did you know most people are saved while they are children? In revival meetings, I have asked how many were saved before they were eleven years old; and, without expression, every time the majority of people raised their hands.
   I was saved when I was only eleven years old. Most children are saved before they leave home. DR. Lee Roberson was led to the Lord by a lady Sunday school teacher--Mrs. Daisy Hawes. Many preachers were led to the Lord by their mothers.
   A woman is important, too, because her offspring take on something of her likeness. Your children may not by everything you want them to be, but they will be a lot like you. Ezekiel 16:44 says, "As is the mother, so is her daughter." You don't beget what you want; you beget what you are. Women are very valuable.

End of Chapter Two

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