The Christian Activities of One Busy Mother by Agnes Lewis Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1916

The Christian Activities of One Busy Mother

By Agnes Lewis Caviness

AGNES LEWIS CAVINESS

ONE of the students of the mothers' normal department in the Fireside Correspondence School had not reported for a number of months, and we had begun to wonder why she did not seem to be keeping up her work. But we have recently received another lesson from her, accompanied by an explanation of the delay, which shows in such a striking way what an influence for good a Christian mother may have upon her community, that we present portions of her letter for the encouragement of other mothers:—

“DEAR INSTRUCTOR: It has been a long time since I have sent in a lesson, but I have not been idle in the meantime. All winter I have been holding Bible studies with my neighbors; and, finding that there was much interest, we engaged the aid of a minister. As a result a company of Sabbath keepers has been raised up in our neighborhood. On both sides of us are new believers. There is a Sabbath school of about thirty-five members. The meetings are held in our home.

“My little boy has been studying some all the time. He is halfway through his ‘Little Folks’ Bible Nature,’ and to page 112 in his reader. We have added three to our home school, so we now have four, and expect another will enter soon. My little girl, not quite three years of age, has her tiny desk, too, and comes to class. She cannot talk plainly, but in her baby language says the first two verses of Psalm 23. The children are learning this psalm in school, and she has learned some from hearing them recite. She knows many of the colors, and does fairly well at card sewing. The other children range from five to seven years of age. We have school from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon. I have the children help me with my work. This we call the domestic science class. They wipe dishes, help clean cupboards, sweep, etc. The parents who send their children are delighted with what is being done for them. The people are poor, so we make no charges; but I feel well paid when I see the good that is being done. There are older children in our Sabbath school, who go to the public school, but next fall we hope to be able to have a regular church school and hire a teacher.

“Besides our home school, I have six pupils taking lessons on the organ. This class consists of older girls in our Sabbath school, ranging from ten to twenty-two years of age. I also conduct a singing class every Saturday night, in which both old and young take part. On Sunday afternoon I have a class in Old Testament history for the young people.

“I do feel encouraged with my work. Of course I could do better if I had better facilities, but the people are so poor, and we are as poor as the rest, so we can't afford to buy many supplies. We have a good slate blackboard, tables, and seats. We also have a designing board on which the children make designs with bright-colored marbles. We use this in number work. Corn-flake boxes are utilized for sewing cards, etc. The Lord is certainly blessing our efforts, and I am thankful that I can work in this humble way for my Master. Pray for us.”

To this mother I would say: Surely the Lord is using you and your family to help your neighbors. I can well believe you are busy; but I know your happiness must be great at being able to help so many around you. Do not grieve over being slow at sending your lessons. Just continue your good work, and send the lessons as fast as you can.