Experiences From the Home-School by Elizabeth Lawson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 2, 1912

Experiences From the Home-School

By Elizabeth Lawson

It seems but an echo of the call of our God to gather the children and teach them diligently the great and blessed truths of Him of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke, saying, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.”

What a noble calling! What a sacred trust! God’s own children, the lambs of his flock, to be trained for his service here; and these, if faithful, will live and reign with him forever. Yes, our wise Creator, who has given “to every man his work,” has planned that we who are shut in from the world in the capacity of mothers and ministers in the home, may yet be in his service,—called to be teachers, in ever so small a sphere, yet, if faithful, to receive the promise made to all who serve as such.

But how great the task appears when brought face to face with it! How incapable we feel for the work before us! How little we can do of ourselves,—even nothing, as Christ himself has declared. But does he not say, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you”? What does it matter if obstacles do arise like mountains, as they certainly will, when we begin to “put on the whole armor of God,” that we may be “able to stand against the wiles of the devil”? Through these very difficulties come our most blessed experiences,—a realization of our own weakness, and hence a firmer trust in God and the fulfilment of his every promise to us. Truly, I can say, with Joshua of old, “Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you.”

In a country home, with a frail constitution, and the needs of a family of seven to be provided for, four children to be educated, the Testimonies declaring that the time has come to take our children from the public schools and train them for the Lord’s service, yet no church-school privileges available, and finances not permitting the employment of a private teacher,—such was my situation four years ago. What was to be done? It would seem I had reached the Red Sea in my journey, with mountains on either side, and the enemy in the rear. But I had known the blessings of the church-school, and the joy of willing obedience to the Master.

A few friends to the cause of true education echoed the call to go forward, while more thought it unwise; and at length came the decision to attempt the discharge of this new duty which seemed thrust upon me. A room was accordingly furnished with seats from an abandoned school building; blackboards, maps, and such necessaries were obtained, and our work was begun. In spite of the awkwardness and discouragement attached to resuming with the children many studies practically abandoned for twelve years, the work proved in many ways a joyous one.

Abundant opportunity is offered in the home-school for bringing almost every capability of the child into action. Every lesson is made practical, and surely it is the place of all places where the hearts of parents and children are turned to each other and cemented by a love and confidence that will do much toward weakening the attacks of the enemy. Here is the place where strength and weakness meet, where praise and thanksgiving for every joy and blessing ascend, and strength and wisdom for every difficulty are implored, and thus a saving faith in God is established.

And when the mother gives so much of her time to the training of her children, it becomes imperative that they, in turn, share, to the extent of their ability, the duties and responsibilities of the home; thus they are better prepared to cope with the real, practical life before them.

I often find it advisable to hear the reading lessons, and to talk of the lessons taught therein, while preparing the morning meal. I find, too, that the older children can give the spelling drills to each other, in my presence. Many times and in many ways the work may be planned so as to get in all the parts that are really essential to the well-being of the home and home-school.

Health and strength have been given; for God’s promise stood ever before me: “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. . . . They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isa. 40: 29-31.

How sad our hearts are made as we look upon the devices that Satan has laid to ensnare our children and youth, and even ourselves! How imperfect we are! Nevertheless the encouraging words to us are: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isa. 41: 10. “Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isa. 49: 25.

In the face of such promises and the evidence that we have of God’s leading, I am almost made to wonder that anything should cause us for one moment to become discouraged. And when, day after day, I see my children, even the child of only eight summers, searching out the Bible from among the books, in order to hear again the stories so wonderfully true, and so fascinating to the pure mind, and containing morals so broad that they extend into eternity,—when I see them making these stories a part even of their play, I know that they are making lasting impressions, and that the Bible can never become an uninteresting book to my children. And as I seek to impart to them a knowledge of the things essential to their well-being, as I sow or water the seeds of truth, I pray that God may give the increase of all our labors.

“And when he comes, the King in all his glory, Who died the shameful death our souls to win, O, may the gates of heaven shut about us With all the children in!”

MRS. ELIZABETH LAWSON.