Home Schools by H. R. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1912

Home Schools

By H. R. S.

“O’ER wayward childhood wouldst thou hold firm rule, And sun thee in the light of happy faces, Love, hope, and patience — these must be thy graces; And in thine own heart let them first keep school.” — Coleridge.

“Upon every Christian parent there rests the solemn obligation of giving to his children an education that will lead them to gain a knowledge of the Lord, and to become partakers of the divine nature through obedience to God’s will and way. A child’s first school should be his home.” — Mrs. E. G. White.

The following letter from one of our conference superintendents will be read with interest by all parents who appreciate the value of a Christian education:—

“Your last letter was in regard to home schools. I am interested in them, and see in them the hope of saving many of our children to this truth, who otherwise might not have church-school privileges.

“We had three in our conference last year, and of all the schools they were the most interesting, perhaps because of the great effort it took on the mothers’ part. One mother with four children — a boy of eight, a girl of six, another boy of four, and a baby of less than a year — conducted such a nice school. I wish you could have visited it. These were some of the things which she told:—

“‘When the time came for the public school to open this fall, and I knew that the law would compel me either to send my children or to provide a school, I was very much perplexed. On Sabbath we drove to a near-by church, and there a sister who conducted a family school the year before told me of her plan, and I came home determined with God’s help to keep my children under my care, and instruct them as best I could.

“‘When my neighbors learned of my plan, they thought me very foolish to take upon myself this added burden, with a public school in sight. They said, “It will take all your time. You will not have a day to yourself, where otherwise you might be relieved of their care several hours each day.” I told them I knew it would take all my time, even with careful planning, but that my children and their salvation were worth that much to me.’

“‘And now as to how she accomplished it. In the first place, they arose early in the morning, so as to have the breakfast eaten and housework done by eight o’clock. The morning session was from eight until eleven. Between eleven and one the mother prepared dinner, and finished the work incident to that. The afternoon session was from one until three thirty or four.

“‘She said that after the evening work was done, she put the children to bed, and she and her husband planned the school, the work, and the meals for the next day. Needless to say, her work was a real success, and she expects to begin again this year. In a letter which I have just received from her, she says: “Surely the dear Lord has blessed us the past year, and I know he will help me to train and teach these little ones.”

“I believe it is that confidence in God for his help, and a willingness on our part to make the effort at any cost, which count for success.

“I must mention one other point. She said her greatest perplexity was how to keep her little baby quiet enough not to disturb her. But she told the Lord each day that she must have special help, and she said that of her children this was the most quiet one, scarcely causing any disturbance at all during school hours.

“Another sister who conducted a family school writes that she is planning to continue it this year. A year ago this summer she attended the summer school. Some work which they sent from this home school to the county fair school exhibit took premiums.

“Still another who has taught her children for eight years or more sent her oldest girl to the academy, and moved with her other two to one of our churches, where she will conduct a church-school.

“Our conference has offered to these mothers the same financial help in attending summer school as to the other teachers.”

H. R. S.