A. Training in Mother's Work
By Mrs. E. H. Whitney
In an article in the last issue of the Haskell Home Appeal was a reference to a course of training at the Home in mother's work, which has raised a question in the minds of some, judging from letters received. “What is the course? and for whom is it intended?” Early in the history of the Home we learned that love for children, though essential to the work, did not of itself make successful mothers, so we began classes with those employed in the Home, in which we attempted the study of the individual child, the influences which had made him what he was, and the influences needed to correct wrong tendencies and develop right ones. We called these first classes Mothers' Meetings. Of course we were led out on many lines,—the physical, the mental, the moral, and the spiritual condition of the child, his heredity, his employments and recreation, and many other things affecting the development of character. Out of these studies grew a course which we have found it necessary to ask every one to take who assumes any considerable responsibility in the care and training of the children. Physicians from the Sanitarium, teachers and others who have given the subjects years of study, have assisted in the instruction; and the course, as a whole, opens avenues of thought and experience which the worker in any mission field, home or foreign, will find of invaluable help. The instruction in nursing is practical and valuable; and while it is not intended as a full nurse's course, it is calculated to prepare the student to do home nursing whenever circumstances may require, and is an advantage if she wishes to enter a nurses' training school later. So also the work in Christian education, kindergarten, domestic science, sewing, sloyd, and physical culture is intended to open the door for the student into wider fields, in which, if she chooses, she may pursue to further proficiency any one of these to which she finds herself especially adapted. Who can take up this work to advantage?—Those who are to be connected with the Home as caretakers, as we have already said, and young people who wish to make work with children and youth a specialty. Such will find the instruction and the experiences in the Home helpful, whether they are preparing for kindergarten work or for the supervision of some department in an industrial school. The Lord says, through the prophet Malachi, that before the coming of Christ he will “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” See Mal. 4: 5, 6. This is being fulfilled on every side. Not alone among those who profess to be looking for the coming of the Lord, but everywhere thinking people are studying the problems of childhood and its development. Many principles of education and training that have long been overlooked are attracting attention, principles which the Christian parent or educator finds in the pages of his Bible, and to which God's Spirit has been trying to call our attention as a people for thirty years or more. Those who go “to the Word and to the Testimony” find these principles in their purity. Those who depend on the reflected light of science find more or less of truth, but mingled with it is a vast amount that is useless, if not actually misleading. The enemy of our souls and of our children's cares little how much people search for light if he can divert them from the true source, and lead them by false lights. There are parents everywhere among our people, and among others as well, who are asking seriously concerning their duty to their children. Like Manoah, they inquire, “How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” See Judges 13: 12. Letters often come to us from those who are not objects of charity, but who feel that their burden is too great to carry alone, asking us to take children, or mother and children, for a few months' training or experience. It is not the mission of the Home to relieve parents of responsibility, but we would gladly aid such in any way possible. Many of these parents would welcome to their homes those who could give them practical, helpful suggestions, who could set them on the right track of studying for themselves. Some of our more experienced workers have been highly appreciated at general meetings, especially where children were in attendance. From various places where they have gone, we have had most appreciative words concerning their work. More such might go out every year, besides those who could fill important places in the Home itself, if more earnest Christian women would give themselves to the work. One thing which seems to us to lie at the basis of child training is the relation of the child to the Bible and its study. Let a young child learn to love the Bible, and he will always find it a safeguard,—a lamp to his feet, and a light to his pathway. The Bible is therefore made the basis of our kindergarten work, and is given a leading place in all the educational work of the Home. The result, especially in the development of the little ones, has been such as to strengthen our convictions as to the wisdom of the plan. We may be asked, What have you to show for your work with the children?—To this we would answer, Character is not formed in a day nor in a year. Only eternity will furnish the full test; but whenever a conscientious worker who has grasped the idea of spiritual and practical training, has remained at her post, the results upon the children have been most encouraging. The failures, so far as evident, have come largely from the lack of such help in the Home, and the consequent necessity of untrained caretakers and frequent changes. The straightest sapling may be bent out of its course if subjected to pressure before it is hardened, and any child, however well he may seem to be developing under right influences, if these influences are for any reason interrupted, is likely for the time, at least, to degenerate, though the seed sown in prayer and watching may not utterly fail. During the past year we have refused many children whom we would gladly have taken, because we had not sufficient help, and were unwilling to take greater risks in this direction. The course for the coming year begins in November. We shall be glad to answer by personal correspondence any questions concerning the details of the work. Address Haskell Home, Battle Creek, Mich.