Two Home Pictures by Mrs. D. A. Fitch

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Two Home Pictures

By Mrs. D. A. Fitch

Miss — had for some years been a successful school-teacher; but finally decided to settle in a home of her own. The message of present truth had found its way to the hearts of the husband and wife, and in its acceptance there was found cheer and comfort. So far as they could see, all things over which they had control were being used to spread the message to the far regions of the earth.

Many cares and perplexities came. The family increased, and love for the message began to wane little by little. As the children grew in size and years, the question of their education presented itself. What should be done? The public school was the only available means — so they thought — to furnish them the needful knowledge required to give success in life. The Scriptures were read and taught in the home, good morals inculcated, but all these things could not counteract the baneful influence exerted by the habits and practises of a heterogeneous mass of worldly children. Now what could be done to eradicate this assimilated evil? To dispose of the home and locate near a church-school seemed out of the question, and such a change might not have been founded in wisdom. A home school was suggested, but the mother had no time for that, and, too, she doubted her ability to keep abreast of the times. Thus the subject was dismissed. The mother, who had taught large numbers of children twice the age of her own, not willingly, but because of circumstances, permitted another to stand in her place and usurp the prerogative a wise and loving Providence had given her. The children were graduated from high school, and went into the world, having little or no sympathy with the sorrowing parents or the truth they loved.

The second picture is of a home similar to the first so far as attainments and environments are concerned, but differing in the fact that the founder of the home was truly its head, being not only husband and father, but priest of the household. The home was a world in itself. No dependence was placed on the outside so far as social and educational advantages were to be found,

From the early days of each child the name of Jesus and “our Father” were household words. The mother felt her inability to correctly educate her children, but seeking help from on high, she persevered, calling to her aid all the helps possible. In her need she called upon the mighty Helper, that not only she, but multitudes of other mothers yearning for the welfare of their children, might have the best assistance. Then was her mind led along such ways as these: Since nearly all sciences are now taught by correspondence, and so many mothers would like to be the teachers of their own children, why can there not be a correspondence school for mother-teachers, to assist in this grand but comparatively new home missionary work? Educational leaders were consulted, and immediate steps taken to furnish such a course of instruction with the needed text-books. Not one only, but many mothers welcomed the visit of the postman when to their doors came the large envelope containing that which to them was more precious than gold or pearls. Household work and cares were simplified that time might be spent in study, with the highly gratifying results attained only where Jesus dwells as the unseen teacher, and the mother the under teacher.

This family, united in the truth, stand staunch advocates and living examples of the truth for this present time, happily teaching as they were taught.

These two pictures may serve to illustrate what has been done, as well as what may be done when the will is in harmony with what the Lord has shown this people is his will. The first is real and frequently seen among us. The second is in some respects prospective, but possible, and it should be the prayer of every lover of Jesus that the day may be hastened when fathers, mothers, and elder brothers and sisters shall be the home teachers of the children, and thus more homes remain intact.

MRS. D. A. FITCH.