Home Education by Mrs. M. A. Loper

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 9, 1902

Home Education

By Mrs. M. A. Loper

MRS. M. A. LOPER

WHEN the great Creator instituted the earthly home, he meant that it should be the abode of happiness, where love should be the ruling principle, and where the household should be “all taught of God.” But Satan has well-nigh crushed out the great principle of love, and undermined the very foundations of domestic happiness; so that only here and there is to be found a home in which the divine purpose is fulfilled.

“God is love;” and the earthly home should be governed by the same great principle which rules the universe. “Home should be made a little heaven to go to heaven in.” Parents who secure from their children obedience which is actuated by love; who possess that wisdom from above which enables them so to direct their children’s education that they do not willfully disobey, are surely following the injunction, “Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4.

There is just one thing to be aimed at in all proper education, and that is salvation,—the salvation of the individual, and the fitting of that individual to be of the greatest service possible in the salvation of others.

Compulsory obedience is not the ideal to be reached. He who professes Christianity, thinking thereby to escape punishment, should not censure his child who renders outward obedience through the same selfish motive. A child may be compelled to go to bed promptly at eight o’clock. But how many parents have retired to rest, fondly believing that their boys or girls were safe from contaminating influences, when in reality they had secretly stolen away, and were even then among their cherished companions of the street. Home education is an immensely practical thing; and as a child grows older, the fact becomes more and more apparent that love, and not compulsion or fear of punishment, must be the keynote of obedience. It is not so much that a child is compelled to do a certain thing, as it is that his hearty co-operation is secured in the doing of it,—that he learns to “do right because it is right.” The child who has been allowed to run the streets may be broken of his evil habit, but not by mere compulsion. His co-operation must be secured in the reform. He must be furnished with better employment. Compelling a child to remain at home, and at the same time providing nothing with which to employ his time, is like adopting a starvation diet after abandoning everything that is regarded objectionable. The consistent reformer substitutes something better than a meat diet, something that is both palatable and nourishing. So with the child; he must be allowed to substitute employment that is both agreeable and profitable; and it is the parents’ duty to teach him to love labor.

“If children were taught to regard the humble round of everyday duties as the course marked out for them by the Lord, as a school in which they were to be trained to render faithful and efficient service, how much more pleasant and honorable would their work appear. To perform every duty as unto the Lord throws a charm around the humblest employment, and links the workers on earth with the holy beings who do God’s will in heaven.” — “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 574.

What a wonderful example of proper home education we have in the life of Samuel! How carefully his pious mother trained him for the service of God, and how richly were her faithful labors rewarded! “Young as he was when brought to minister in the tabernacle, Samuel had even then duties to perform in the service of God, according to his capacity. These were at first very humble, and not always pleasant; but they were performed to the best of his ability, and with a willing heart. His religion was carried into every duty of life. He regarded himself as God’s servant, and his work as God’s work. His efforts were accepted, because they were prompted by love to God and a sincere desire to do his will. . . . The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight of God as was Samuel.” — Ibid., pages 573, 574.

Many a mother, becoming weary of the task of looking after her children, feels a sense of relief when she starts them to the kindergarten or the public school. In fact, she prefers two sessions a day; for she “knows where the children are,” and—she will not be bothered with their noise. Some mothers even send their children to the neighbors, that they may enjoy their absence, seemingly forgetting the principle of the golden rule, or the fact that in time the neighbors may tire of the extra burden. Children know more than we sometimes give them credit for. A child of five years was heard to remark at a neighbor’s house. “My mama don’t want me at home.” The child who knows that he is not wanted at home has learned a very sad lesson. His parents may see the time when they will long to have him at home, when he has drifted

far beyond their reach. If a child is not welcome at home, there are plenty of places where he is welcome; and should he fall a victim to Satan’s snares, who will be responsible for his downfall? If a mother tires of the companionship of her child, it is indeed difficult for that child to love home. “Home is where mother is;” and if mother tires of his presence, what is there left for him to love?

That mother who realizes what school life means, what the street means for her children, is glad when the hour arrives for them to be at home. She does not want prolonged school hours in order to “know where the children are.” Her children know that they are missed when they are absent, and that they are welcome when they return home.

Home should be the center of attraction for every member of the household. It should afford the greatest enjoyment, the most profitable pastimes, the most useful employment, for every child. Its morning and evening devotions should be such as will still link the soul to heaven, even when the family circle has been broken. Its influence should lead the mind into ever-widening fields of usefulness, inspire courage to surmount every obstacle in the way to the highest success, and ever impress the great truth, “Without me ye can do nothing.” The loftiest ideal of which man can conceive, is reached in rendering the greatest possible service to humanity. Home education should recognize God in nature, in every stage of development from the tiny acorn to the stately oak, from the dormant seed to the bursting blossom. It should recognize that every bird song is a carol of praise to the Creator; that every tiny insect is a miracle of his power; that “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork;” that the body is his temple, and that whosoever defileth “the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” O what a world of truth may be imparted to a child during the few precious years which constitute the period of his home education!