Importance of the Home School
11
Not a Secondary Matter—Let not home education be regarded
as a secondary matter. It occupies the first place in all true educa-
tion. Fathers and mothers have entrusted to them the molding of their
children’s minds
How startling is the proverb, “As the twig is bent, the tree is
inclined.” This is to be applied to the training of our children. Parents,
will you remember that the education of your children from their
earliest years is committed to you as a sacred trust? These young trees
are to be tenderly trained, that they may be transplanted to the garden
of the Lord. Home education is not by any means to be neglected.
Those who neglect it neglect a religious duty
The Great Scope of Home Education—Home education means
much. It is a matter of great scope. Abraham was called the father of
the faithful. Among the things that made him a remarkable example
of godliness was the strict regard that in his home he paid to the
commands of God. He cultivated home religion. He who sees the
education given in every home, and who measures the influence of
this education, said, “I know him that he will command his children
and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord,
to do justice and judgment.
God commanded the Hebrews to teach their children His require-
ments, and to make them acquainted with all His dealings with their
[19]
people. The home and the school were one. In the place of stranger
lips, the loving hearts of the father and mother were to give instruction
to their children. Thoughts of God were associated with all the events
of daily life in the home dwelling. The mighty works of God in the de-
liverance of His people were recounted with eloquence and reverential
awe. The great truths of God’s providence and of the future life were
impressed on the young mind. It became acquainted with the true, the
good, the beautiful.
By the use of figures and symbols the lessons given were illustrated,
and thus more firmly fixed in the memory. Through this animated
imagery the child was, almost from infancy, initiated into the mysteries,
the wisdom, and the hopes of his fathers, and guided in a way of
5
The Review and Herald, June 6, 1899
.
6
Manuscript 84, 1897
.
7
Letter 9, 1904
.