Chapter 5—Manual Training
Life is not given to us to be spent in idleness or self-pleasing; but
great possibilities have been placed before every one who will develop
his God-given capabilities. For this reason the training of the young
is a matter of the highest importance. Every child born into the home
is a sacred trust. God says to the parents, Take this child, and bring it
up for me, that it may be an honor to my name, and a channel through
which my blessings shall flow to the world. To fit the child for such a
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life, something more is called for than a partial, one-sided education,
which shall develop the mental at the expense of the physical powers.
All the faculties of mind and body need to be developed; and this is
the work which parents, aided by the teacher, are to do for the children
and youth placed under their care.
The first lessons are of great importance. It is customary to send
very young children to school. They are required to study from books
things that tax their young minds, and often they are taught music.
Frequently the parents have but limited means, and an expense is
incurred which they can ill afford; but everything must be made to
blend to this artificial line of education. This course is not wise. A
nervous child should not be overtaxed in any direction, and should not
learn music until he is physically well developed.
The mother should be the teacher, and home the school where
every child receives his first lessons; and these lessons should include
habits of industry. Mothers, let the little ones play in the open air;
let them listen to the songs of the birds, and learn the love of God as
expressed in his beautiful works. Teach them simple lessons from the
book of nature and the things about them; and as their minds expand,
lessons from books may be added, and firmly fixed in the memory.
But let them also learn, even in their earliest years, to be useful. Train
them to think that, as members of the household, they are to act an
interested, helpful part in sharing the domestic burdens, and to seek
healthful exercise in the performance of necessary home duties.
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