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True Education a Missionary Training
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home, faithfully and cheerfully acting His part in bearing the house-
hold burdens. He who had been the commander of heaven was a
willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He learned a trade and with
His own hands worked in the carpenter’s shop with Joseph. In the
garb of a common laborer He walked the streets of the little town,
going to and returning from His humble work.
The people of that age estimated the value of things by outward
show. As religion had declined in power, it had increased in pomp.
The educators of the time sought to command respect by display
and ostentation. To all this the life of Jesus presented a marked
contrast. His life demonstrated the worthlessness of those things
widely regarded as life’s great essentials. He did not attend the
schools of His time, with their magnifying of things small and their
belittling of things great. His education was gained from Heaven-
appointed sources—useful work, study of the Scriptures, nature,
and the experiences of life. These lesson books of God are full of
instruction to all who bring to them the willing hand, the seeing eye,
and the understanding heart.
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“The Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace of God was upon Him.”
Luke 2:40
.
Thus prepared, He went forth to His mission, in every moment of
His contact with men and women exerting upon them an influence to
bless, a power to transform, such as the world had never witnessed.
The home is the child’s first school, and it is here that the foun-
dation should be laid for a life of service. Its principles are to be
taught not merely in theory; they are to shape the whole life training.
Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught to children.
As soon as strength and reasoning power are sufficiently developed,
children should be given duties to perform in the home. They should
be encouraged to try helping father and mother, to deny and to
control themselves, to put others’ happiness and convenience before
their own, to watch for opportunities to cheer and assist brothers
and sisters and playmates, and to show kindness to the aged, the
sick, and the unfortunate. The more fully the spirit of true ministry
pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives
of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice
for the good of others.