Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

626 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[683][684]Has the stomach power to make sour bread sweet? heavy bread light?moldy bread fresh?Mothers neglect this branch in the education of their daughters.They take the burden of care and labor, and are fast wearing out, whilethe daughter is excused, to visit, to crochet, or study her own pleasure.This is mistaken love, mistaken kindness. The mother is doing aninjury to her child, which frequently lasts her lifetime. At the agewhen she should be capable of bearing some of life’s burdens, sheis unqualified to do so. Such will not take care and burdens. Theygo light-loaded, excusing themselves from responsibilities, while themother is pressed down under her burden of care, as a cart beneathsheaves. The daughter does not mean to be unkind; but she is carelessand heedless, or she would notice the tired look and mark theexpression of pain upon the countenance of the mother, and wouldseek to do her part to bear the heavier part of the burden and relievethe mother, who must have freedom from care or be brought upon abed of suffering and, it may be, of death.Why will mothers be so blind and negligent in the education of theirdaughters? I have been distressed, as I have visited different families,to see the mother bearing the heavy burden, while the daughter, whomanifested buoyancy of spirit and had a good degree of health andvigor, felt no care, no burden. When there are large gatherings, andfamilies are burdened with company, I have seen the mother bearingthe burden, with the care of everything upon her, while the daughtersare sitting down chatting with young friends, having a social visit.These things seem so wrong to me that I can hardly forbear speakingto the thoughtless youth and telling them to go to work. Release yourtired mother. Lead her to a seat in the parlor and urge her to rest andenjoy the society of her friends.But the daughters are not the ones to be blamed wholly in thismatter. The mother is at fault. She has not patiently taught her daughtershow to cook. She knows that they lack knowledge in the cookingdepartment, and therefore feels no release from the labor. She mustattend to everything that requires care, thought, and attention. Youngladies should be thoroughly instructed in cooking. Whatever be theircircumstances in life, here is knowledge which may be put to a practicaluse. It is a branch of education which has the most direct influenceupon human life, especially the lives of those held most dear. Many a