Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Skippack School

I just finished reading Skippack School,by Marguerite de Angeli, to my kids. Once again, I was inspired by a children's book. It is set in Colonial Pensylvainia, and the school master was a wonderful Christian teacher. I want to be like him. I liked the way he used scripture to train and correct the children. He did it in a loving way and always inspired the kids to do their best.

One particular quote, helped me to encourage Grace after a particularly difficult day.

"He still couldn't tell many of his letters, but Master Christopher said, 'There is time for all, my boy, if only we do not waste it. If today you do not learn, but TRY, the next time it will go better.' "

I was in tears as I read Master Christopher's prayer. I thought not only of my own kids, but also of the kids in my children's church.

"And Eli Shrawder, O Lord, he is not a BAD boy, but he is full of mischief. Help me to show him how to use his time aright. He has a sweet singing voice, too, but thou knowest that sometimes he uses that voice to say mischief---"

One of the Scriptures that I plan to use with my kids and church kids is, "He that keepeth himself is greater that he that taketh a city." I will find a more kid friendly translation and teach them how important it is to have self control, and that it is not an easy thing to do, but with God's help, they can do it.



I had to get this book through interlibrary loan, for those of you that may be interested and live in my county.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Master Christopher was Jonathan and Elizabeth's favorite character. Jonathan wrote an entire paragraph about him in his report about that book. It was very inspiring.

Randi Sue said...

I would like to read the report.

Lady G~ said...

Sounds like a wonderful book. I'll have to request it from the library.

crispy said...

Love getting new ideas for books. Thanks for sharing.

Leisa said...

We really loved this book when we read it last year.

Tiffany said...

We have read "Thee Hannah" another book by the same author. I am going to have to see if I can borrow this from someone.