It is a religious duty for every Christian girl and woman to learn at once to make good, sweet, light bread from unbolted wheat flour. Mothers should take their daughters into the kitchen with them when very young and teach them the art of cooking. The mother cannot expect her daughters to understand the mysteries of housekeeping without education. She should instruct them patiently, lovingly, and make the work as agreeable as she can by her cheerful countenance and encouraging words of approval. If they fail once, twice, or thrice, censure not. Already discouragement is doing its work and tempting them to say: “It is of no use; I can't do it.” This is not the time for censure. The will is becoming weakened. It needs the spur of encouraging, cheerful, hopeful words, as: “Never mind the mistakes you have made. You are but a learner and must expect to make blunders. Try again. Put your mind on what you are doing. Be very careful, and you will certainly succeed.” 1T 684.1 Many mothers do …
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
The EGW passage directly applies the principle of Proverbs 22:6 to the specific context of teaching daughters how to cook. It emphasizes the importance of early training, patience, and encouragement, aligning with the proverb's message of guiding children in the right way.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
The EGW passage explicitly states that learning to cook healthfully is a 'religious duty,' directly connecting the act of cooking to one's religious obligations. This aligns with the principle of 1 Corinthians 10:31, which calls for doing everything, including eating and drinking, to the glory of God. The EGW passage applies this principle to the specific context of food preparation.
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Both passages discuss the role of women in the home and the importance of teaching younger women domestic skills. Titus 2:4-5 outlines the qualities and responsibilities of women, including being keepers at home, while the EGW passage focuses on the specific skill of cooking and its importance for health and well-being. The connection is a valid thematic parallel.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
Both passages emphasize the importance of women being skilled in household tasks, particularly related to food preparation. Proverbs 31:27 speaks of a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household,' while EGW specifically addresses the skill of bread-making. The connection is thematic, focusing on diligence and skill in domestic duties.
"Thus the first efforts of the learners are repulsed, and the first failure so cools their interest and ardor to learn that they dread another trial, and will propose to sew, knit, clean house—anything but cook. Here the mother was greatly at fault. She should have patiently instructed them that they might by practice obtain an experience which would remove the awkwardness and remedy the unskillful movements of the inexperienced worker. Here I will add extracts from Testimony , No. 10, page 392 , published in 1864: 1T 685.2"
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Both passages discuss the importance of training children, and the lasting impact of that training. EGW's passage provides a specific example of how a lack of patient instruction can negatively impact a child's development, which aligns with the general principle in Proverbs 22:6.
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Both passages discuss the role of women in the home and the importance of teaching young women domestic skills. Titus 2:4-5 instructs older women to teach younger women to be keepers at home, while EGW emphasizes the importance of mothers teaching their daughters to cook. The connection is thematic, focusing on the role of women and domestic skills.
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4 warns against provoking children to wrath and emphasizes nurture and admonition. EGW's passage speaks against indulging children and allowing them to follow their own inclinations, which can lead to negative character traits. Both passages address the importance of proper parenting and avoiding harmful practices.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
Both passages highlight the importance of women being skilled and diligent in household tasks. Proverbs 31:27 speaks of a woman who 'looketh well to the ways of her household,' while EGW specifically addresses the skill of cooking and avoiding idleness. The connection is thematic, focusing on diligence and skill in domestic duties.
"worry their way through the world, hardly able to bear their own weight, often murmuring and fretting because everything does not suit them. 1T 685.3"
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"
The EGW passage directly addresses the issue of 'murmuring' which is the key element in Philippians 2:14. The context of worry and dissatisfaction amplifies the negative connotation of murmuring.
"“Mistaken parents are teaching their children lessons which will prove ruinous to them, and are also planting thorns for their own feet. They think that by gratifying the wishes of their children, and letting them follow their own inclinations, they can gain their love. What an error! Children thus indulged grow up unrestrained in their desires, unyielding in their dispositions, selfish, exacting, and overbearing, a curse to themselves and to all around them. To a great extent, parents hold in their own hands the future happiness of their children. Upon them rests the important work of forming the character of these children. The instructions given in childhood will follow them all through life. Parents sow the seed which will spring up and bear fruit either for good or evil. They can fit their sons and daughters for happiness or for misery. 1T 685.4"
"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."
Both passages address the consequences of undisciplined children. Proverbs 29:15 states that a child left to himself brings shame, while EGW describes the negative character traits that develop in indulged children. Both emphasize the importance of discipline and guidance in raising children.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Both passages highlight the long-term impact of childhood training. Proverbs 22:6 states that training a child in the right way will prevent them from departing from it when they are old, while EGW emphasizes that the instructions given in childhood will follow them throughout life and determine their future happiness or misery. Both passages underscore the importance of early childhood education and character development.