FFQF: Benjamin Rush on Motherhood
Today’s quote comes from Benjamin Rush, a great but under-estimated Founding Father and American. In my humble opinion, he was one of the greatest men among the Founding Fathers. David Barton wrote an excellent biography of him, which is available from Wallbuilders, as a PDF on CD-Rom, or a book (paperback or hardback).
I think that Rush is a very fitting person to speak on this subject. The fact that he was an educator, physician, and social activist, as well as the fact that he and his wife Julia had thirteen children (!), certainly put him in a very good position to appreciate the important role of mothers.
From the numerous avocations from their families, to which a professional life exposes gentlemen in America, a principal share of the instruction of children naturally devolves upon the women. It becomes us therefore to prepare them by a suitable education, for the discharge of this most important duty of mothers. …
From the numerous avocations from their families, to which a professional life exposes gentlemen in America, a principal share of the instruction of children naturally devolves upon the women. It becomes us therefore to prepare them by a suitable education, for the discharge of this most important duty of mothers. …
The influence of female education would be still more extensive and useful in domestic life. The obligations of gentlemen to qualify themselves by knowledge and industry to discharge the duties of benevolence, would be increased by marriage; and the patriot — the hero — the legislator, would find the sweetest reward of their toils, in the approbation and applause of their wives.
Children would discover the marks of maternal prudence and wisdom in every station of life; for it has been remarked that there have been few great or good men who have not been blessed with wise and prudent mothers. Thoughts Upon Female Education (1787) from Essays on Literary, Moral, and Political Subjects (by Benjamin Rush), page 76 and 88
Although it is true that fathers are the heads of their respective families, and therefore bear the burden of responsibility to lead the family in virtue and uprightness, mothers, at least in our country, are the most fundamental instructors of youth. Their words and their example effect children from their earliest years.
Today, I would like to make the sad announcement that our friend Jean from Yeah, Right… will not be contributing to FFQF. I have really appreciated her posts in the past, and she has a great blog. She will continue to blog, and she is writing a book (which takes up time, and is why she must skip our meme), but she is doing as God leads, and that is not to be regretted. We will miss you, Jean!
5 Responses to “FFQF: Benjamin Rush on Motherhood”
November 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Golly Gee, Herky, now you ARE going to make me cry! I feel like I’m going to Siberia or someplace. But I’m not – I’m really not!
November 14th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Great quote by Rush!! I’m stumped today.
I think I need to read more founding father’s writings. Hmmm. The day is not over yet, so I still may get something up!
And Jean– what are you moving to Siberia for?!
haha. Awwww we’ll miss you, Jean!!! Waaaaah! dontgodontgodontgo!!!
November 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Weeeeell, this is mine for today. It’s kinda lame.
http://newyorktraveler.net/ffqf-what-washington-said/
I’m sorry, Herky, it must be a lousy day for ya, with Jean going to Siberia and all (heehee), and me with such a lame quote today.
I promise to make it up to you and have a good quote soon!
November 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Aw, I didn’t mean to make you cry Jean. Nor you, Mrs. M.
I hope the theme I chose for this month did not discourage you from participating. If it is too difficult for anyone, they can hold off if they want to. But only on the condition that they will stop by and read my posts, and leave me a comment.
Thanks for your post, Mrs. M. You left me laughing out loud at the end of it all.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Herky, I have to tell you that Mrs. M. is … incorrigible!
And just so you all know, Siberia is absolutely, positively out of the question. When we talk about moving, I say Caribbean and sand beaches; my hubby says northern Maine and deep woods. Now you know why
WE’RE
NOT
GOING
ANYWHERE!
(Sorry, sometimes I just hafta yell!) lol
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