CMP Review 2026-03-31

March 31, 2026

“When CM uses the word ‘personality,’ should we take her to mean ‘personhood’ or ‘personness’?” wrote my friend. “Today, personality usually (always?) means the collection of all the unique characteristics which make one person different from another person.”

My friend’s question was a natural one. Surely Charlotte Mason must have had in mind lofty ideas like personhood and bearing the image of God. She could not possibly have been referring to something as banal as individual distinctions and personal characteristics… or could she?

To answer my friend’s question, I am pointing him to a 1918 article by Rev. Francis Lewis, a devoted friend of Miss Mason and frequent contributor to the Parents’ Review. Published in December of that year, the article surveys a range of topics from the education of individuals to the relationship between nations.

Lewis offers a definition of the word personality. But he does much more than that. He also talks about how the Lord Jesus Christ developed the personality of each individual disciple and how personality may be developed by parents and teacher today. And in the course of his piece, he reminds us of the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Consummation of all things. It is not only an insightful article on education; it is also a wonderful meditation for Holy Week. Find it here.

@artmiddlekauff