CMP Review 2025-03-06

March 6, 2025

Charlotte Mason opens the 13th chapter of Parents and Children with a bold claim: “Things ‘Sacred’ and Things ‘Secular’ an Irreligious Classification.” She adds that “many thoughtful, earnest persons feel sorely the need of a conception of the divine relation which shall embrace the whole of human life.” I would say that many persons still crave this today.

To help us find a notion of faith that breaks down the unwelcome separation between sacred and secular, Mason recommends Eleven Sermons on Faith by Canon Beeching. She then spends 7 pages highlighting major ideas in this rare and beautiful book. Due to limitations of space, only a paragraph is given to the third sermon, “The Righteousness of Faith.”

What Mason does not tell us is that this sermon gives specific guidance on how to approach the season of Lent. How can we better prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter that is only six weeks away? Beeching can show you how.

Mason closed her chapter by saying, “I have not space to take up in detail all the teaching of this inspiring little volume; but I commend it to parents. Who, as they have need to nourish the spiritual life in themselves?” And what better time than this second day of Lent to read about “The Righteousness of Faith.” Find Beeching’s timeless sermon here.

@artmiddlekauff