CMP Review 2025-11-04

November 4, 2025

Charlotte Mason begins her philosophy of education with an understanding of the nature of the child. And she draws this understanding from the words of Christ. She alludes to Matthew 18:3, and insists that the utterance “Except ye become as little children ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven” is more a statement about children than about “the grown-up people” who have to become like them.

Rev. Francis Lewis was a devoted friend to Miss Mason and he preached at her church, St. Mary’s in Ambleside. When he took the text of Matthew 18:3 for a sermon, I was very interested to read what he said. How would he explore this saying of Christ that was so important to his friend?

Lewis’s beautiful sermon was printed in the 1924 Parents’ Review. His reflections on the heart of child teach us not only about children but also about Christ. And he invites us to consider the example of a wonderful saint who took Christ at His word. Read or hear it here.

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