“And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands.” I Thessalonians 4:11
One way to teach character to children is by reading aloud together a classic biography. A biography is the story of a person’s life told by another and affirms the value of the individual and the role of character in their life and achievements. It is the perfect teaching tool for parents and teachers.
One such biography is Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, the account of the life of Nathaniel Bowditch, born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1773. Nat had a gift for learning, especially mathematics, but his family was poor and unable to advance his education. He was indentured to nine years of servitude, where he determined to teach himself calculus, astronomy, languages, navigation, and other subjects. His Bible was his study companion, and despite many trials, losses, disappointments, and setbacks, he modeled the biblical qualities of diligence and industry to become successful in life.
Bowditch made many contributions to the welfare and safety of the maritime community in America and the world. He is remembered and honored with the title “Father of American Mathematics.” His book, The New American Practical Navigator, published in 1802, was an extensive task that corrected more than 8,000 errors in the navigation tables of the most reliable reference of the day and included information on oceanography, astronomy, and the latest navigation methods. By 1812 it was the standard navigation text aboard ships.
Teach the Children
- We share a heritage of American Christian character modeled for us by Nathaniel Bowditch.
- The qualities of diligence and industry are the building blocks of individual enterprise—traits in opposition to socialism.
- Christian character is the foundation of the liberty we enjoy in the United States today.