WHAT TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY GIRLS CAN LEARN from ELSIE DINSMORE

WINNER — 13-18 CATEGORY

Rebekah A. Vari

I was about eleven years old when I was first introduced to Elsie Dinsmore. The book sat on the shelf in our living room for several months before I took the opportunity to find out what it was about. Once I did, I eagerly anticipated reading the next book...and then the next. I remember meeting Elsie in that low-ceilinged schoolroom at an estate called Roselands and following her through her girlhood, her young womanhood, her motherhood, and finally to the point when she became a grandmother. For me, Elsie was not a storybook character...she was my friend. She was my hero and my example to point me in the way of true Christian devotion and nobility. Hers was a model story for me, because she spurred me on to something higher. Unfortunately, I have found many who complain about Elsie because they consider her “too perfect” or “too good.” I have found that they think this because the standards upheld by the Elsie character are high, noble, and rare in today’s society. Too often, a spirit of mediocrity is accepted among Christian girls today. They have nothing to give them a vision of something better, and there is a great dearth of Christian literature to spur them onto something higher. Though many have dismissed Elsie because of her “scrupulous” principles, I believe if they would look again, they would find in Elsie a true example of Christian principle. What are these areas that have made a difference in my life and the lives of countless others who have read the Elsie books? There are many areas portrayed in Elsie’s life from which the girls of today could benefit, but have chosen to point out three that are crucial to the life of any godly young lady.

First, the Elsie character is portrayed as having a strong love for the Lord. To put it plainly, I believe that without this element the Elsie books would fail to have a lasting impact and would take their place among the scores of other novels for girls that have no permanent value. We are shown this fact early on in the Elsie series as eight-year-old Elsie shares with her friend, Miss Rose, her deep desire to do what is right: “...O Miss Allison! I do Love Jesus, and want to be like Him always.” Instead of being encouraged to love the Lord in their youth, the young girls of today are being fed the idea that only human love is worth striving after and longing for. Elsie teaches us that there is much more. When all earthly love fails, it is God’s love that sustains us in our time of need. The first two Elsie books plainly demonstrate this as Elsie is faced with the struggle of choosing between obedience to God and the approval of her ungodly earthly father. “...Has it come to this, that I must choose between my father and my Saviour? And can I give up the love of Jesus? Oh, never, never!” Though Elsie is just a fictional character, and her situations simply part of a story, the principles that Martha Finley laid out are just as applicable to real life today as it was back when the story was written.

Second, Elsie stand for Christian principle. This is what turns most people off to the Elsie books. To many, Elsie seems “scrupulously” perfect. Yet too often they focus on her perfection and not her example. Elsie’s stand for principle is challenging, but in young women today there is very little stand for truth, much less principle, in their lives. The balance comes when we can look at Elsie’s example and determine where the Lord wants us to emulate those qualities and principles in our own lives. Not everyone is going to have the exact same standards as Elsie, and not everyone will stand for the same things. We must look deeper. Elsie took a stand for the things she knew in her heart violated her consciences and went against God’s Word, and so should we.

Finally, Elsie has a very strong relationship with her father. This is the most prevalent theme throughout the entire series. Even the original publishers insisted that Martha Finley do away with Elsie’s husband to keep this factor of the story intact. Throughout Elsie’s life she had nothing but a very intense love and respect for her father, even when she was treated cruelly by him before he became a Christian. She sought him four counsel, support, and encouragement in what was right, and he gave her understanding, love, and a sense of trust in return. If only there could be that same relationship between daughters and fathers today! Daughters would be provided with protection from outside influences, their hearts would be safe in their keeping until the right one came along to claim it, and they would have the satisfaction of knowing that if all else failed, their father would be there for them in their time of need. A daughter’s relationship with her earthly father is a picture of her relationship with heavenly Father. The two go hand in hand. Elsie teaches us respect, reverence, and love for her father because she had the same for the Lord. So often in today’s culture the emphasis is put on relationships outside the home in work situations, with school friends, and even with others at church. What is essential for a strong basis in a godly young woman’s life is a solid relationship at home. As Elsie demonstrates, there is no other place where young woman can be either fulfilled or blessed than under her father’s roof.

Each of these three factors is missing in the lives of many Christian young ladies today, but each of them is attainable by the grace of God. It starts with having an open heart to what the Lord would have you to learn through the examples He brings into your life Won’t yo let Elsie be one of those examples? With so few role models of exceptional character today for young women in either human or literature form, shouldn’t Elsie be warmly welcomed into our homes as a friend to guide, encourage, and inspire the girls of today to noble womanhood? I would encourage you to see for yourself and accept Elsie not just as a story’s heroine, but as a true friend.

ABOUT REBEKAH A. VARI

Rebekah is eighteen years old and lives with her parents and two siblings in Circleville, Ohio. She was home educated since she was five, and has been graduated for two years. She has an active interest in creative writing and also teaches piano lessons. On the side she enjoys sewing, cross-stitch, flower gardening, and calligraphy. She has always been an avid reader and Elsie Dinsmore is her favorite series.

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