RATIONAL LIFE 311 



same family, has a distinct heritage, determined by 

 varying conditions in embryological life. The common 

 inheritance is there, the good gift of reason. Within 

 the family circle, there is the common family training, 

 not always equal to all concerned, unfortunately. 

 A\ r ithin the distinctive inheritance of each, the 

 characteristics of nerve-sensibility most seriously 

 determine the demands on self-control to be made in 

 after-life. Here are most important considerations. 

 Kesponsibility does not begin when life begins ; and, 

 when it arises, it does not include responsibility for 

 the life-struggle entailed by the type of individuality 

 inherited. Responsibility for transmitting the inherit 

 ance cannot be transmitted. Whatever the mysteries 

 of heredity, they do not include an increase of 

 responsibility for the inheritor. What holds as to 

 inheritance of wealth, does not hold as to what is 

 more strictly personal inheritance. Common re 

 sponsibility begins with appearance of common 

 inheritance, in the activity of reason. Special 

 responsibility for each, begins with the struggle to 

 master his individuality under the conditions belong 

 ing to his life. Consider how slowly a child conies to 

 the consciousness of his own life-task, and you will see 

 the responsibility of parents and educationists in 

 training. How much they owe to the individual life 

 depending on their leading ; how much to the nation, 

 that these may be good citizens ! When we come to 

 manhood, or to womanhood, the burden must be taken 

 on our own shoulders. We are rational. On each 

 member of our race it devolves to cultivate and use 

 the effective power of his life ; to battle with the 

 evil which can be conquered ; to bear bravely the evil 



