A CHAPTER FOR WIVES AND MOTHERS 495 



by proper attention to the laws under consideration. 

 All cannot be equally beautiful ; every child cannot be 

 a genius; the influence of six thousand years of trans- 

 gression cannot be effaced in a single generation; but 

 persevering, conscientious efforts to comply with every 

 requirement of health, purity, morality, and the laws 

 of nature, will accomplish wonders in securing healthy 

 children with good dispositions, brilliant intellects, and 

 beautiful bodies. 



This is not the proper place to describe in detail a 

 plan to be pursued; but the few hints given, if rightly 

 appreciated, may enable those interested in the subject 

 to plan for themselves a proper course. In concluding 

 the subject, we may summarize its chief points as fol- 

 lows, for the purpose of impressing them more fully 

 upon the mind : 



The Origin of Evil.— 1. If a child is begotten in 

 lust, its lower passions will as certainly be abnormally 

 develoj^ed as peas will produce peas, or potatoes pro- 

 duce potatoes. If the child does not become a rake or 

 a prostitute, it will be because of uncommonly fortu- 

 nate surroundings, or a miracle of divine grace. But 

 even then, what terrible struggles with sin and vice, 

 with foul thoughts and lewd imaginations,— the product 

 of a naturally abnormal mind,— must such an individ- 

 ual suffer! If he is unsuccessful in the conflict, is he 

 alone to blame? Society, his fellowmen, will censure 

 him alone ; but He who knoweth all the secrets of human 

 life will pass a more lenient judgment on the erring 

 one, and mete out punishment where it most belongs. 



2. The same remarks apply with equal force to the 

 transmission of other qualities. If the interest of the 

 parents is only for self, with no thought for the well- 

 being of the one whose destiny is in their hands, they 



