THE PROBLEM OF SIN AND THE RACE 20I 



into being diseased morally and physically, then, 

 when the child does wrong not only is he to be 

 blamed, but the father who did wrong before him, 

 and those who made circumstances which led the 

 father into sin. Thus the line of responsibility 

 runs backward, and stops — who can tell where? 

 If each person came into existence perfectly wise, 

 with a strong will, and with no tendencies toward 

 either good or evil ; and if each could choose 

 just when and where he would first see the light, 

 and who would train him, even then it could not 

 be said that every man is responsible for himself 

 alone, and no man for another ; but all would be 

 far more nearly independent than at present. If 

 a young man born of respectable and sober 

 parents comes into a city environment, is thrown 

 into the company of the intemperate and vile, 

 and after a while, though formerly averse to evil, 

 becomes vicious, that young man is blameworthy 

 for yielding, but he shares his guilt with his 

 tempters and with those who suffered the con- 

 ditions to exist which made his fall, if not im- 

 perative, at least probable. If, now, in the course 

 of years, he continues in evil ways, and has a 

 family of his own, they will see the light not in 

 the clear day of his childhood, but with their eyes 

 dimmed and their powers weakened by his vices. 



