PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT 123 



of the child unless he is born an idiot; we can 

 not make him an angel. But somewhere between 

 these limits he will be what we put into him 

 mentally and morally. His boundaries are set 

 by human nature; but inside this limitation we 

 may put in the moral qualities that we choose, 

 provided we will work according to the law of 

 his being. The strength of the animal impulse 

 will give the conditions of the moral contest which 

 will ensue ; but for the spiritual side of that con- 

 flict we may equip him. If this be the true view 

 of human nature, then the parental function is as 

 essential morally as it is physically. Physically 

 the parents give to him being; morally they may 

 also give him well-being. He will perish physic- 

 ally if they do not supply him material food; he 

 will just as surely perish spiritually if they do not 

 supply him with spirit-food. As both parents are 

 essential to his physical existence, so both parents 

 have an essential part in his spiritual building. 

 The function of the mother in rearing the child 

 is generally conceded; but the elements that a 

 father contributes are not so usually observed. A 

 boy is wonderfully handicapped who loses either 

 early in life. The kindlier qualities, the elements 

 noted in good manners are apt to be unacquired 

 unless a mother-love shall instill them. On the 

 other hand, the deeper elements of honor and 

 moral endurance are not acquired so easily with- 

 out the father. A shell of respectability will be 

 built up in a boy who grows up with women ; but 



