144 MORAL CONDITION OF THE CHILD 



by some subjugation of the tastes and feelings, 

 some tumultuous momentary onslaught, which 

 may, indeed, secure a momentary victory; but 

 even then through shame and contrition the usual 

 and normal moral status may be re-established. 

 Character has an inertia such that it does not 

 radically and permanently change in a moment. 

 This law is an impediment to sudden reforma- 

 tion; but it is also the bulwark of the virtuous 

 against deformation. 



That strange and unscientific factor called 

 freedom of choice has not been nullified, and we 

 therefore are unable to predict invariably what 

 a soul will do. Some allowances have always to 

 be made for this unpredictable element. Never- 

 theless there are laws of spirit-formation which 

 we may investigate and whose working we may 

 observe; on the outcome of these we may rely in 

 the general results of life. The parent who has 

 wisely obeyed these laws may confidently depend 

 upon expected results, and in case of any tem- 

 porary disappointment may with good conscience 

 ask the special assistance of society and the Holy 

 Spirit of God to confer unusual grace for what 

 seems an unusual and humanly unavoidable re- 

 sult. 



