Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-08
EFFECT OF HEREDITY.
Its Mental, Moral and Physical In
fuence on All Mankind.
THE VIEWS OF REV. ]. NJ. MERCER.
Means by Which Humanity May Rise to a
Higher Standard.
SINS OF FATHERS VISITED ON SONS

SINS OF FATHERS VISITED ON SONS
At the meeting of the Pittsburg Presby
terry at Williamsburg this week the retiring
Moderator, Rev. j. NJ Mercer, delivered ar
interesting sermon on "Heredity." 1t i:
given below in full:
Visiting the iniquities of fathers upon the
children unto the third and fourth genera
tion of them that hate Me, and showing
mercy unto the Jhousandth generation of
them that love Me and keep My command
ments.-Ex.
According to an eminent New York
divine, the age is drifting towards fatalism.
According to his way of thinking, fatalism
and heredity are almost synonyms. But
surely man does not tie his hands by discov-
ering and facing facts. The doctrine of
heredity is based on facts, with which every
one should be acquainted, because they are
facts. 1t is not the purpose of the present
discussion of this subject to show that nat
ural law is supreme; for it is not. 'Re-
sponsibility" and "will'' are not to be elm
mated. Heredity, properly understood, has
plea" so often made Of late.
There is a difference, as the New York
brother contends, between the falling Of an
apple and the crime of man; between the
blossoming of plant and the affection of
the heart. Heredity does not teach that
the philanthropist is good simply because
his grandmother was fond of children, or
that man becomes thief simply because
his great-grandfather was avaricious. In this
study of the subject of heredity, let US
simply seek facts. 1t is best to know the
truth. There is too much drawing the
bow at venture. when the arrow could be
sent straight to the mark Let the battle
of life be fought intelligently, and because
intelligently, hopefully.
1t Cannot Be Destroyed.
Heredity cannot be destroyed, for as
law it is immutable; but by taking advan-
tage of this Interchangeable law man can rise
to higher level, physically, intellectually,
morally and spiritually.
''Visiting the iniquities of fathers upon
the children unto the third and fourth gen.
eratiop." This portion of scripture means
more than that some children are "born
under a cloud" and hence commence life
under very serious disadvantages socially
and morally This is true. but it is not the
particular truth of the text. 1t means more
than that the children of wicked parents,
because following their example, are thus
led into sin. An unfavorable 'environ-
ment" is bad, but it is not primarily re-
ferred to in this scripture.
1t means more also than all that is involved
in the doctrine of ''Original SIM" This
portion of Gods word teaches that some
children start life not only inclined toward
1,,& L.. J. H.
particular sins of their parents. As another
has said: 'There are no abrupt beginnings,
no to-day that is not based on yesterday.
The distant stars were shining long before
their light reached the earth" There is
mighty law of continuity. ''Llke produces
like"
Physical and Mental Heredity.
Nothing is more common than the belief
sphere Physical heredity is a powerful
factor in life insurance business The skill
full physician recognizes it every day. We
speak of the family resemblance. Whole
families die young, or live to ripe old age;
are corpulent or spare, turn gray, young,
etc.
Facts indicate the presence of the same
law in the mental sphere. There probably |
never lived any distinguished person whose |
parents were both fools. Neither one of |
hem may have been known as more than |
ordinary in their mental capacity, but one |
Of them at least, was a diamond in the |
rough. Many mother, apparently of very
ordinary mental capacity, under more |
star of the first magnitude; they shine |
nevertheless in their remarkable children. |
We would say of Gladstone or Garfield,
not knowing the facts in the case, 'they |
we're well born" "Blood tells
Peculiar mental traits can be inherited |
was rich. Isaac was very pros
porous in financial matters-so much so
hat his neighbors invited him to move on.
Jacobs superior financial ability over
Laban his father-in-law is quite evident.
1t lead to trouble between them. Joseph |
performed one of the greatest feats, finan-
tally speaking, the world has any knowl-
.dge of during. the years of plenty and
famine. He gathers the great storehouses |
'ull of corn, and deals it out to great adyan-
age during the famine which followed.
Some of the very greatest inanciers of the |
world to-day, are the descendants of these
nen.
Heredity in the Spiritual World
We find this same principle in the
moral and spiritual" world. Men most
ovely disposition can be inherited. A ten
lency to be untruthful is evidently born
With some children. 1t is in their very
blood. A violent temper can be inherited,
is also desire for strong drink. DR.. Deems
,ives case of Christian young man who
lad struggle with the demon strong drink
,very time he passed a saloon. He had
lever tasted strong drink himself Neither
lis father nor grandfather bad been addicted
o the use of strong drink, but his great
grandfather had been habitual drunkard.
Visiting the iniquities of fathers upon
heir children unto the third and fourth
of them that hate me-
The fifth generation back will show 16
ncestral forces entering in greater or less
egree into the individual life. 1t is quite
'ossible for any one of the 16 to exert a
'aneful influence on the individual ''Being
cad, he may vet speak" One or two gen.
rations may be skipped, and vet taint of
insanity, or a desire for strong drink or
endency to doubt and disbelieve may re-
ppear. 'No man liveth to himself" The
ubject of heredity is worthy our most seri-
us consideration, our best thought. The
Importance of this subject cannot easily be
verestimated. 1t is gradually coming to
be front.
The Influence of Education.
Education primarily is to draw forth. A
erson may hear a recitation and not be
scholar. To be true edu-
ator is to successfully draw forth the
overs of the mind. What mind? The
hind of the particular scholar or pupil
nat is to be educated. How can this be
one until the teacher has gotten sac
with the particular child that is
D be educated? The carpenter must know
ne kind of wood he is working with, and