The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-10-15
STUDY FOR MOTHERS
MRS. THEODORE BlRNEYss TALK ON
THE REARING OF CHILDREN.

MRS. THEODORE BiRNEYsS TALK ON
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How Environment Forms Character.
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Mrs. Theodore Birney, president of the
National Congress of Mothers. made O talk
before the Woman's club of Atlanta re-
GENTLY She explained the necessary
strength that would be derived among
mothers by their meeting to discuss their
mutual interests, and by their study OF
child life. The fact that the mother love
and mother instinct is by no means all
that is necessary In the development of
child life was clearly brought out, as well
as the fact that no two children are alike,
and consequently are not susceptible to
the same methods Of development. In the
matter Of hereditary effects Mrs. Birney
referred to the arguments brought out by
all students of child life that no matter
what might be the evil effects of heredity
they might be partially if not altogether
eradicated by placing the child within the
right environment and under the direo-
ton of a person who, understanding child
life, would accomplish in the .srbJeet de-
velopment in the proper lines. Proofs were
given of this in the success OF the Chill
dren's Mutual Aid Society OF New York,
where children were brought. most evil
lent subjects Of hereditary OWLS, but I'M
der proper environments and training be-
came good men and women. The elements
of their highest nature were SO developed
as to overcome the weaknesses for which
they WERE not accountable, n as moral
beings they could stand the test with those
in whom too much reliance had been
placed upon Inherent goodness, and who
might not be protected against environ
nlent or who suffered the lack OF 1nteii1-
gent training.
In the oft repeated statement that the
mothers of the past could not be improved
upon Mrs. BirEey heartily acqulesced, but
reasoned as there was progress ID all
modes and methods tenalng 70 the peUter-
ment OF humankind there was 30 reason
why progress should not be made In the
methods of that greatest OF all works, the
proper Development OF children.
People prepare themselves for all the
vacations OF life, she SAID, and why
should not theW women who ara mothers
make every effort to acquire that knowl-
edge that is necessary In performing the
sacred duties OF motherhood that devoive
upon them IN the proper raining OF the
child? A mother may love her enid Win
the purest Intensity Of her nature yet
be absolutely ignorant OF thas knowledge
necessary TO rear properly the child.
The child study upon which the Ma
tional Congress OF Mothers base their prin-
ciples OF organization Is really that en-
bodied in the Froebel philosophy OF child
life and Is that which IS becoming every
day the clearly recognized basis OF modern
education. 1t is the study that brings IN
close relation the mother n the chlld's
teacher with the INDIVIDUALITY OF the
child, and Mrs. Birney expressed IL as her
opinion that no young Woinans edtcatlon
was complete unless IN the course OF It's
finish sbo were properly instructed IN
child study m thus prepared Tor the moro
serious duties OF a wonlan,s life,
In illustrating practicaliy what knowi-
edge OF cnlid study meant, mrs. Elrney
cited the incident OF a very busy man
homeward bound ON his wheel coming IN
collision With another u ialling heavily
to the ground. He sustained severe IN
juries and was compelled TO remain az
home for some time in a reclining position.
A lady friend or progressive ideas was
calling upon him, and In discussing the
accident he said: 1T would not have been
SO bad If it all hadn't come upon me so