The Iola register., 1901-02-08

day, 3 p. M, Feb. Sth, at the M. f..
church.
TO WHAT EXTENT AND WHEN DOES
THE MOTHER BEGIN TO INFLUENCE
THE DISPOSITION AND CHAR
ACTER OF THE CHILD.
The following formed the nucleus
for the discussion at our last
meeting:
This subject is one of such ma gni-
tude that we are almost appalled, when
we pause to consider how much it
involves. How much responsibility
it places upon the being who stands in
such close relation to the lives of this
great, throbbing, palpitating sea of
humanity about her, and as the light
of a new century beams upon us, we
are to inquire to what extent is it true
that "The hand that rocks the Grad lie
is the hand that rules the world?"
To what extent are mothers respon-
sible for the forces of good and evil
which are influencing this mighty
human race?
To what extent is the mother respon-
sible for the good and evil ten
denotes in the individual lives which
she has brought into being, knowing
as we do, and which science has
demonstrated, that from both are
transmitted those peculiar character
istics which stamp the lineaments of
the parents upon the child?
1t is we'll known that the ancestors
of George Washington were people of
great intelligence, worth and purity
of mind. His mother was especially
noted for her piety, while his father
was man of sterling integrity, as
has been said, lone of natures noble
men" The father and mother of Lord
Francis Bacon were both distinguished
for their intellectual powers and liter
airy capabilities.
Lord Byron, whose poetic genius we
have admired, yet whose sensuality
we have despised, inherited his turbu-
lent mind from his mother who was a
woman of violent temper, while his
father was sensualist of the worst
type
From all of these examples we can
clearly see that the child inherits his
peculiar traits of character from both
parents. Then why is it claimed that
the mothers influence predominates
and at what period in life is this in
fuence first felt?
Some claim that her influence is
greater because of the closer com.
panionship existing between mother
and child and of her disposition to
more readily sympathize with and un-
derstand its nature. We can but ad-
nit this is true; but science is con-
stantly revealing TO us gems of truth
concerning that sacred period of de-
velopment so little understood by our
worthy ancestors.
So closely is the little life related to
that of the mother that tits no wonder
the same sensations, the same emo
tions which thrill her soul will also
impress the child. Her disposition,
in fact that upon which her mind
dwells most, will also be impaired to
this developing mind. Is she living
in daily communion with her God,
rightly comprehending her response
bility, directing her thoughts to the
beautiful, the pure. the wise, the good,
her reward will be a child whose
strongest propensities will be for those
qualities of character which she,
in the fear of God, strove so hard
to impress.
We believe it is possible for the
mother to so impress this developing
mind as to eliminate or at least weak
en- the evil propensities, which might
have been inherited from the father,
until the better inclinations will dom
mate in the child's nature.
Whenever | think of our sainted
leader Frances w Hard, | pause to
pay my reverence to the mother who
made it possible for the world to know
such queen among women. To the
mother who bequeathed to us such an
unexampled type of perfect woman
hood, and who stamped upon the em-
bryo life the impress of the great work
which she was to accomplish for man
kind. What lessons there are for
us in this queenly mothers life!
Oh, that such as she were the type
of the mothers of today! Contrary to
this science is constantly revealing
startling truths in reference to the evil