The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-21
The Blessing of Babies.

Il is a strange mania some OF US have
for reducing everything to figures and
then trying to prove some postulate with
the figures The latest example is the
California State board of health, which
has been at some pains 10 discover
what it costs to raise babies, and what
they are worth when they are reared.
They have fOund-heaven alone knows
by what proeess-that the average ex-
pense of a child from birth TO its TWEEN
tieth year is s4.l5O, while at its twentieth
year the average commercial value Of
that child is only $4,000. a clear loss.
economically considered. of $50.
A common figure Of speech is TO talk
about "cold" figures, and surely figures
were never put TO a colder use than in
Acquiring out the profit and loss on babies.
Cold-blooded science argues. We sup
pose. that everything that is can be re-
duced to a mathematical proposition;
but with all our respect for science, We
know in our hearts that there is much
that is great and beautiful in life that
is beyond its ken. What figures about
the cost of babies can you use to total
up the benign and holy influence they
exercise upon the souls OF men and
women? How shall We put down in the
cost column the first locks OF golden
hair that the young mother clips from
the baby's head and treasures with that
fond alteration which is part of the di-
vinity within her, and which. radiating
from her, makes her and those who
come In contact with her better and
stronger and nobler?
All! It was no idle speech that He
uttered, rebuking His disciples. when
He said: Suffer the little children to
come unto Me, and forbid them not, for
of such is the kingdom Of God" Math-
emadcs tells US that babies cost more
than they are worth; but what can
mathematics tell US of their worth? How
shall mere figures appraise the tug Of
tiny fingers at tired mothers apron
strings? What value shall we place upon
the little hands that tear at daddy's
hair? How shall We estimate the soft
ening influence of the baby's tears that
in all love and gentleness we brush
away, finding our peace and comfort in
the baby's happy smile? Can the price OF
heavenly smiles from baby eyes be set
down in fgures-the proud delight in the
first toddling steps that make their way
across the floor? What is there in life
more of value than the JOY of watching
the budding life. the growing intelli-
gence. the mysterious processes of life
life for which, through Gods mercy,
father and mother are responsible, and
in which their own youth and babyhood
and nearness TO heaven are renewed.
Yes. they cost! But how many Of the
rich would not divide their fortunes to
hear the sound of a baby's laughter
within the house! You may, perhaps,
measure the cost Of the food they eat,
the clothes they wear, their doctors bills,
their education; and when you have
added it all up. try. if you can, to meas
ure what it means against the awful
possibility of losing the baby and hav-
ing the expense cease. No; the cost can
not be estimated-nor the joy. Only in our
hearts can we know-without any figures
at all-that without blessing of babies
this would be sad old world, without
JOY or hope.