The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-06-08
BY Anne Austin

written sfor NEA Service)
Today, rather puzzled as to what
to say in this article on Elizabeth S
moral and spiritual development.
asked her, What is your moral
code?"
"Well, there's not much of a code
to it. l just try to live so that l can
keep my self-respect, can look my
self in the eye without blushing.
search deep down inside of me when
1 am puzzled over a decision as to
conduct, and find out what seems to
me to be right. Then, of course, l al
ways think about whether anything
1 do would hurt you, or anyone else,
but you most of ALL"
No Choice as Child
1 don't think that is a poor code
for child of IL to have worked out
for herself When 1 was a child
Twas ruled with an iron hand The
religion of my family was forced
upon me. My family's moral code
was pounded into me-, felt that
had no choice in anything.
AS I have said several times be-
fore in this series, 1 recognized Eliza
beth's right to be a person, and all
my rules and prohibitions have dealt
almost solely with her health and
with ordinary daily living-the joint
making of a home. I have conscien-
tiously kept my hands off her mind
and her soul, believing that they had
a right to develop without niterfer-
ence.
She is unselfish, generous to a
fault, considerate of the feelings of
others, intensely affectionate and yet
most Of her joy comes from self
communion. She enjoys solitude
more than any person I know Out
of her communion with her own
mind and soul, into which I do not
pry, come beautiful condolences, an
occasional poem that startles me
with it's penetrating philosophy and
understanding of heights which 1
have not reached, and short stories
and little bits of essays that give me
breath-taking1 glimpses of the free
dom and splendor of her uninhibited
soul.
Studying Religions
AS for religion, in the common
meaning Of the word she has none
She has, for two or three years, beer
quietly making a study of compare
tive religions, and at the momen
she leans strongly toward Buddhism
She believes in a supreme being, or.
as she calls it, a "cosmic force, .
which is variously worshipped and
surrounded with pleasing myths by
every race on the globe. What she
ultimately comes to believe will h"-
long strictly to her, because she will
have found it for herself.
When she was 3 years old she be-
gan to attend Sunday School, and
has continued to do so whenever she
pleased She has read the entire
Bible, not because anyone asked her
to, but because she wanted to. She
does not believe it is the word of
God, but she is deeply interested in
the religious lore of every country.
Let who will criticise her or be
shocked.
l contend that it Is Elizabeth s
soul and that she has a right to dis
cover the truth for herself. I do not
claim to know all the truth myself.
Why should I force her to accept
orthodox Christianity or any ether
belief? She is good, she is very con-
scious Of the God force within her,
and she is seeking truth. I am con-
tent.
Trained to Tact
AS for her relationship to society,
I have tried to train her to be tact
full considerate and a constructive
influence, to respect laws, to allow
others the same freedom of opinion
which she herself enjoys. I have also
taught manners from infancy, as
matter of course. I have tried to
set her a fairly decent example, in
my contacts with people,
AS for the rest-her inner moral
and spiritual development-she has
had complete charge Of that. AS =
result she is a characterize individ>
ual, as distinctly separate from me
as If I were not her mother. The
relationship of which I am really
proud is that she is my best friend.