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Exercise and Air
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mothers who do not possess true moral worth, but who have diseased
imaginations and suffer imaginary ailments, need the sympathy,
patient instruction, and tender care of all who can help them. The
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wants of these children are not met, and their education is such as
to unfit them for useful members of society while they live, and to
bring them to an untimely grave. If their lives are protracted, they
will never forget the lessons taught them by the mother. The errors
of her life have been impressed upon them by her words and her
actions, and in many cases they will follow in her footsteps. Her
mantle falls like a dark pall upon her poor children. Her inconsistent
course has given the stamp of her character to their lives, and they
cannot readily overcome the education of their childhood.
The tenderest earthly tie is that between the mother and her child.
The child is more readily impressed by the life and example of the
mother than by that of the father; for a stronger and more tender
bond of union unites them. Mothers have a heavy responsibility. If
I could impress upon them the work which they can do in molding
the minds of their children I should be happy.
If parents themselves would obtain knowledge, and feel the im-
portance of putting it to a practical use in the education of their dear
children, we should see a different order of things among youth and
children. The children need to be instructed in regard to their own
bodies. There are but few youth who have any definite knowledge
of the mysteries of human life. They know but little about the liv-
ing machinery. Says David: “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made.” Teach your children to study from cause
to effect; show them that if they violate the laws of their being they
must pay the penalty by suffering disease. If in your effort you can
see no special improvement, be not discouraged; patiently instruct,
line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.
If by this means you have succeeded in forgetting yourself, you
have taken one step in the right direction. Press on until the victory
is gained. Continue to teach your children in regard to their own
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bodies and how to take care of them. Recklessness in regard to
bodily health tends to recklessness in moral character.
Do not neglect to teach your children how to cook. In so do-
ing, you impart to them principles which they must have in their
religious education. In giving your children lessons in physiology,