Chapter 43—Prenatal Influences
Women Should Be Qualified to Become Mothers—Women
have need of great patience before they are qualified to become moth-
ers. God has ordained that they shall be fitted for this work. The work
of the mother becomes infinite through her connection with Christ. It
is beyond understanding. Woman’s office is sacred. The presence of
Jesus is needed in the home; for the mother’s ministries of love may
shape the home into a Bethel. The husband and the wife are to co-
operate. What a world we would have if all mothers would consecrate
themselves on the altar of God, and would consecrate their offspring
to God, both before and after its birth
Importance of Prenatal Influences—The effect of prenatal influ-
ences is by many parents looked upon as a matter of little moment; but
heaven does not so regard it. The message sent by an angel of God,
and twice given in the most solemn manner, shows it to be deserving
of our most careful thought.
In the words spoken to the Hebrew mother [the wife of Manoah],
God speaks to all mothers in every age. “Let her beware,” the angel
said; “all that I commanded her let her observe.” The well-being of
the child will be affected by the habits of the mother. Her appetites
and passions are to be controlled by principle. There is something for
her to shun, something for her to work against, if she fulfills God’s
purpose for her in giving her a child
The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are
attracted by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern
the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them
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the way of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion,
their energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and
for the world to come. Parents should remember that their children
must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child,
1
Manuscript 43, 1900
.
2
The Ministry of Healing, 372
.
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