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The Ministry of Healing
Temperance and Self-Control
The carefulness with which the mother should guard her habits
of life is taught in the Scriptures. When the Lord would raise up
Samson as a deliverer for Israel, “the angel of Jehovah” appeared to
the mother, with special instruction concerning her habits, and also
for the treatment of her child. “Beware,” he said, “and now drink no
wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing.”
Judges 13:13,
7
.
The effect of prenatal influences 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, 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. If before the birth of her child she is
self-indulgent, if she is selfish, impatient, and exacting, these traits
will be reflected in the disposition of the child. Thus many children
[373]
have received as a birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to
evil.
But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she
is temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish,
she may give her child these same precious traits of character. Very
explicit was the command prohibiting the use of wine by the mother.
Every drop of strong drink taken by her to gratify appetite endangers
the physical, mental, and moral health of her child, and is a direct
sin against her Creator.
Many advisers urge that every wish of the mother should be
gratified; that if she desires any article of food, however harmful,
she should freely indulge her appetite. Such advice is false and
mischievous. The mother’s physical needs should in no case be
neglected. Two lives are depending upon her, and her wishes should
be tenderly regarded, her needs generously supplied. But at this time
above all others she should avoid, in diet and in every other line,