28
A Solemn Appeal
The father in many cases exercises more reason respecting, and
manifests more care for, his cattle when with young, than he manifests
for his wife, when in a similar condition. The mother, in many cases
previous to the birth of her children, is permitted to toil early and late,
heating her blood, while preparing various unhealthful dishes of food
to suit the perverted taste of the family, and of visitors. Her strength
should be tenderly cherished. A preparation of healthful food would
require but about one-half of the expense and labor, and would be far
more nourishing.
The mother, before the birth of her children, is often permitted to
labor beyond her strength. Her burdens and cares are seldom lessened,
and that period, which should be to her of all others, a time of rest, is
one of fatigue, sadness, and gloom. By too great exertion on her part,
she deprives her offspring of that nutrition which nature has provided
for it, and by heating her blood, she imparts to it a bad quality of
nourishment. The offspring is robbed of its vitality, robbed of physical
and mental strength. The father should study how to make the mother
[116]
happy. He should not allow himself to come to his home with a clouded
brow. It he is perplexed in business, he should not, unless it is actually
necessary to counsel with his wife, trouble her with such matters. She
has cares and trials of her own to bear, and she should be tenderly
spared every needless burden.
The mother too often meets with cold reserve from the father. If
everything does not move off just as pleasantly as he could wish, he
blames the wife and mother, and seems indifferent to her cares and
daily trials. Men who do this are working directly against their own
interest and happiness. The mother becomes discouraged. Hope and
cheerfulness depart from her. She goes about her work mechanically,
knowing that it must be done, which soon debilitates physical and
mental health. Children are born to them, suffering from various
diseases, and God holds the parents accountable in a great degree; for
it was their wrong habits which fastened disease upon their unborn
children, under which they are compelled to suffer all through their
lives. Some live but a short period with their load of debility. The
mother anxiously watches over the life of her child, and is weighed
down with sorrow as she is compelled to close its eyes in death, and
she often regards God as the author of all this affliction, when the
[117]
parents in reality were the murderers of their own child.