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Prenatal Influence
171
for strength and grace; and she will not seek in vain.—
The Signs of
the Times, September 13, 1910
.
God’s Message to Every Mother
—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. “Be-
ware,” he said, “and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat
any unclean thing.”
Judges 13:13, 7
.
The effect of parental 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
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will be reflected in the disposition of the child. Thus many children
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.—
The Ministry of Healing, 372, 373
.
Accountable for the Welfare of Future Generations
—If
women of past generations had always moved from high considera-
tions, realizing that future generations would be ennobled or debased
by their course of action, they would have taken their stand, that
they could not unite their life interest with men who were cherish-
ing unnatural appetites for alcoholic drinks, and tobacco which is
a slow, but sure and deadly poison, weakening the nervous system,
and debasing the noble faculties of the mind. If men would remain