All of us are familiar with the old maxim, but how few of us are actually governed by it in our actions! This precept is most emphatically applicable to the important subject now under consideration, but should be made even more positive: "If a child is to be born it has a RIGHT to be BORN WELL."

God's greatest and most sublimely mysterious gift to man is the power of procreation. Very few of the teeming millions ever give this truth even a serious thought. This is in great part due to the fact that the creation of the human species is almost without exception an accident - an undesired by-product of an impassioned moment - rather than what it should really be, a planned result of a sacred marital Rite.

Up to the present, except in rare instances, Nature has had the entire responsibility placed upon her by an ignorant and selfish humanity. Now that the Laws of Heredity and Prenatal influences(1) are becoming generally known, and since the Law of Personal Responsibility for all our acts is being taught, men and women should carefully consider the results before engaging in an act which is NEVER NEUTRAL, but always is, or becomes, either a blessing or a curse upon all concerned.
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(1) See The Creation of A Perfect Baby by Prenatal Culture, Philosophical Publishing Company, Quakertown, Penna.
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The Laws of Heredity deal with the inheritance of the good or evil qualities native to the parents, and which may have been transmitted to them by their parents, grand parents, or even great-grand parents.

The Laws of Prenatal influence, on the other hand, govern the impressions made directly upon the child by the parents, especially the mother, of qualities, powers, potentialities and capabilities, as also virtues and vices not native to the parents, but which they have the power to direct to the child. It can be readily understood that generally Prenatal influences have a much wider field of influence and are of far greater importance than Heredity.

Many scientific men ridicule the possibility of investing the unborn with powers and virtues not possessed by the parents. We maintain that the mother can give birth to a superior being by surrounding herself with works of art, beautiful paintings, and objects which elevate the thoughts, and by gazing upon them often, meanwhile concentrating her desires on impressing the child in her bosom with loftiness of mind, strength and beauty of physique, and greatness of Soul.

Though scientists smile at the simplicity of minds having faith in the power for good of such impressions on the unborn, we seriously question whether they would allow us to display at the foot of the bed wherein slept their wives when enceinte, pictures depicting fearful accidents, the carnage of war, or of men with misshapen bodies or ugly countenance.

We feel certain that they would not permit this. They would admit to us that such pictures were potent to affect the mind and nerves of the mothers, and perhaps indirectly or directly the well-being of the unborn.

To this we also agree, though we question in all sincerity the reason they base their claim that pictures depicting undesirable scenes and misshapen personalities have the power to influence conscious and unconscious minds, while they deny the force of the beautiful and aesthetic to impress for good the mother-to-be and her child. The laws governing the incentives and actions of Life are dual, not single or unbalanced.

One of the most simple and authoritative accounts of prenatal influence or maternal impressions, is given in the Biblical account of Jacob and the sheep. GEN.31: 37:40

In this it is clearly indicated that even the animal nature is sufficiently impressible so that colors and types may be produced almost at will.

If the truths of these Biblical narratives are admitted, is anyone, scientist or philosopher, irrational enough to claim that the nature of woman, whose nervous system is the finest and most delicate of all creation, is less impressionable and responsive to the beautiful than the animal? Au contraire, if scientist and philosopher deny the Biblical record, then they must likewise question every other statement in the Bible.

In the present scientific age we give every consideration to animal husbandry. We carefully study their characteristics and temperament. We seek to know what they like or dislike. We give attention to the question of food, withholding from them what they do not like, and supplying them with what they prefer.

When we mate them we are most careful in the selection of the sire and we remove everything from their presence which seems to in the least irritate them. We know from experience that all these things have a powerful influence on both the mature animal and the unborn.

How has it been in the great, mysterious, sublime realm of human creation? Have we given study to the time when conception should properly take place? Have we taught humanity the right season for the propagation of the species? Have we made a study of the proper preparation for the conceiving mother? Have we taught womanhood generally when this should occur?

Have we studied the great problem of proper diet, and have we taught people generally the sane conclusions reached? Have we studied the impressions of the beautiful on woman's mental and nervous systems during the period of pregnancy? Have we watched the effects of the ugly and undesirable, and taught her what to avoid, or, that failing how to overcome these depressing influences? Have we taught the feminine world the serious consequences of reading exciting or morbid literature during the period of pregnancy?

Have we been thorough in our researches and willingly offered to all the fruits of our labors, or have we complacently allowed all the details of birth and child-bearing to take care of themselves, thus unthinkingly contributing our bit to the weakness and degradation of present and future generations? Can we expect Nature to produce a god, while supplying her with the material and opportunity unsuited even to the creation of an idiot?

Men and women have not as yet awakened to even a partial comprehension of the potentialities with which Nature has endowed them. They have not become conscious of their great responsibilities, duties and possibilities in the creative sphere. Thus far every thought has been of themselves, their own salvation; the idea never entering their minds that not alone are they held responsible by God's great Law for their own welfare, but likewise accountable for that of their children, their children's children, and even their great-grandchildren.

There are certain groups of "busy-bodies" quietly making plans to disrupt family life as we know it. For the most part this group is composed of women who have never been mothers; have not the slightest idea of what the feeling of motherhood would be; and of men who have thus far refused to accept the responsibility of fatherhood. Their idea is the formation of a department of public welfare, plus the enactment of laws governing the instruction and training of the children.

So far, well and good, but the ulterior object of this movement is to take from the bona fide mothers and fathers throughout the land, the control and training, the intellectual, and even the spiritual direction of the children.

In Sparta of old this was actually accomplished - that nation is known only in name. In foreign countries such efforts are more or less successful, if we so consider totalitarianism - man, the creature of the State.

We foresee that when this is actually attempted in America, the entire motherhood will arise in their might as one; the governing power sanctioning it will be swept aside as a straw in the wind, and the deluded men and women who select thenselves to wrest the child from its rightful mother, will thereby seal their own doom.

God's greatest blessing, as also His greatest privilege, is sacred motherhood. It is our duty to study the problem and teach mothers and mothers-to-be. No unmarried man or woman, shirking the responsibility of parenthood, has any moral or spiritual right to disrupt the harmony, desires or activity of a family.

The problem of Heredity must have our careful consideration. We must instruct both men and women in its influence on the unborn. This we can best do by concrete examples.

In 1909 the Physio-Medical Society of the State of Indiana held its convention at Indianapolis. During one of the sessions a carefully prepared paper dealing with the problem of Heredity was read by one of the members of the Society.

It appears there lived in the western part of Pennsylvania, a family then little known, but later to become extremely notorious. To this family was born a girl, more or less mentally weak(2) and as usual at the time, even as at the present, with the exception of feeding and clothing her, she had little attention, no instruction or training, and no one to guard her against evil.
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(2) Today, with our knowledge of the functioning of the ductless glands and of Endocrinology in the treatment of diseases, especially mental weaknesses in children, almost all of such ailments in children respond to treatment, with the result that mental health is completely restored.
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This girl, ignorant, unprepared, and unprotected, was betrayed by a male brute with the usual result: a female child was born to her.

The parents, instead of doing their duty and exercising every effort in their power that neither she nor her child should become the victims of other such renegades, cast both of them on the public welfare. Neither society nor State had the slightest inclination to look after the outcasts, with the result that they were the beginning of a long line of degenerate men and women. The record, as given, was this:

"Sixty members of the descendants had court records, fifteen had been in jail, fourteen in the penitentiary, nine in the infirmary, nine in children's homes, six in the workhouse, two in the Girls' Industrial Home, two in the Institution for Feeble-minded, and one in the Boys' Industrial Home.

"Seventy-seven were immoral, seventy-four criminal in varying degrees, fifty-five feeble-minded, twenty-three alcoholics, twelve public women, seven tubercular, six children adopted into homes, four epileptics, three insane, and three wanderers who labored not.

"Among the crimes of which some of these were guilty, we find catalogued: burglary, forgery, destruction of property, owners or inmates of immoral houses, intoxication, rioting, perjury, various degenerating practices, homicide, and poisoning with intent to kill.

"The mentality of the adult degenerate members of the family was that of children between seven and twelve years."

Who really was the guilty party? Where does the actual blame belong? Was the poor victim, through whose ignorance this long line of degenerates had its beginning, alone to bear the penalty?

We maintain she was the least to blame. Conceived in ignorance, poorly born, receiving neither instructions nor training, such as should have been hers by right of having been born, she followed Nature's inclination in doing what she did.

Her spiritual nature was completely submerged and unawakened, hence totally failing her in all her needs. Will God hold her responsible, society as a whole having failed her?

Such a picture of the shortcomings of the individual and society, plus the results following, is certainly not a pleasant one. It illustrates many other experiences of like nature. We exempt this woman from blame because of her ignorance and weakness, but we cannot hold the modern woman blameless because she has every opportunity to gain full knowledge of the laws governing the creative function and the rightful, constructive use of this great gift and capacity with which the Creator has endowed her.

It is easily possible for any woman of ordinary intelligence to become the mother of a race of mental, physical, spiritual giants, of mental and spiritual masters.

By instructing her in all the duties she owes to herself as a woman and to the race having its beginning with her. She can be taught to think constructively and gloriously; to study helpful instructive books; to select the foods for their body-building and health-giving value. She can be carefully taught exercises that will develop the mind, the Will and her entire physical being. She can acquaint herself with the Laws which will enable her to "build" an outstanding new temple for the reception of a Soul, directly from "heaven"

Such a woman will love both well and wisely. She will marry. She will see to it that the creative forces are not dissipated or, in Biblical terms, "cast upon the ground" to damn her and her progeny, and she will, in due and proper time, conceive. She will study the books she is assured will have an elevating and constructive influence on the mind of both herself and the child later to be born, be it boy or girl.

She will not permit obscene or suggestive pictures in the house, nor attend plays or movies which are suggestive, degrading or debasing. She will associate only with cultured people who use chaste language. She will be careful when bathing; taking cold baths for stimulation; worm baths for cleanliness and relaxation.

She will follow a system of physical exercise and breathing drills; keep fully and interestingly occupied, and avoid everything that might possibly be nerve-shocking or that would tend to induce hysteria.

Above all, she is careful in the selection of her diet, avoiding all articles of food that could possibly congest the system or interfere with good circulation and a clear brain.

She refuses marital relationship with her husband unless first brought to a keen desire by his caresses; she is sufficiently unshackled mentally, and woman enough to indicate her real feelings when her wedded partner fails to notice them.

Let a woman thus trained, and living such a life, conceive, impress, and give birth to a child, and it will mark the beginning of a REgenerate Race.

Let us suppose this child to be a girl. The mother instructs her in the truth as she was taught; trains her under all the laws governing the development of her true womanhood. This child, on reaching adolescence, then motherhood, in her turn teaches and develops her children in like manner. Can we even begin to estimate what this will mean to the nation within a few generations? We can, however, form some conception of the influence such superior man and women would have on the affairs of nations, their morals being incorruptible.

It cannot be successfully argued that this is purely a dream of an ideal state, impractical in every day life. Men and women can obtain good literature as readily as destructive, vulgar, and obscene publications. They need have no greater difficulty in securing beautiful pictures than those depicting destruction or vulgarity. They can keep mind and body occupied instead of catering to their "nerves"; can walk and exercise in place of lounging about the house or club; and have the choice of attending good plays and operas instead of choosing questionable shows. What is even more important, they can obtain good, nutritious, nerve and brain building foods as cheaply as rich meats, sweets, cookies, candies, spiced articles and useless desserts having no actual value to the body, but clogging the entire eliminative system, producing weakness and low mental states.

A sane, sensible, purposeful life is no more difficult to live than is a destructive, aimless existence. It is merely a question of choice. Just as many are perfectly satisfied to live in an old, leaky, ramshackle hovel, though having the opportunity to move into a modern, sanitary, well-appointed dwelling, so the majority prefer the odd, irresponsible, destructive, negative life. The creative life requires no self-denial, merely the desire and determination to do the right thing in the right way, in the right place and at the right time. It forbids no innocent pleasure, no harmless recreation, no good food, nor any enjoyment that contributes to well-being and peace of mind.

Man boasts of being the "lord of creation," but consider his consistency for a moment.

The farmer who masters his vocation studies the requirements of his soil; builds it up where it is deficient; plows and carefully prepares his fields. When the time arrives, he patronizes a dealer in whom he has full confidence and selects only the choicest of seeds; those having been tested for germination. He gives strict attention to the proper time for the sowing, choosing days he believes best for the purpose, always having in mind the germination of the seeds.

After the seed has been planted, he gives all the care and cultivation necessary to assure a crop equaling his expectation, and if possible, to improve over the seed sown. And for what? That he may be supplied with food for the winter, or for conversion into money to obtain the pleasures or the necessities of life.

Now give a thought to the propagators of the greatest of all "crops" - the human family. How many make a sincere effort to become fully conversant with the laws governing the functions of creation; how and when the "sowing" should take place; the preparation essential for success? How many give thought that the "seed" is not only fertile, but virile, so that the "stock" be sound and healthy; the "ground" be properly prepared by genuine affection and all that is part of it? How many are vigilant during the period when the "seed" is taking the shape of a new being?

The number, unfortunately for the race, is all too few. To the vast majority procreation is merely an incident. All too frequently it is an accident, and when it does "happen," the parents let Nature look after her own labors.

Moreover, in all too many instances, at least the "he" of the twain would rather that the seed did not find fertile ground and germinate; moreover, he does all in his power, and not always in any natural way, to prevent it.

If despite all efforts, conception does take place under such conditions and circumstances, the child so unholy conceived is born with an inheritance of weakness, possibly with criminal tendencies; frequently ill, a source of sorrow instead of happiness. Then the un-comprehending parents unbless God for visiting such misfortune upon them, wholly ignorant and unconscious of their own criminality.

If we desire strong, healthy, superior babies, we must go back a step beyond consideration of the Laws of Heredity and Pre-natal influences. We must begin with the children already born, carefully instruction them in all the Laws of Procreation, preparing them for the great work before them, and thoroughly training them to eradicated all that is weak and undesirable - all this before they have even reached the age of responsibility.

We must carefully and thoroughly instruct them in all the laws pertaining to environments, imitation, personal and prenatal influences, and Heredity, that they may employ all of this knowledge when they become co-creators with God. We must impress upon them the necessity of thorough preparation; that this is half the battle; that while Heredity is the foundation, Pre-natal influence and impressions are the building; one is quite as important as the other.

Is this labor worth the effort? While we are in youth and the world looks bright and rosy, we have no little loved ones of our own whose suffering we must witness. As we advance in years, many little feet cross our path, some of them our own, and as we see their suffering and are helpless to relieve it, we begin to appreciate the vast importance of doing our best to either prevent, or at least to partially minimize this misery and sorrow, rather than merely seeking a remedy for temporary relief.

The fearful price paid for the heedless and senseless fashion in which our children are conceived, born and reared, is readily understood when we bear in mind that, for instance, in the United States, a nation highly favored in all things, there are now several millions of weaklings and degenerates filling prisons and other institutions. This vast multitude does not include the countless army suffering from advanced stages of syphilis and other immoral diseases resulting from depraved practices by the debased and degenerate.

In no department of creation or reproduction is man so grossly ignorant or neglectful as in that of the conception, the birth and the development of his children, despite the fact that no where else is to be found the source of so much real joy and happiness. Moreover, man willfully and skillfully avoids the subject as though it were of the least concern to him. The awful penalty mankind has paid because of ignorance and indifference lo, these many centuries, has failed to awaken him to both his possibilities and his responsibilities.

How strangely true it is that there are "none so blind as those who will not see."
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