Heart and Soul | Page 4

summary--the control of desires from without, enforced by rewards
and punishments.
In the life of the average individual, this influence has become weaker
all along the line. It is probably less dominating and decisive to-day,
than it has ever been before in any period of civilization, ancient or
modern. And the weakening of the influence begins in the earliest
childhood, with the punishments of nurse and parents and extends right
on to the end, through neighbors and public opinion, the police and the
laws, and finally to the church and religion, with their everlasting
retribution, heaven and hell.
There has been no great apparent change in the other considerations of
our summary. People are still influenced by experience and reason, as
heretofore. They still are moved by their affections; and there are the
same class of people who will fight for their country and make
sacrifices for an ideal.
It may be that the change of character which results from the
weakening influences under our second heading, has an appreciable

effect on the force of other influences, also. But that is a delicate and
subtle subject, which will be discussed later on.
For the time being, we may stop at this point: that the startling changes
which have occurred recently in moral standards and point-of-view are
directly traceable to a corresponding weakening of an influence that has
been one of the strongest in human lives.
The nature and extent of this process are worth considering in detail,
because it is at the very root of the problem and the consequences are
far-reaching.
And before we begin to analyze it, let us be careful to avoid a hasty and
easy conclusion. Because the changes in people's views and behavior
seem startling and alarming to those of the old school--that does not
necessarily mean that the new tendency is bad and wrong. Any change
in fundamentals is apt to be upsetting, for the time being. The new way,
in the end, may really be better than the old, and represent progress. Or
it may mean deterioration and decline. It will be time enough to discuss
that phase of the question, after we have made sure that we thoroughly
understand what it is, that has been going on.
Let us take one thing at a time and start with the simplest and most
obvious.
A human life begins, with possibilities of development in all sorts of
different directions. The child is taken care of from the cradle--guided,
educated. In due time, it reaches an age where it is left to decide for
itself and its actions are determined by its nature and what it has been
taught.
"As the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." This is an old adage of the
English language and the principle it expresses has been generally
accepted throughout the world. "Spare the rod and spoil the child"--is
another old adage which has been almost as universally accepted. Still
another adage, expresses a fundamental principle: "Children should be
seen, not heard."

These adages are sufficient to indicate the basic theory that governed
the bringing up of children for countless generations. What do they
imply?
Obedience, discipline, respect--respect for parents, respect for others,
respect for traditions and laws--and with it a reverence and fear of God.
The aim was to turn out law-abiding, God-fearing citizens; and the
method, as expressed in the adages, was unquestioned for centuries and
generally adhered to.
It has always been usual and natural among various peoples at various
times, to inculcate in children from an early age those qualities which
are considered worthy and admirable.
Among the American Indians, a true brave was he who presented an
unflinching countenance to the enemy, even in torture. Consequently,
boy children were pricked and burned by their parents, until they were
schooled to accept any kind of pain without a whimper.
In China, tiny feet were considered desirable in a woman--so girl
children's feet were tightly bound and kept so, for long periods, with
great suffering, in order to attain the worthy object.
In these and similar cases in European civilization, the stern methods
employed cannot be taken to mean that parents loved their children any
the less--rather the contrary. Because they loved them, they did not
hesitate to do what was necessary, according to their lights, to make
them grow up as fine specimens as possible.
That was the old school. What, now, of the new?
It is obvious that, in recent years, there has been a vast change in the
attitude of parents toward children, and perhaps an even greater change
in the attitude of children toward parents.
The rod is used very sparingly, nowadays. In America, at least, it may
be said to be no longer used at all. Among families of education and
refinement, a