The First Commandment

The First Commandment By C. L. Olsen, M. D.

In Three Parts —Part III.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

God deemed it righteousness to establish a fundamental law — governing the propagation of species the human race, first of — all or such a law would never have been established. This law, being one of the many laws pertaining to the kingdom of God, is part of "his righteousness," which, in the quotation above, the Master himself urges us to seek. Applying this coun- sel of the Lord, and the precise promise accompanying the same to the question under consideration, we, timid mortals, have nothing to fear, provided only, we show obedience. But even toward such a promise, coming from such a reliable source, many of us feel dubious. "How can I, with my small income, dare venture even to get married, let alone assume the responsibil- ities of caring for a family of children?" asks the chicken- hearted, doubting Thomas, working hard every day, and, per- haps, earning barely enough to subsist upon. The rich or wealthy doubting Thomas ako finds a reason for hesitation. In both in- stances, however, the individual is left to the exercise of his own free agency. But the con&equences are sure to follow. If any of us, rich or poor, fail to obey the law of God as per- tains to bringing forth the spirits destined for this earth, we wittingly or unwittingly — thwart, to that extent, the purposes of the Creator. Reasoning upon the subject convinces us that there are a definite number of beings spiritually created and destined to be born as men and women, in order to advance in the scale of existence. What? A definite number of spirits? Clearly: If one-third of the heavenly host, becauce of their rebellious at- titude in that great council in heaven, were "thrust down," two- thirds of that heavenly host remained; hence, these two frac- tions must represent the sum total (whatever that may be) of the number of spirits begotten by our heavenly parents, intended to be born on earth as mortals, and as living souls, to help fill the measure of earth's creation. The very term, "measure," in- dicates definiteness. To advance in the scale of existence, and to advance in the

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT 127

scale of civilization, are two widely different propositions: The former represents a definite natural plan designed by the al- wise Creator, before the earth was made. It is absolutely neces- sary for future happiness and therefore means everything. The latter, being a more or less fickle creation of puny man, may mean much, little or nothing. Because it represents a mortal conception of things, it may or may not be necessary for human happiness. In order that man may advance, as we term it, he must first exist that is, in plain words, he must first be begotten. ;

But how begotten, if man refuses to "get," as Shakespeare puts it? A great many highly "civilized" men and women; "edu- cated" to the top notch, brimful and running over with worldly wisdom, but suffering from ingrown self-sufficiency, boldly as- sert that it is altogether commendable, nay, imperatively neces- sary, for the sake of civilization, that the community protect itself from undesirable children. The term, "undesirable," in this connection is generally understood to mean children of the so-called lower class, children born in the slums of the larger cities and children of drunkards, profligates, and criminals; many would even include children coming from the poor, the — — ignorant, and in this country from menial aliens. It goes

without saying that children of rich, influential, educated par- ents are desirable —of course! Much speculation has been indulged in as to the best course to pursue, in the interest of civilization, to "regulate" the ques- tion of propagation, which many consider as being a real prob- lem. It is a problem, too; but mainly to those who choose to ignore the law, rather than obey it. Poor, perhaps even indigent, parents, but who, though struggling hard and with limited means at their command, welcome the children born to them, and who know what hard, physical work, low wages, and high co?t of living reallv mean, are not nearly so much alarmed about this bug-a-boo of a "problem" as are those who never have felt how the shoe of poverty pinches, or who have never had a child of their own to care for. As for "regulation," that is an impossibility. Statesmen, legislators, preachers, reformers—male and female--may toil to advance unceasingly, and lie awake nights scheming how best "civilization" in this respect; but as long as personal freedom reigns in the land, all efforts in this direction are bound to tail. point at issue. Why? Because a fundamental, divine law is the inscrutable wisdom and, clearly, for the And the Creator, in his man, normally endowed, shall feel naturally definite reason that inclined to obey this fundamental law, in order that God s de- about, divinelv ordered it so, that tor signs might be brought an intense love this specific purpose, man shall be imbued with

128 IMPROVEMENT ERA

and a desire to be loved, the prurient aspersions of the carnally minded, the invidious, sexless lecturer, or the long-faced, sancti- monious hypocrite, to the contrary notwithstanding. Therefore, "love laughs at locksmiths." And after all is said and done, the cold fact remains that the great majority of mankind, instinct- ively, and true to nature's demand, go right on multiplying and replenishing, as God intended they should do. That it is possible to pervert the original plan, also in this direction, will readily be admitted. One willing to see can not be blind to the fact that there are some, both men and woman, who, judging from their conduct, seem to think that the only activity in life worth while is bringing children into the world, not to mention the well-nigh worthless human wrecks who drift along the stream of life, absolutely without a rudder, as it were, to guide them in these matters. Even among those who have been united in the bonds of matrimony are to be found men so low that, after having "fathered" children, they deliberately shun the responsibilities logically devolving upon them to care for their offspring. And it is the actions of just such reprobates that bring into disrepute the bearing of chil- dren, and above all the large family; that cause thinking men and women to pause and even to devise ways and means of pre- — vention many holding that, even in this respect, "an ounce of preventive is worth a pound of cure;" that fill the minds of thrifty economists with resentment, when called upon by law or by charity to contribute to the sustenance of innocent, helpless children, whose father perhaps spends his time in idleness, or what may be worse. Talk about "regulation!" Let laws be made, not to regulate, but to relegate such derelicts to the rock pile where, in the sweat of the brow they may be compelled to earn the means necessary for the support of their family. Noth- ing inhuman, or necessarily inhumane either, about that! Stern justice — — demands just such or some other adequate remedy, calculated to "cure" such perverts. Incidentally, some such regulation might open the eyes of the love-sick woman and em- bolden her to ask her ardent wooer, ere it is too late, whether, if she marry him, he has in mind the compulsory making of macadam as a vocation, or if he intends to take care of her as his wife, and of their children that may come to the world. But such children should be protected by the strong arm of the law, if necessary. They are not responsible for the actions, or dereliction as the case may be, of their parents. They have come to this world in a legitimate manner, so tar as they are concerned. The community can well afford to assist such un- fortunates (unfortunate in having such parentage), until they — can "help themselves" say, the first fourteen years of their

— —

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT 129

lives. For man to acquire wealth, education, and all else that makes life worth living, is not enough. Having accomplished all such achievements, we shall, when called to ''answer for our deeds done in the flesh" still hear this reprimand ringing in our ears: "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." The moral intended to be conveyed by these observations on the first commandment is, if possible, to check the growing tendency, not only in Babylon, but in Zion, also, of an attempt to improve upon the plan laid out and determined upon by the great Architect, before fallible man had a word to say in the matter. Let every human being unhindered, but rather helped, come into his own in this world. For every soul is needed, whether we realize it or not. Without our fellow-men, what would any of us amount to? There is none on this earth so rich, but who is richer with them; none, so poor but who is poorer without

them. Here an untranslatable Scandinavian aphorism fits in, exactly: "Mennesket kan undveere meget, men ikke mennesket;" literally: "Man can do without much, but not without man" meaning, that man can get along without a great many things, but he can not get along without his fellowmen.

The Success Family The father of Success is Work. The mother of Success is Ambition. The oldest son is Common Sense. Some of the other boys are Perseverance, Honesty, Thoroughness, Foresight, Enthusiasm and Co-operation. The oldest daughter is Character. Some of her sisters are Cheerfulness, Loyalty, Courtesy, Care, Economy, Sincerity, and Harmony. The baby is Opportunity. Get acquainted with the "old man" and you will be able to get along pretty well with the rest of hte family. The Photo-playwright.

AMERICAN RED CROSS AMERICAN RED CROSS The Utah Public Health Association has its annual sale of Red Cross Seals every year, at the approach to the hol- idays, for the support of its fine pro- gram of Public Health Work. This year the sale is from December 1 to 10. For 1920, the association, of which John W. Jacobs, is the Executive Secretary, is planning a program which includes the placing of Public Health Nurses in many counties. The cause is a worthy one, and should have the support of the thinking people of the state. Nearly every county of Utah has been organized for the sale.