of the agencies for lessening pauperism are
afraid of tracing back its growth to the frequency of births under wretched
conditions. One begins to question whether after all sweet charity or
dignified philanthropy has not acted with an unwise reticence. Among the
problems which defy practical handling this is the most complicated. The
pauperism which arises from marriage is the result of the worst elements of
character legalized. In America, where the boundaries of wedlock are
practically boundless, it is not desirable, even were it possible, that the
state should regulate marriage much further than it now does; therefore
must the sociologist turn for aid to society in his struggle with
pauperism.

2. RIGHT PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS OF BIRTH.--Society should insist
upon the right spiritual and physical conditions for birth. It should be
considered more than "a pity" when another child is born into a home too
poor to receive it. The underlying selfishness of such an event should be
recognized, for it brings motherhood under wrong conditions of health and
money. Instead of each birth being the result of mature consideration and
hallowed love, children are too often born as animals are born. To be sure
the child has a father whom he can call by name. Better that there had
never been a child.

3. WRONG RESULTS.--No one hesitates to declare that it is want of
self-respect and morality which brings wrong results outside of marriage,
but it is also the want of them which begets evil inside the marriage
relation. Though there is nothing more difficult than to find the
equilibrium between self-respect and self-sacrifice, yet on success in
finding it depends individual and national preservation. The fact of being
wife and mother or husband and father should imply dignity and joyousness,
no matter how humble the home.

4. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONGST PHYSICIANS.--In regard to teaching, the
difficulties are great. As soon as one advances beyond the simplest
subjects of hygiene, one is met with the difference of opinions among
physicians. When each one has a different way of making a mustard plaster,
no wonder that each has his own notions about everything else. One doctor
recommends frequent births, another advises against them.

5. DIFFERENT NATURES.--If physiological facts are taught to a large class,
there are sure to be some in it whose impressionable natures are excited by
too much plain {230} speaking, while there