HAPTER II

FAITH

The relation of environment to man's efficiency is a vital
consideration: how far it is responsible for his character, his views,
and his health; what special elements in the environment are most
potent and what are the most readily controlled, provided sufficient
knowledge can be gained of the forces and conditions to be used.

To this end home life--in its relations to the child, the adult, and
the community--is considered in connection with the effect on the home
of the influences outside it, and the reaction of each on the other.
These relations and influences are partly physical and material,
partly ethical and psychical.

The right of the child is protection, and it is the responsibility of
the adult--parent, teacher, or state officer--to secure this
protection.

The knowledge that investigators are gaining in the laboratory and are
trying to give to the community must be accepted and applied by the
individual. How is the individual, discouraged by sickness and
hardship, to know that things are awry or that they can be set more
nearly straight? How can he know that he is responsible for his
limitations? Why should he suppose that he need not be eternally a
slave to environment? How can he realize that "health promotes
efficiency by producing more energy and leaving it all free for useful
purposes?" A few enlightened souls recognize the tendency of
environment to kick the man that is down; to be subservient to the man
of bodily and mental vigor, of keen understanding and human insight,
but the majority must be led to believe these scientific principles.

Again and again scientists and humanitarians must return to the
attack, for individual carelessness becomes community menace, and
"line upon line and precept upon precept" they must present their
knowledge in language that shall attract and hold the attention and
fancy. So the work and discoveries of Metchnikoff have gained
credence because the disciple who described them had the ability to
impress on his audience in a convincing fashion the one fact that made
a strong appeal--the possibility of long life. If those who are
zealous for any movement would study the psychology of advertising and
speak as forcefully as the legitimate advertiser, they would be more
persuasive and successful.

When an idea has won in a certain circle, it quickly spreads to the
other members, thence to active communities. So the universal law of
imitation may