第43章 论胎教
§1
第43章 论胎教
§2
Chap. 43 - Prenatal Influences
§3
妇女应具有作母亲的资格——妇女们需有极大的忍耐，才够资格作母亲。上帝已命定她们须预备妥当，俾配承担这种工作。由于与基督联合，母亲的工作之重要性便是无可限量的。这种工作原是过于人所能测度的。妇女的任务是神圣的。家中须有耶稣的临格；由于母亲仁爱的服务，便可能使家庭成为一个伯特利。丈夫与妻子必须忠诚合作。倘若所有的母亲都将自己献在上帝的坛上，并将她们的孩子在诞生前后都奉献给上帝，那么我们所有的世界该是何等的佳美呢！[1]
§4
Women Should Be Qualified to Become Mothers.-- Women have need of great patience before they are qualified to become mothers. God has ordained that they shall be fitted for this work. The work of the mother becomes infinite through her connection with Christ. It is beyond understanding. Womans office is sacred. The presence of Jesus is needed in the home; for the mothers ministries of love may shape the home into a Bethel. The husband and the wife are to co-operate. What a world we would have if all mothers would consecrate themselves on the altar of God, and would consecrate their offspring to God, both before and after its birth! {AH 255.1}[1]
§5
胎教的重要性——许多作父母的都认为胎教是无足轻重的；但上天的看法却不然。上帝的天使曾两次以最庄严的态度传来重要的信息，证明这事值得我们加以缜密的思考。[2]
§6
Importance of Prenatal Influences.--The effect of prenatal influences is by many parents looked upon as a matter of little moment; but heaven does not so regard it. The message sent by an angel of God, and twice given in the most solemn manner, shows it to be deserving of our most careful thought. {AH 255.2}[2]
§7
上帝借着向那位希伯来母亲（玛挪亚的妻子）所说的话，也向各世代的母亲说话。天使说：“她都当谨慎，……凡我所吩咐的她都当遵守。”儿女的福祉必受母亲的生活习惯所影响。她的食欲和情绪都当受原则所管理。她若想成就上帝赐给她孩子时所有的旨意，就必须远避并谨防某些事物。[3]
§8
In the words spoken to the Hebrew mother [the wife of Manoah], God speaks to all mothers in every age. Let her beware, the angel said; all that I commanded her let her observe. The well-being of the child will be affected by the habits of the mother. Her appetites and passions are to be controlled by principle. There is something for her to shun, something for her to work against, if she fulfills Gods purpose for her in giving her a child. {AH 255.3}[3]
§9
世界充满了为青年人的脚步而设的网罗。绝大多数的人都醉心于自私的生活和肉体的享乐。他们看不清隐蔽的危险，以及在他们眼中似乎是幸福之道的可怖的终点。由于放纵食欲和情欲，他们虚耗了精力，而亿万的人在今生和来世都要灭亡了。作父母的应该记得：他们的儿女必遭遇这许多试探。即使在孩子尚未出世之前，那能使他在与罪恶作战时有得胜之望的准备就应当开始了。[4]
§10
The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are attracted by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion, their energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and for the world to come. Parents should remember that their children must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child, the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully the battle against evil. {AH 255.4}[4]
§11
假如在她的孩子诞生之前，她是任性、自私、急躁、刻薄的话，这些特征必在她孩子的性情上反映出来。因此，许多的孩子生来就带有几乎无法制胜的作恶倾向。[5]
§12
If before the birth of her child she is self-indulgent, if she is selfish, impatient, and exacting, these traits will be reflected in the disposition of the child. Thus many children have received as a birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil. {AH 256.1}[5]
§13
但是作母亲的若始终不渝地坚守正当的原则，她若厉行节制而善自克己，她若是仁慈、温和、无私的话，她就很可能将这些宝贵的品质传与她的儿女。[6]
§14
But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she is temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she may give her child these same precious traits of character. {AH 256.2}[6]
§15
分娩前所需的照顾——妇女在分娩前的生活与平时毫无二致，乃是习见的错误。在这重要的时期，应该竭力减轻母亲的操劳。她的体内正起着极大的变化。她需要更大量的血液，因此必须多吃那些富有营养的食物，俾能化为血液。倘若不充分地供给她滋养的食物，她就无法维持体力，而结果她儿女的精力便被剥夺了。她的衣着也必须加以注意。应该十分谨慎，免得身体受凉。她不可因穿着不够的衣服而无谓地消耗体热在皮肤上面。母亲若得不到充分增进健康而富有营养的食物，则她血液的质和量都必有所缺欠。她血脉的循环必欠佳，而且她的孩子也必有同样的情形。她的儿女必不能使所进用的食物变成良好的血液以保养体系。母子的健旺大半基于良好而暖和的衣服，以及富有营养的食物。[7]
§16
Essentials of Prenatal Care.--It is an error generally committed to make no difference in the life of a woman previous to the birth of her children. At this important period the labor of the mother should be lightened. Great changes are going on in her system. It requires a greater amount of blood, and therefore an increase of food of the most nourishing quality to convert into blood. Unless she has an abundant supply of nutritious food, she cannot retain her physical strength, and her offspring is robbed of vitality. [NOTE: SEE COUNSELS ON DIET AND FOODS, SECTION, DIET DURING PREGNANCY, FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON THIS POINT.] Her clothing also demands attention. Care should be taken to protect the body from a sense of chilliness. She should not call vitality unnecessarily to the surface to supply the want of sufficient clothing. If the mother is deprived of an abundance of wholesome, nutritious food, she will lack in the quantity and quality of blood. Her circulation will be poor, and her child will lack in the very same things. There will be an inability in the offspring to appropriate food which it can convert into good blood to nourish the system. The prosperity of mother and child depends much upon good, warm clothing and a supply of nourishing food. {AH 256.3}[7]
§17
母亲所处的环境应当密切注意，务求使之舒适愉快。作丈夫和父亲的人负有特别的责任，要尽其所能地减轻妻子和母亲的重担。他应该在可能范围之内分负她健康方面的重担。他须和蔼、有礼、亲切、温柔，特别注意她所有的需要。须知有些妇女在分娩时所得到的照顾，还不如马厩里的牲口所得到的一半呢！[8]
§18
Great care should be exercised to have the surroundings of the mother pleasant and happy. The husband and father is under special responsibility to do all in his power to lighten the burden of the wife and mother. He should bear, as much as possible, the burden of her condition. He should be affable, courteous, kind, and tender, and specially attentive to all her wants. Not half the care is taken of some women while they are bearing children that is taken of animals in the stable. {AH 257.1}[8]
§19
单以食欲为标准是不可靠的——由于妇女的情形特殊，因此可以放纵食欲的观念乃是一种基于风俗而不基于常识的错误。妇女们的胃口在这种情形之下可能是变化无常而不易满足的；可是习俗却容许她任意进食，丝毫不用理智想一想：这一类的食物能否供给她自身的需要，并维持她孩子的发育。食物应该是富有营养的，但不可含有刺激性。若有什么时期须进用简单的饮食，并且特别应该注意食物的性质的话，那就是在这段重要时期了。[9]
§20
Appetite Alone Not a Safe Guide.--The idea that women, because of their special condition, may let the appetite run riot is a mistake based on custom, but not on sound sense. The appetite of women in this condition may be variable, fitful, and difficult to gratify; and custom allows her to have anything she may fancy, without consulting reason as to whether such food can supply nutrition for her body and for the growth of her child. The food should be nutritious, but should not be of an exciting quality. . . . If ever there is need of simplicity of diet and special care as to the quality of food eaten, it is in this important period. {AH 257.2}[9]
§21
凡是注重原理并富有见识的妇女，在这种时期绝不会稍离饮食简朴的习惯，正如在其他时期一样。她们必考虑到另有一条生命仰赖着她们，也必注意她们的一切生活习惯，特别是饮食习惯。她们不可进用那些虽然美味可口，却毫无营养而含有刺激性的食物。太多的顾问都准备劝她们去作那些理智告诉她们不该作的事。由于父母的放纵食欲，往往便生出了体弱多病的孩子。[10]
§22
Women who possess principle, and who are well instructed, will not depart from simplicity of diet at this time of all others. They will consider that another life is dependent upon them and will be careful in all their habits and especially in diet. They should not eat that which is innutritious and exciting, simply because it tastes good. There are too many counselors ready to persuade them to do things which reason would tell them they ought not to do. Diseased children are born because of the gratification of appetite by the parents. . . . {AH 257.3}[10]
§23
若以大量的食物充塞胃部，甚至消化器官也被迫必须额外工作来加以处理，使体系中排除那些刺激性的质素，这样，母亲不但害了自己，也为她的儿女奠下了衰弱易病的基础。她若随心所欲而不顾后果地任意进用自己所嗜爱的食物，就必遭受惩罚，而且非但她本人如此；她无辜的儿女也必因她的不慎而受苦。[11]
§24
If so much food is taken into the stomach that the digestive organs are compelled to overwork in order to dispose of it and to free the system from irritating substances, the mother does injustice to herself and lays the foundation of disease in her offspring. If she chooses to eat as she pleases and what she may fancy, irrespective of consequences, she will bear the penalty, but not alone. Her innocent child must suffer because of her indiscretion. {AH 258.1}[11]
§25
克己和节制均属必要——母亲肉体方面的需要无论如何是不容忽视的。两条生命都依赖着她，所以应该细心地注意她的愿望，充分地供应她的需要。但是在这时期，她在饮食和其他方面却应当特别避免凡足以削弱她体力和智力的事物。根据上帝亲自颁布的命令，她已负有最严重的责任，必须运用其自制力。[12]
§26
Self-control and Temperance Are Necessary.--The mothers physical needs should in no case be neglected. Two lives are depending upon her, and her wishes should be tenderly regarded, her needs generously supplied. But at this time above all others she should avoid, in diet and in every other line, whatever would lessen physical or mental strength. By the command of God Himself she is placed under the most solemn obligation to exercise self-control. {AH 258.2}[12]
§27
母亲在未分娩之前实行严格的节制习惯，就可奠定未来那个人的正当品格之基础。不可忽视这项要训。[13]
§28
The basis of a right character in the future man is made firm by habits of strict temperance in the mother prior to the birth of her child. . . . This lesson should not be regarded with indifference. {AH 258.3}[13]
§29
当培养愉快知足的性情——每一位将要作母亲的妇女，不拘她的环境如何，都当时刻培养愉快知足的性情，须知她在这方面的努力，必在儿女的身体、道德，和品格方面得到十倍的报偿。不仅如此而已。她还可以养成思想愉快的习惯，这样便能促进欢乐的心情，并借此将她自己欢乐的精神反映于她的家人以及凡与她交往的人。而且她身体的健康必大大地增进。她生命的泉源必获得能力的倾注，血液也不再像她若陷溺于沮丧与忧闷时必有的情形那样滞缓地循环了。她的心智和道德方面的健康，因她的精神活泼便都显得生气蓬勃。意志力也就足以抵御思想所受到的印象，成为安抚神经最有效的镇静剂。凡被剥夺了父母所应遗传之生命力的孩子们，都当予以特别的照顾。借着密切地注意生理卫生的原则，便可能造成较佳的情况。[14]
§30
Encourage Cheerful, Contented Disposition.--Every woman about to become a mother, whatever may be her surroundings, should encourage constantly a happy, cheerful, contented disposition, knowing that for all her efforts in this direction she will be repaid tenfold in the physical, as well as the moral, character of her offspring. Nor is this all. She can, by habit, accustom herself to cheerful thinking, and thus encourage a happy state of mind and cast a cheerful reflection of her own happiness of spirit upon her family and those with whom she associates. And in a very great degree will her physical health be improved. A force will be imparted to the lifesprings, the blood will not move sluggishly, as would be the case if she were to yield to despondency and gloom. Her mental and moral health are invigorated by the buoyancy of her spirits. The power of the will can resist impressions of the mind and will prove a grand soother of the nerves. Children who are robbed of that vitality which they should have inherited of their parents should have the utmost care. By close attention to the laws of their being a much better condition of things can be established. {AH 258.4}[14]
§31
保持宁静信靠的态度——凡预备作母亲的妇女，都应保持她的心灵常在上帝的爱里。她的心境要平静；她应当憩息于耶稣的爱中，并实践基督的圣言。她应当记住：母亲是与上帝同工的。[15]
§32
Maintain a Peaceful, Trustful Attitude.--She who expects to become a mother should keep her soul in the love of God. Her mind should be at peace; she should rest in the love of Jesus, practicing the words of Christ. She should remember that the mother is a laborer together with God. {AH 259.1}[15]