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DEATHS IN INFANCY.
time to eternity. Before the fall, that is, amongst the race of beings, whose quality and character are represented by Adam in paradise, one may imagine that few, if any, died in childhood; for then society was comparatively perfect, and free from disease. There was no disease until there was sin, and without disease it is probable, that there would be no deaths in infancy. Even the advance we have made in outward civilization[1] has made a perceptible diminution in the deaths of children. In our own country, the deaths of infants have been fewer for some years, in proportion to adults, than formerly,[2] which must be in consequence of subjecting children to a more faithful obedience to the laws of creation.
- ↑ We speak of outward and inward civilization, by the first we mean, a knowledge of, and obedience to, the physical and moral laws of creation; by the latter, a knowledge of, and obedience to, the mental and spiritual laws of creation. These two kinds of civilization, when united together, constitute a perfect Christianity. Society is rapidly improving in the first, and the elements of progress in the second, also exist. And in proportion as both prevail amongst mankind, in the same proportion will man spiritually, and more or less naturally too, approach that state, which is mentioned by the prophet, "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die a hundred years old." 65 Is. 20.
- ↑ Registrar General's Reports.
